I'm getting my tow unit (F150) ready for my life as a Grey Nomad. I currantly run on LPG and petrol. It has been suggested that I go for LPG only.
So my question is. Is LPG readily available all around Australia. I do not plan to go that far off of the beaten track.
Cheers
(30 months to go.)
Kiwimagic.
exa41 said
11:16 AM Jul 22, 2014
I hope so Kiwimagic because I am in the same boat, I have a coaster with a holden 308.110 ltrs of gas plus 65 petrol which should give me a range of 800 plus kms. Now they tell me that gas is not cheap but is fairly available which suits me because I mainly run on gas and use the petrol for backup .
PJK said
11:40 AM Jul 22, 2014
Depends entirely where you want to travel.
I once looked at an imported American motor home that ran on gas only.
There is a website that lists all servos that have gas, and I determined that I needed a range of over 800 km to use that motor home.
The installed tank only gave a range of 300 km, so no deal for me.
Of course, that also only assumes that the servo will have gas when you get there.
There have been some stories of travellers waiting weeks in outback locations for the gas delivery.
Diesel is the way to go.
Peter
PJK
fpw said
11:44 AM Jul 22, 2014
hi we have traveld around this great country a lot and never had any probs getting gas any where all the best fw
deverall11 said
11:51 AM Jul 22, 2014
PJK wrote:
Depends entirely where you want to travel. I once looked at an imported American motor home that ran on gas only. There is a website that lists all servos that have gas, and I determined that I needed a range of over 800 km to use that motor home. The installed tank only gave a range of 300 km, so no deal for me.
Of course, that also only assumes that the servo will have gas when you get there. There have been some stories of travellers waiting weeks in outback locations for the gas delivery.
Diesel is the way to go.
Peter PJK
Ditto. Maybe the way to go is to keep the petrol in reserve in case there is no gas and travel to the next fuel stop. Alternatively, you may be able to ring ahead and check on availability.
Larry
Roving-Dutchy said
12:07 PM Jul 22, 2014
Why do away with dual fuel if that is what you already have?
I have just come back from my local mechanic and he has a MH in there for LPG tanks to be tested, which are at there 10 year recertification time and he found that the fitting of the tanks will not pass, they are not installed by the book, also the cost of the fittings that need to be replaced will add up to a very large bill, that is if the installation can be made legal, all 3 tanks are too close to the ground
Cheers
David
KeenTravellers said
12:21 PM Jul 22, 2014
Hey Kiwimagic
I have a 100 Series Toy on LPG (72 litres filling in a 95L tank) & Petrol pulling 2.2ton which I mainly run on Gas. I have never really had a problem but have kept the petrol really for if - an when - I ever DO run into a problem and get great range when out and about. I also run a flashcard which adds additional maps to the std computer mapping to increase ecconomy etc. $149 avg 15-16L/100klm = 18.74 M/P/G which Im happy with towing
If your gas is tuned right, (which does make a huge difference and should be done regularly) you should pull quite a few miles with it...obviously depending on your load and road conditions of course. I have never really had an issue getting gas anywhere except that it can be a few miles between fills which needs to be planned which we do when stopped. I would recommend keeping the petrol to be safe / trouble free and as a good backup. Also it doesnt hurt to run the donk on petrol each month to keep it clean etc and working well.
The cost of maintaining the gas system is minimal - if you have the latest modern system fitted by someone with years in the trade. My tank is behind the second seats between the wheel arches which is perfect. (we dont have the third row of seats in - even though they can be fitted if I really need to). I just had mine serviced (now 3 years old & 80k ) again for less than $233 and that was a biggie (all filters + all new high temp plugs and dyno tune etc.) runs like a dream. The new systems are nothing like the ones 5 years ago....same principle of course but much better technology.
Mine starts on Petrol each time and auto switches after approx 60-90 secs of warming up. (can start on or manual select either) Also I run the gas completely empty - I mean right out - then run on petrol until I reach the next station with a good price...(Free Smartphone app to find who/where/ and how much.) Makes life easy.. and really - isnt that what you want when you out and about.
Cheers
KT
-- Edited by KeenTravellers on Tuesday 22nd of July 2014 12:29:55 PM
-- Edited by KeenTravellers on Tuesday 22nd of July 2014 12:30:21 PM
Kiwimagic said
12:35 PM Jul 22, 2014
Thanks to all whom replied.
OK,
Mind made up.. will retain the dual fuel.......... just in case. Never hurts to have a back fuel option.
Engine reco and will add another LPG tank as well.
Only getting about 4k per litre at the moment.
I love my Truck.......
exa41 said
03:00 PM Jul 22, 2014
Hi Km ,4 Km per ltr isn`t too bad when you are pulling all that weight , The coaster was running at 2.3Km/ltr until I updated the gas system and now runs at an average of 4.5/5 Km/ltr or approx. 14 MPG , not too bad I guess.
Dougwe said
04:36 PM Jul 22, 2014
I have very recently got rid of a 1998 Toyota Prado gas/petrol, thank goodness. It would have at to be THE most Uneconomical tug on the road. Due to the poor economy I found it difficult finding LPG in central NSW and central Q'land. I found LPG not available in a lot of places. OK in the bigger towns and Cities.
One thing I did find though when I managed to get some in out of the way places and mainly in Q'land for some reason, the tug performed rough as if the LPG was of a poorer quality. I had heard that as well but that is another discussion and one I am not starting as it has been done to death in the past.
Kiwimagic said
06:34 PM Jul 22, 2014
That is the fuel consumption before towing anything, Tray empty.
Can only get worse. Not too much I hope.
Still have to add 1100 cc motor bike on the back of Truck and a 22Ft caravan.
