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quoteEverything you need to know about gas in your caravan or motorhome…
Where would we be without gas?
It’s the primary fuel source for cooking and heating in your caravan or motorhome and – by and large, it’s a fuss-free, loyal servant.
That’s not to say it should be taken for granted. The safe and efficient working of your gas system is just one of the features that are assessed when an authorised technician services your vehicle. But, there’s still plenty you can do to make sure it all works properly – from checking for leaks to making sure you don’t run out of gas at the wrong moment.
There’s a clue in the name – liquefied petroleum gas (hence, LPG), to give it its full name – but it’s exactly that: a liquid when carried in the cylinder, it only turns to gas on release into the atmosphere.
Picking up the cylinder and giving it a shake is one way of checking how much gas there is left inside the bottle, but that can sometimes be harder than it sounds. There’s lots of other techniques we’ve heard about, such as pouring hot water down the side of the gas bottle and looking for a line of condensation, or feeling the side of the bottle for a change of temperature at the level of the gas.
You could also weigh the bottle, buy a magnetic indicator, or devices like Truma LevelControl or Truma GasLevel Check.
In this video, we go through all you need to know about gas in a caravan or motorhome.
Propane or butane?
These are the two types of gas commonly available to users of tourers and motorhomes – propane and butane.
Butane is more suited to milder weather conditions, hence is often the preferred gas of choice in campervans.
Most caravanners and motorhomers, however, prefer to use propane for its all-year-round capabilities, although some folk still like to switch from propane to more efficient butane in the summer months.
Normally, across the UK, propane comes in a red cylinder and butane in blue. However, there are some exceptions.
From 2004, caravans and most motorhomes (although not so many campervans) have been fitted with a 30mb fixed bulkhead regulator – this allows the use of propane or butane.
Which cylinder?
There’s no point in lugging around two large cylinders if your gas use is minimal. Similarly, some leisure vehicle users prefer to carry one large and one small cylinder, so they always have a back-up if a cylinder runs out.
A lot of folk get caught out when it comes to gas abroad. That’s because Calor cylinders (arguably the most popular in the UK) cannot be exchanged in mainland Europe. A typical fortnight’s break need not be a concern, but if you’re touring for longer or have a particularly high gas usage, do consider alternatives.
Whatever gas you use, you’re going to have to have a suitable connector.
Top gas tips
- We strongly advise that any work on the gas system in your leisure vehicle is carried out by qualified personnel. Start by checking out the service centre facilities provided by your supplying dealer.
- Do consider fitting a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm inside your vehicle. This will warn if there’s a build-up of potentially lethal carbon monoxide – a side-effect of burning gas. Normal ventilation will dissipate this, of course.
- Your motorhome or caravan should have individual isolator valves for each gas-burning appliance fitted. Ideally, these are easy to access (be warned, plenty aren’t), but it’s a good habit to get into turning off each appliance’s gas supply before travelling.
- Do not block gas vents. Most gas systems have appropriate “drop vents” at any junction in pipework – gas is heavier than air so there’s an immediate escape route in case of a leak.
- Also, that somewhat odious odour that is added to gas will help you detect a leak.
- If not already fitted to your vehicle, also consider appropriate caravan and motorhome fire safety gear, such as a fire extinguisher and fire blanket. If you do already have such items, check their expiry dates.
- Always transport cylinders – whether connected or not – in an upright position in the appropriate gas locker. Use the securing straps supplied.
- Rubber hosing should come with a date of manufacture stamped on it. It’s recommended to replace them within five years of that date.
- Always turn off the main gas control valve before embarking on a ferry when travelling across the continent.
There are a few ways you can make more of your vehicle’s gas system. Here, we look at just some of the enhancements you could consider.
Permanent gas tanks
These are becoming a much more common feature on motorhomes. Auto-Sleepers, for example, now fits gas tanks to nearly all of it models – van conversions and coachbuilts.
