Auto-Trail Switching from Underslung LPG to Bottles

[ianthelawyer]

I have a new Expedition 67 on order from Auto-Trail. However, dealership has just been notified that due to a shortage of underslung LPG tanks they are fitting a gas locker for two 4.5kg bottles (butane) instead. Dealer says that space in locker would not be enough for a Gaslow system (34cm). Any suggestions anyone as intend to travel to Europe and therefore Calor not going to work and will be expensive?

 

[Basildog]

Where are the tanks made?

It varies but essentially European .

 

[Molly A]

It varies but essentially European .

Well, another brexit bonus.....

 

[Tony50]

Having had a Chausson with Diesel heating we were impressed, I wish we could find a Ducato or Merc. Camper van with Diesel heating and perhaps cooking as well

 

[glenn2926]

Well, another brexit bonus.....

I notice the answer was “ mostly European “ not EU, but you put your slant on it anyway eh? Why can’t people like you accept it? Is it something in your DNA, is it a physical problem, a mental problem, what?
I didn’t vote either way by the way.

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[Prop]

We have just booked to have a propex 12l underslung tank fitted in our VW t5 at their Ringwood workshop.

£700 for the fitting including bbq point, then extra for connecting up to the hob, it was £1100 for a gasit system so at least £1000 reduction sounds about right.

Underslung LPG Vapour Tanks - Propex Heating & Leisure

Underslung lpg vapour take of tank - VW t2 t3 t4 t5

propexheatsource.co.uk

Paul

 

[HelixA5]

We have an Autogas system retrofitted in our MH ready for the Euro touring season to start. We are very pleased with the system but was unsettled when I read a report suggesting that Total garages in France were not allowing bottles/tanks to refilled due to safety concerns. They were only allowing cars ...

 

[Barti Ddu]

To ianthelawyer and skyetripper - I hope you both enjoy your Expeditions when you get them. We ordered our 66 last November and took delivery the first week of July. It was one of the first ones with the gas locker rather than underslung tank. We too were very unhappy to say the least when we were informed about it 6 weeks prior delivery. Auto-trail's attitude was pretty shoddy but our dealer to be fair did what he could to keep us happy. We had 2x Gaslow bottles fitted by the dealer at no cost (the 2.7kg ones) plus an external filler in the rear side bumper moulding. I guess the benefit is that if autogas does disappear then it's easier to convert to calor than with an underslung tank. To make up for the reduced storage Auto-trail have added an extra cubbyhole in the side bench that claws some space back.

I was a bit concerned that the volume of LPG would be on the small side, but it hasn't proved to be a problem. We are currently 4 weeks into a European trip and we top up the autogas roughly every 7 or 8 days. We generally have about 25% remaining so could go longer. We cook daily, usually including the oven, and we both have hot showers so we are not going light on the gas. We are currently in the Picos De Europa where the last 2 nights temperatures have got to just one degree above freezing so are also using the heating - and again the gas is working out ok.

If you are intending to tour Europe I'd definitely recommend the 2x Gaslow system.

Hope the above provides reassurance.

Barti Ddu.

 

[Basildog]

We have just booked to have a propex 12l underslung tank fitted in our VW t5 at their Ringwood workshop.

£700 for the fitting including bbq point, then extra for connecting up to the hob, it was £1100 for a gasit system so at least £1000 reduction sounds about right.

Underslung LPG Vapour Tanks - Propex Heating & Leisure

Underslung lpg vapour take of tank - VW t2 t3 t4 t5

propexheatsource.co.uk

Paul

Don’t let them connect up your low pressure gas pipe work with thermoplastic pipe that they like using.
No other gas fitter , Gas safe , approved workshop etc will ever let it pass a gas test again

 

[Jim]

So you want to get your political digs in

Well, another brexit bonus.....

Knowing that its easy fishing

I notice the answer was “ mostly European “ not EU, but you put your slant on it anyway eh? Why can’t people like you accept it? Is it something in your DNA, is it a physical problem, a mental problem, what?
I didn’t vote either way by the way.

Molly see you in a week

Glenn, I've had enough of warning you about being rude, see you in a month.

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[skyetripper]

To ianthelawyer and skyetripper - I hope you both enjoy your Expeditions when you get them. We ordered our 66 last November and took delivery the first week of July. It was one of the first ones with the gas locker rather than underslung tank. We too were very unhappy to say the least when we were informed about it 6 weeks prior delivery. Auto-trail's attitude was pretty shoddy but our dealer to be fair did what he could to keep us happy. We had 2x Gaslow bottles fitted by the dealer at no cost (the 2.7kg ones) plus an external filler in the rear side bumper moulding. I guess the benefit is that if autogas does disappear then it's easier to convert to calor than with an underslung tank. To make up for the reduced storage Auto-trail have added an extra cubbyhole in the side bench that claws some space back.

