LPG CYLINDERS WITHIN THE EUROPEAN UNION

This information has been adapted from the website of the Caravan Club. For access to more of their leaflets (.pdf files) on motorhoming and caravanning in mainland Europe, click:

http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/Practical+advice/Overseas+advice/

Here is their advice on access to LPG when on Mainland Europe:

You will not find the same make of gas bottles on Mainland Europe as you do in the UK. If you are holidaying for a short time then it would be advisable to take sufficient gas supplies with you. But remember these must be stored securely in the motorhome in the position designated by its manufacturers. There are some regulations laid out by the ferry companies and Eurotunnel as to how much gas you are allowed to safely carry with you. Please check this with the relevant company prior to your journey.

What happens if you do run out of gas once you are on the continent? You will probably have to buy the local brand and a regulator to fit that bottle. Locally produced gas is generally cheaper and available in most countries other than Spain. The adaptor that you will need for the cylinders will come at an extra cost, around £16.

If you are touring through a few European countries, then Campingaz is readily available throughout Europe. However be warned that it may not be the most cost effective option and the maximum size of the cylinder available is limited.

The new EN1949 Standard has been brought in by the European Union to make travelling within the European Union much simpler and safer. As of September 2003, all UK caravan systems and appliances will start to be regulated to one pressure – 30 mbar. A single regulator will fit both propane and butane and will be permanently fitted to the caravan and not directly to the cylinder. The same system is being introduced for motorhomes, but not all manufacturers will have made the change in September 2003. A high pressure supply pipe from the cylinder is available to connect to all cylinders that are used throughout Europe.

Unfortunately some countries have yet to adopt this standard, however. Owing to the fact that this is new throughout Europe, we are unable to give advice as to which countries you may face difficulties in.

If you do have one of these new systems, we suggest that our hoses are probably not compatible with the gas bottles in the rest of the European Union. Therefore it would be necessary to purchase either a hose with an appropriate ending or an adaptor to be used on the end of it. As stated above this will come as an additional cost.

We suggest that people purchase a Campingaz adaptor. This will act as a safety net since, although not necessarily cost effective, if you do run out of gas Campingaz is readily available on the continent. These adaptors for use with 901, 906 and 907 cylinders are produced for retail by various suppliers (eg Gaslow International Ltd, part number 01-1665; Cavagna Group UK Ltd, part number CC01577). Gaslow also manufacture adaptors and hoses for use with various European bottles (www.gaslow.co.uk). Any good caravan accessory shop should stock these.

GAS IN SPAIN

The Cepsa Company sells butane gas cylinders and regulators, which are available in large stores, ferreterías (hardware stores) and petrol stations. The Repsol Company sells butane cylinders at their petrol stations throughout the country. It is understood that Repsol and Cepsa depots will refill cylinders (but The Caravan Club does not recommend this practice).

GAS IN FRANCE

Popular brands of gas which visitors have found to be economical and easy to use are Primagaz, Butagaz and Totalgaz. A loan deposit is required and motorhomers who are purchasing a cylinder for the first time should also purchase the appropriate regulator, as European pressures vary considerably.