The advantages are twofold: it’s much cheaper to fill up with gas than exchanging a cylinder; and a permanent gas tank fitted underneath the vehicle (the usual location) actually frees up a lot of storage space that would have been taken by an in-board gas locker.
Having a gas tank fitted to your motorhome is sometimes possible. It usually depends on finding a suitable location for the tank.
External gas points
An increasingly popular feature on recent caravans and motorhomes – indeed, they can usually be retrofitted (it’s well worth asking about having such a fitting next time your vehicle is in for a service). An external gas point means you can hook up an outdoor appliance, typically a barbecue or other cooker, for use off your unit’s gas supply.
You’ll need to make sure you have sufficient piping to operate something like a barbecue well away from the vehicle itself (as well as any awning, if fitted). Never be tempted to use a gas appliance inside an awning.
Truma gas regulators
Truma introduced its MonoControl CS and Duo Control CS systems – for single and double-cylinder setups respectively – for the 2011 season. These replaced the previous SecuMotion system, but with the same principle – they allow safe use of the gas system (for example, if you want to heat the interior of your motorhome) whilst travelling. These systems can also be used throughout Europe.
Refillable gas
- Gaslow
This UK company has been around for over 35 years, introducing its refillable gas systems for motorhomes and caravans in 2004. You can refill at any of the thousands of gas stations (usually, a normal fuel station that also offers gas) across the UK, as well as abroad (when you’ll have to buy adaptors, depending on which countries you intend to visit).
The single Gaslow kit comprises a 2.7kg cylinder, filler bofy with brass bayonet fitting and 1500 mm filler hose, regulator hose, LPG filler mounting, regulator changeover head and continental fill adaptors.
Price from £327.25
More info www.gaslowdirect.com
- Safefill
Safefill offers something different – you buy a lightweight cylinder that’s refillable.
It’s light. You can see exactly how much gas you have left. And it’s refillable at any LPG dispensing pump (usually, fuel stations serving autogas).
The price below is for a 5kg cylinder, which takes 8.5 litres. Two other sizes are available – 7.5kg (14.5 litres) and 10kg (19.5 litres).
As a guide to weights, the 5kg cylinder is some 3.4kg when empty and 8.4kg when full. The cost to fill, based on a typical current average of 94p per litre, is £8.93*. Adaptors are available for refilling abroad.
Price from £201.99
More info www.safefill.co.uk
Checking how much gas is left
Some gas cylinders will come with a built-in indicator, and there’s a variety of techniques fellow caravanners will share to check those gas levels.
Check out our handy video on how to check how much gas is left in the cylinder.
Useful contacts
Over to you…
Got any gas advice you want to share with other readers? Or just a funny tale about running out at the wrong time…? Feel free to share in the comments box below.
*Prices and information correct at the time of publication (November 2025)
We have an Adria Vision 1707SL and travel back and forth to the UK from Spain where it was originally purchased. Your article wasn’t clear about the connections to the gas bottle. We purchased the van after it had been imported to England and someone had installed a single Calor gas bottle (the gas compartment is designed for two smaller European gas bottles). Gas bottles are significantly cheaper in Spain (about £20) so I am converting it back but was going to use the press on connection commonly used for gas appliances in Spain. Do you have any concerns about that?
Hi Philip, thanks for your comment.
We do aim to cover the key points in our videos without going too deep into technical details that might not apply to most viewers, so your question is a great example of where specialist advice is important.
When modifying or converting or modifying gas systems, we strongly recommend consulting an AWS-approved engineer. They’ll be able to assess your specific setup, advise on any compatibility or safety issues, and make sure that any work carried out meets the necessary standards. In many cases, they might also be able to complete the conversion for you as a professional service. Hope this helps?
Liz
I have an on board gas tank in my campervan and am now having a problem finding anywhere to refill the gas tank. Most garages have stopped selling LPG in favour of EV facilities.