I was a bit concerned that the volume of LPG would be on the small side, but it hasn't proved to be a problem. We are currently 4 weeks into a European trip and we top up the autogas roughly every 7 or 8 days. We generally have about 25% remaining so could go longer. We cook daily, usually including the oven, and we both have hot showers so we are not going light on the gas. We are currently in the Picos De Europa where the last 2 nights temperatures have got to just one degree above freezing so are also using the heating - and again the gas is working out ok.

If you are intending to tour Europe I'd definitely recommend the 2x Gaslow system.

Hope the above provides reassurance.

Barti Ddu.

Thanks for the info Barti

I’m looking forward to picking the van up, and much as I’m disappointed with the changes, the dealer has been helpful and I don’t think the small gas capacity will affect us too much. Medium term plan is to fit an under slung lpg tank alongside the calor if possible so we can switch between.

 

[Basildog]

Thanks for the info Barti

I’m looking forward to picking the van up, and much as I’m disappointed with the changes, the dealer has been helpful and I don’t think the small gas capacity will affect us too much. Medium term plan is to fit an under slung lpg tank alongside the calor if possible so we can switch between.

A 30 litre underslung LPG tank fits on the Expedition models nicely, we’ve done a few now with a fuel selection valve so the owners will have the option of bottles too .
Personally for me the twin 2.7 kg Gaslow system is way too small to be a practical long term solution for most owners .

 

[skyetripper]

Thanks Basildog. Whereabouts are you based - I assume Essex? I’ll need to find someone close to us, but not in a rush at the moment

 

[Blue Knight]

Personally for me the twin 2.7 kg Gaslow system is way too small to be a practical long term solution for most owners .

Couldn't agree more - I really can't see the point of having such a poor setup as a 2 x 2.7kg combo. It sounds to me as if Autotrail has made a real hash of it.

 

[Wh05apk]

Couldn't agree more - I really can't see the point of having such a poor setup as a 2 x 2.7kg combo. It sounds to me as if Autotrail has made a real hash of it.

And yet people keep buying them, so why should they change?

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[gus-lopez]

Couldn't agree more - I really can't see the point of having such a poor setup as a 2 x 2.7kg combo. It sounds to me as if Autotrail has made a real hash of it.

It is basically 2 x Gaz 907 cylinders. do anything other than boil a kettle & it will be used in no time.

 

[Wh05apk]

We've got 2x11kg, and really wouldn't want any less, heavy winter use, probably about 3-4 weeks, 2x 2.7kg we'd need to fill up weekly, which isn't always easy or convenient.

 

[Basildog]

Thanks Basildog. Whereabouts are you based - I assume Essex? I’ll need to find someone close to us, but not in a rush at the moment

Hi no we are actually in North Yorkshire
Autogas 2000 Thirsk

 

[skyetripper]

Ah. That’s a lot closer! Just assumed Basildog = Basildon

I’ll be in touch

 

[Basildog]

Here’s one we made earlier !
Expedition 67

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[skyetripper]

Excellent

 

[Langtoftlad]

Autogas 2000 Thirsk

Good reputation
Ask Chris Mr Chrysalis he had refillable done there recently
Thirsk is a nice town to while away a day or two
Thirst Racecourse CAMC is very convenient

 

[skyetripper]

I know Thirsk well and I’m sure I’ll be down there. Out of interest what’s the ‘current’ cost for installing a 30l underslung tank?

 

[Mr Chrysalis]

Good reputation
Ask Chris Mr Chrysalis he had refillable done there recently
Thirsk is a nice town to while away a day or two
Thirst Racecourse CAMC is very convenient

I was happy with the installation. Bit pricey though

 

[Excaliber]

Hi Basildog
I’m booked in for underslung fitting on Friday 12th November on my Swift, as your a member of the forum do you offer a discount to other members, this wasn’t raised when booking

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[Lenny HB]

5%

Broken Link Removed

 

[Excaliber]

Thanks Lenny, every little helps, as one well known brand states
I’ll ask the question when I arrive

 

[Basildog]

Thanks Lenny, every little helps, as one well known brand states
I’ll ask the question when I arrive

Hi Richard
Yes we do offer a 5% FUN discount as Lenny said

 

[Bri XZF]

I have a new Expedition 67 on order from Auto-Trail. However, dealership has just been notified that due to a shortage of underslung LPG tanks they are fitting a gas locker for two 4.5kg bottles (butane) instead. Dealer says that space in locker would not be enough for a Gaslow system (34cm). Any suggestions anyone as intend to travel to Europe and therefore Calor not going to work and will be expensive?

 

[LiamD]

Finally got round to having an underslung tank fitted - don't know why I waited so long, the bottles were unworkable.​

​

Basildog Thanks for an excellent job!​

​

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[ianp]

Basildog
Will an underslung tank usually fit on a Fiat with Alko chassis ? How deep do the chassis rails need to be?