Calor or Camping Gaz when abroad?

FIAMMA CARAVANSTORE AWNING
by DK42

Camperstop 2010 Book
by aircool

Camping Trevelez

Spain

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PeeJayBee · Newbie

Hi There, I am taking my caravan to France and Spain early next year. I have been told that Calor gas is not readily available over there. Is this true? I currently have 2 x 6kg propane bottles. I do however also have 2 x Camping Gaz (907) bottles from my camping days. What is the best advise? Should I take one of each? Thoughts from experienced continental tourers appreciated plus any other advice for Caravanning abroad. Thanks

blobsta · Moderator

Hi and welcome. Calor and Propane as we know it are not readily available in France. I also take 2 x 6kg Propane bottles away. Have done 10 weeks and still on the first bottle. 907s are easily replaced in Hypermarkets. If you are worried take a 907 with you. Depends how long you are going to be away.

Bob

PeeJayBee · Newbie

That's what I was thinking, its just that 907's are a lot more expensive to use. What do French Caravanners use? I am going to be away for between 3 to 6 months.

blobsta · Moderator

They use different bottles, different fittings etc. Tried to get some, but like here you have to have a contract to get the bottles. I believe in the UK we have rechargable bottles, that can be recharged abroad.

Try this.

http://gaslow.co.uk/pdf/Gaslow-2009-brochure.pdf

Bo b

PeeJayBee · Newbie

Thanks for your help Bob. That looks very interesting. I will digest it and see if there are adaptors or conversions that might suit.

blobsta · Moderator

Don't be fooled, it's a good system, but not cheap.

Bob

ocsid · Rally-er

As said Calor cant be exchanged [or legally refilled] over there so for your length of stay you are unlikely to have enough.
Note that Gaz is only Butane so if the temperature is below 6 deg C you will probably have issues with the larger demand items like space and water heating. And as you approach zero C then nothing will work. So it depends on the temperature if that will be viable.
In your position I would budget on buying a French or Spanish cylinder out there plus the appropriate regulator. Not needed to have done this but others on various web sites have and could advise.

If you are not taking your full quota of bottles to leave room for the new acquisition then make really sure you compensate your nose weight whilst "running light".

ubuntu1 · Weekender

If you have the bulk head mounted 30mb regulator then its straightforward. You can buy a french pigtail that attaches to the regulator and then connects to the bottle.

Search around and you can buy the pigtail in the UK or go to a hardware shop in france and purchase one there.

If you don't feel confident get a caravan engineer to do it in the UK before you leave.

PVC-DOCTOR · Weekender

Hi and welcome

We have just moved from a campervan we had a Gaslow 2 bottle system,
on board worked great ! just fill up where you can find a garage with l p g,we had adaptors to work in france/spain/germany.at approx 50p a ltr.
system quite axspencive approx £350. but if your away for a lengh of time could pay for its self.
try the link at top of thepage for Outdoor bits they are the cheapest about.

Regards The doc

PeeJayBee · Newbie

Many Thanks everyone for all your help. I like the idea of buying a French bottle whilst out there and having both systems available. I will take Gaz as well for back up as I know that is freely available. The Gaslow sounds good too but as I expect to make several longish stops I don't want to have to take the Caravan to the filling station when gas is needed. (or have I got that wrong?) Preferring to exchange bottles as we do here.

ocsid · Rally-er

Denboy · Rally-er

my take on this ( for what it's worth) is the same as Bob's.
I take two Calor 6KG propane both full ( I have a third bottle in use which I leave behind). In addition I take a 907 along for the ride. I've never used 6kg in my 4/6 weeks away, but in the unlikely event of using the two bottles I can fall back on the 907 which can be exchanged at the supermarket when necessary.
Of course I carry the tail needed .
The 907s are expensive but it's an easy answer to the problem and I'm all for making life simple.
Denboy

blobsta · Moderator

diesel · Newbie

Have you seen the extensive list of caravan and camping sites at www.outdoorholiday.co.uk [url=/home/c1051_caravan_~_camping_~_touring_~_holiday_parks_&_sites]caravan sites and camp sites[/url]

blobsta · Moderator