For users if refillable LPG there us a great app (my Lpg) which covers Europe. If I find a filling station with LPG I just go in and fill. Don’t make a point of asking. Once its in your bottle, that’s it. I do have a niggle with companies who charge a surcharge of £5 if your fill charge is less than £10. Garage in Penrith!!!
Thank you CG for the info . Excellent write ups keep them coming.
Thank you
Traveling in central europe we carry 2x 13kg propane, all supermafkets sell these, 5 euro for bottle,33 euro for gas ie 33 euro for exchange. Bottle lasts 4 weeks depending on outside temperature. Supermarkets are open 8 untill8 monday to saturday, 9 untill 12.30 sun day. Many supermarkets have auto bottle exchanges 24/7 availability, simpless ehh?
We’ve (that’s my wife and I) recently purchased a Fiat Ducato Elddis Evolution CV20 Campervan, previous to this we’ve 2 Caravans, then 3 large Motorhome’s over a 45 year period, so I like to think I know quite a bit about their gas systems, types of gas: Methane/Propane, gas bottle types/sizes. However our new CV20 Campervan has an integral gas system which I’m still on the learning curve with.
I can find in the documentation it does have a gas regulator cut off in the event of sudden loss of pressure, example fracture of fixed pipes or flexible hose, there is no mention of as you’ve stated Liz of a “‘crash safe’ regulator which includes a deceleration sensor that automatically cuts off the gas in the event of an accident”. Two of my previous Motorhome’s manuals whilst stating that the gas systems could be used whilst travelling (in motion), they recommended the gas should be turned off at the gas bottle for greater safety. Our 2025 CV20 Campervan’s manual states to turn the gas off before travelling. It doesn’t have a readily accessible central isolation valve, it states in the manual the three valves on the supply manifold: Cooker/Hob, Space Heater, Water Heater, should be turned off prior to travelling.
Brownhills from which we purchased the CV20. When asked where we might get LPG autogas refills informed us they have that facility should we have difficulty finding one in our area, we live in Lincolnshire 50 miles from Brownhills of Newark (other dealers are available for CV20’s).
I mention this because I was considering such as Morrisons gas filling stations but the other day received notification to the effect:
Morrisons supermarkets, or more specifically, the Motor Fuel Group (MFG) which now operates their forecourts, has largely stopped allowing the refilling of portable LPG bottles due to health and safety concerns and related insurance issues…
…The current policy generally prohibits refilling all portable LPG bottles, including “Safefill” cylinders, and non-automotive LPG tanks. While some locations might still allow refilling of permanently mounted, certified underslung tanks on vehicles, this is not consistent across all sites.
So don’t assume because Morrisons have previously sold autogas that you can still get it from them, and I sincerely hope this doesn’t start a trend with previous other suppliers of autogas.
Average 65p a litre!! That’s a bit out of date. More like 99p in UK. Still good price though
Apologies Ron – those prices are out of date. We’ve updated to current prices of 94p
Morrisons supermarkets have autogas at many of their outlets
Brilliant and very helpful article! Covers just about everything we needed to know about using gas in our old VW motorhome. Thank you!
Currently converting a Mercedes sprinter. I have purchased a refillable Gas Tank. Are there requirements for a gas locker, I’ve seen some mention best practices would be a metal gas locker or a wooden locker that is metal lined. If opting for the wooden locker, what metal should be used to line the locker? Thank you
Get a Safefill. Gas is about a quarter of the ripoff prices that Calor charge for an exchange bottle. It’s lighter in weight and, being translucent, you can see how much LPG you have.
Great article, thanks very much for sharing.
One point I’m not 100% clear on though, is whether the regulations in the UK allow me to drive my campervan without turning off the main gas supply?
My campervan has a propane tank, which is only used to supply gas to the hob, nothing else. In this situation, so long as I turn off the isolator to the hob (located right next to the hob), am I ok to drive without also having closed the valve on the top of the tank?