Got plenty of horses under the bonnet.
Just love my truck.
Hylda&Jon said
07:02 PM Jul 22, 2014
We have a duel fuel LPG/petrol Landcruiser and I only used the LPG after we unhooked the van and roaming around checking out the countryside.
I found the car struggled a bit when towing on LPG and also with the prices of LPG in many remote parts of Australia it often is cheaper to run on petrol.
I would never risk running just LPG as sometimes the one service station that sells LPG in a town may not be open on the weekend or is out of gas then you would be stuck.
Cheers
Jon
Herb said
07:38 PM Jul 22, 2014
We have a lpg/petrol landcruiser and have just spent 5 months in outback queensland. NOT off the beaten track and mainly on good roads. FORGET getting gas. We found it very hard to fine outside main areas. Also we found that the landcruiser really struggled using gas in the heat. Petrol is readily available even tho at times can be dodgy (second filter helps). Those that think you can get gas anywhere good for you, hope you have petrol backup, we were told that before we went to find out you cant!
Cost wise LPG is expensive outside main centres, we found in one place $1.60. Keep in mind y0u may need to drive 300Kms between petrol stations, not all servos sell LPG even in cities.What I do is keep LPG full for safety reasons and carry spare petrol containers.
Hi All
I'm getting my tow unit (F150) ready for my life as a Grey Nomad. I currantly run on LPG and petrol. It has been suggested that I go for LPG only.
So my question is. Is LPG readily available all around Australia. I do not plan to go that far off of the beaten track.
Cheers
(30 months to go.)
Kiwimagic.
I once looked at an imported American motor home that ran on gas only.
There is a website that lists all servos that have gas, and I determined that I needed a range of over 800 km to use that motor home.
The installed tank only gave a range of 300 km, so no deal for me.
Of course, that also only assumes that the servo will have gas when you get there.
There have been some stories of travellers waiting weeks in outback locations for the gas delivery.
Diesel is the way to go.
Peter
PJK
hi we have traveld around this great country a lot and never had any probs getting gas any where all the best fw
Ditto. Maybe the way to go is to keep the petrol in reserve in case there is no gas and travel to the next fuel stop. Alternatively, you may be able to ring ahead and check on availability.
Larry
I have just come back from my local mechanic and he has a MH in there for LPG tanks to be tested, which are at there 10 year recertification time and he found that the fitting of the tanks will not pass, they are not installed by the book, also the cost of the fittings that need to be replaced will add up to a very large bill, that is if the installation can be made legal, all 3 tanks are too close to the ground
Cheers
David
Hey Kiwimagic
I have a 100 Series Toy on LPG (72 litres filling in a 95L tank) & Petrol pulling 2.2ton which I mainly run on Gas.
I have never really had a problem but have kept the petrol really for if - an when - I ever DO run into a problem and get great range when out and about.
I also run a flashcard which adds additional maps to the std computer mapping to increase ecconomy etc. $149 avg 15-16L/100klm = 18.74 M/P/G which Im happy with towing
If your gas is tuned right, (which does make a huge difference and should be done regularly) you should pull quite a few miles with it...obviously depending on your load and road conditions of course.
I have never really had an issue getting gas anywhere except that it can be a few miles between fills which needs to be planned which we do when stopped.
I would recommend keeping the petrol to be safe / trouble free and as a good backup. Also it doesnt hurt to run the donk on petrol each month to keep it clean etc and working well.
The cost of maintaining the gas system is minimal - if you have the latest modern system fitted by someone with years in the trade. My tank is behind the second seats between the wheel arches which is perfect. (we dont have the third row of seats in - even though they can be fitted if I really need to). I just had mine serviced (now 3 years old & 80k ) again for less than $233 and that was a biggie
(all filters + all new high temp plugs and dyno tune etc.) runs like a dream. The new systems are nothing like the ones 5 years ago....same principle of course but much better technology.
Mine starts on Petrol each time and auto switches after approx 60-90 secs of warming up. (can start on or manual select either) Also I run the gas completely empty - I mean right out -
then run on petrol until I reach the next station with a good price...(Free Smartphone app to find who/where/ and how much.) Makes life easy.. and really - isnt that what you want when you out
and about.
Cheers
KT
-- Edited by KeenTravellers on Tuesday 22nd of July 2014 12:29:55 PM
-- Edited by KeenTravellers on Tuesday 22nd of July 2014 12:30:21 PM
OK,
Mind made up.. will retain the dual fuel.......... just in case. Never hurts to have a back fuel option.
Engine reco and will add another LPG tank as well.
Only getting about 4k per litre at the moment.
I love my Truck.......
One thing I did find though when I managed to get some in out of the way places and mainly in Q'land for some reason, the tug performed rough as if the LPG was of a poorer quality. I had heard that as well but that is another discussion and one I am not starting as it has been done to death in the past.
That is the fuel consumption before towing anything, Tray empty.
Can only get worse. Not too much I hope.
Still have to add 1100 cc motor bike on the back of Truck and a 22Ft caravan.
Got plenty of horses under the bonnet.
Just love my truck.
We have a duel fuel LPG/petrol Landcruiser and I only used the LPG after we unhooked the van and roaming around checking out the countryside.
I found the car struggled a bit when towing on LPG and also with the prices of LPG in many remote parts of Australia it often is cheaper to run on petrol.
I would never risk running just LPG as sometimes the one service station that sells LPG in a town may not be open on the weekend or is out of gas then you would be stuck.
Cheers
Jon
Cost wise LPG is expensive outside main centres, we found in one place $1.60. Keep in mind y0u may need to drive 300Kms between petrol stations, not all servos sell LPG even in cities.What I do is keep LPG full for safety reasons and carry spare petrol containers.