Although it’s not illegal to have the gas turned on, there are obvious potential dangers, for example when going onto a petrol station forecourt with a naked flame. It is also a mandatory requirement for gas system installations to have a ‘crash safe’ regulator which includes a deceleration sensor that automatically cuts off the gas in the event of an accident, plus the ability to cut off the supply in the event of sudden pressure loss. If your campervan is older and doesn’t have such a regulator fitted, the vehicle must have permanent labelling to indicate that the gas system must not be used while the vehicle is in motion.
Hope this helps?
Hi, ive just bought a 2013 motorhome with a Dometic Oven & Stovetop with 3 gas 1 electric elements. Ive turned on the gas at bottles but not getting gas through to the
Elements on stove top. Also when i switch on the electric hotplate the red light flashes between settings but doesnt stay on & the plate doesnt heat up. ? Can anyone give me advice on this please. PS. The previous owners cant give me advice as they never used stove or oven , They ate out every night ?
Hi Irwin, have you tried to contact Dometic or your motorhome manufacturer? https://www.dometic.com/en-gb/uk/contact-us
Hi, I’m trying to get rid of a silver Caravangas bottle (not Calor) that the previous owners have left in my new flat, but can’t find out where to take it. Can anyone help please?
On our motorhome we have two 11kg refillable gas tanks with a point outside where we can fill up at lpg stations is there anyway the outside filler point coyuld be used as an outlet for a outside bbq or can the gas only go in and not out?
Hi Steve, you can’t use the outside filler point, it’s an inlet only. Speak to your local motorhome service centre for more advice.
Hi! Does anyone know where we can fill up our camper van tank with PLG around Runcorn in Cheshire please. Going away for the weekend and would hate the heating to go offThank you
Is Calor gas the same as butane. Can I use butane in a calor heater
Calor will supply either butane or propane gas bottles. Butane is fine for fuelling portable gas heaters. You can find out more here: https://www.calor.co.uk/butane
We have recently (May 2019) taken delivery of a new small 2 person Pod type caravan. The gas bottle for the gas rings is located in a vented cupboard within the living space. We occasionally thought we could detect a slight gas smell and just today traced it to the bottle storage cupboard. I had fitted, previously, a Gaslow gauge and quick release wheel to the bottle which I checked regularly (distrusting my own work). My wife had contacted the dealership to find out if this smell was normal and they replied “had we undone anything”? Today I used soapy water and traced a substantial leak on the wall-mounted regulator in a joint for the pipe going to the gas hob and nothing to do with the valve I had fitted. Should I have the system checked by a qualified gas fitter & who should pay?
We’d suggest taking it back to the dealership for them to investigate and liaise with the manufacturer.
Hey thanks for sharing this, it was really helpful.
where can I find a list of places to fill an underslung tank on my motorcaravan?
How long can you keep your gas mins 3 years old but not used much of it is it safe to still use
Hi Cheryl, there are recommendations for replacing the rubber pipes on your cylinder – typically, within five years of manufacture (the date for which should be stamped on the hose itself). It’s also recommend to replace regulators every 10 years. It might be an ideal opportunity to book your caravan/motorhome in for a service and ask the engineer m for advice?
Hi Cheryl, there are recommendations for replacing the rubber pipes on your cylinder – typically, within five years of manufacture (the date for which should be stamped on the hose itself). It’s also recommend to replace regulators every 10 years. It might be an ideal opportunity to book your caravan/motorhome in for a service and ask the engineer for advice?
I’ve just purchased a mobile catering unit. My question is this can my gas bottle be inside the external cupboard when in use. I’ve been told 2 different answers.
The bottle is propane, attached by black hose to the regulator which is all within the cupboard.
Thank
You
I have installed Gaslow systems three times now without any problems. It is easy to tighten connections correctly – and to my surprise, when I had to visit Gaslow to resolve a problem with a faulty regulator they used sealant on the threads of the connectors – I’d been told that was quite incorrect.) The gauges now fitted to these cylinders will show if any of the connections are leaking (turn off all appliances within your ‘van, leave the cylinder valve open and check the gauge after half an hour to see if it has moved – and if it hasn’t, just for assurance, check it again after another half hour: if it hasn’t moved, your connections are all gas-tight.
Much more demanding is creating a gas-tight conduit for the filler pipe if that pipe has to pass through the habitation zone: it can involve drilling holes at awkward angles, in tight corners. I’ve done it twice now but it was hard work – and would probably have cost me a small fortune if I’d left it to my local dealer. I wish I’d taken photographs – I’m sure they would have been helpful to anyone else having to do the same.
As an aside, I’ve also re-routed gas pipes in the habitation zone which had been badly installed and again, have found no difficulty in making gas-tight connections. However, I HAVE ALWAYS HAD ANY WORK I’VE DONE TESTED AND CERTIFIED BY MY LOCAL DEALER – essential if you are to satisfy your insurer.
Hi very good article. No mention of planned discontinuation of calor lite bottles though. These have been excellent and handy gauge will be lost?
can we ask why we have to go back to heavy steel propane bottles??
I have an underslung gas tank which frees up a significant amount of space in my small (<6m) motorhome which now houses a generator and barbecue as well as other odds and sods!. It works very well and costs around £15 for a full refill (25l) this lasts about two weeks off grid or 5-6 weeks on. I have an app on my phone for the whereabouts of refilling points and a five bar indicator contents gauge which gives me ample time to get it refilled. The only problems so far was when the gauge went wrong and we ran out of gas but that was fixed free of charge. The unit was supplied and fitted by Propex heating and cost about £600. Expensive but I think worth it. I hope this is helpful?
Thanks John. Sounds like a worthwhile investment.
I like that!
NOTHING on this site regarding DIY fitting of refillable system and affects with insurance or safety issues? Is there any regulation or requirement for a gas certificate if DIY?
Hi Pete
Where a vehicle is used for private/social use then the fitter of any systems or modifications should be ‘competent’.
We would recommend that any DIY fitment of a gas system is checked and certified by a suitably qualified engineer. This could be at a local caravan workshop or by searching the Gas Safe web site for a suitably qualified installer in your area. Caravan workshop personnel are trained specifically to work on LPG in caravans and motorhomes and receive certification known as STGW (Standards of Training in Gas Work).
From an insurance point of view you must take all steps to safeguard your caravan or motorhome, equipment and personal possessions against damage. The property insured must be maintained in a sound and roadworthy condition and all precautions taken to prevent and minimise any claims. We would need to be made aware of any modifications to a motorhome and need to be confident that the person who has carried out the modification is suitably qualified or has the relevant skills to carry out the change to the correct standard. If not, we do need to run the modification past our underwriters Royal and Sun Alliance (RSA) for approval.
Useful article thanks. Was interested to hear about the Gas Genie. Was tempted but the online reviews are appalling so think I’ll give it a miss.
We have just got an Burford Duo Autosleeper this year and it has the under slung gas tank. So good so far. Very cheap gas but you do have to plan where you are getting your gas from as not all petrol stations have it.
Very useful. But will the trume levelcheck work on the calor lite?
Hi Brian
The Truma Level check can’t be used on Calor Lite bottles. It can’t be used for plastic cylinders, butane cylinders, gas tanks or refillable gas tanks.
There’s more information here and I’ve updated the article: http://www.levelcheck.com/uk/
Very useful tips
Clear and simple factual presentation.
Gas-It also do refillable systems.
A very interesting article. Some very good points .
Very good information given. Thanks.
I carry a weighing scale, the sort you use to weigh your suitcase, cost about a fiver. I compare with the empty weight (called tare weight) on the bottle.note this is in pounds and ounces. Have not had to change the bottle yet but the method works for patio gas.
Very clear to understand
My Calor Gas Lite indicator went from full to low very quickly, within a week, but still giving gas a couple of weeks later. How accurate are these built in indicators?
Very useful information, was not aware that so many options were available, will check my bottles for continental use.