9kg gas bottles

jimricho · Guru

9kg gas bottles

marydoll · Veteran Member

hi guys we are going on a long trip and we were wondering if you can carry extra gas bottle we have provision for 2 in our front boot but would maybe need an extra is this illegal hmm

sandsmere · Guru

I've seen quite a few people with an extra bottle on the roof racks , so I doubt it would be illegal .

The 9kg jobs fit into a milk crate .

The extra weight could be a problem for some rigs .

Zoomtopz · Guru

Mary I suppose if it is Standing UP & is pretty secure , I can't see why not .

Richo.

Gerty Dancer · Guru

9k's of gas lasts a long time, and you already have 2 cylinders so if one runs out you have a spare. Gas refills are available around the country so I really dont think you'd need a 3rd, and its a lot of extra weight that has to be secured.
Why not wait till you have used the first cylinder, and you know how long it lasted before deciding on a 3rd cylinder.

villatranquilla · Guru

What is your gas usage? -when we free camp we use a 9kg bottle every 2-3 weeks depending on how warm it gets as in winter we only run the fridge on 1. So if you are staying close to civilisation 2 bottles would probably suffice but keeping in mind the price rises steeply away from major centres - we paid $40 at Whyalla SA last year and would guess its much more in remote areas.

Keith19837 · Senior Member

marydoll wrote:
hi guys we are going on a long trip and we were wondering if you can carry extra gas bottle we have provision for 2 in our front boot but would maybe need an extra is this illegal

In Victoria it's O.K. if not in a passenger car (to the exact letter of the law, fuel can only be carried in the vehicle's fiited container meaning the fuel tank.) I know we all take the mower can to the servo etc and generally it's not commented on. Fuel can of course be carried if restrained in a commercial vehicle or a 'trailer' (c/van). Having said that, they must be restrained in an appropriate fitting (what's is 'appropriate'). Also be aware that even relatively moderate 'extra' weights at the extreme front or rear end of a trailer, c/van etc can greatly accelerate the 'pendulum effect' which can cause the van to sway or yaw moreso that it might otherwise do. Collyn RIVERS (the engineer turned author) has written a series of articles including one on caravan lengths, extra weight and the like. You can Google him on Collyn RIVERS articles. For what it's worth.

PS, I know that the NSW Fire Brigade stats are particular to NSW, but they are good common sense guidelines for those of us in Vic (or elsewhere) who do decide to put gas bottles in the car.

-- Edited by Keith19837 on Wednesday 13th of June 2012 10:43:50 PM

aussietraveller · Guru

confuse I believe the risk of carrying the extra bottle if not in a properly designed bracket and properly vented would well and truly exceed the minimal benefit obtained and as previously stated NSW Fire and Rescue advise not to do it and the RFS I am sure would agree. disbelief

jimricho · Guru

I suspect the requirements I quoted earlier are meant to enable one to take their BBQ bottle from home to a refilling centre and return. I concur with the other comments querying the need for a third cylinder.

brickies · Guru

I would not carry 1ml of LPG more than I would have to . If you had seen the result of carrying LPG in cars not in a proper carry capsule , Just fill your cylinder when it needs refilling it not that hard , The dollar you might save might not save your life

neilnruth · Guru

I agree with the others. 9kg (although they are now 8.5kg if you swap them!) goes a long way. See how long the first one lasts.

Cruising Granny · Guru

If you're free camping there will be times you may use open fire of some kind. I'm guessing that would save on the gas usage.
My gas usage is not the norm. I only cook on gas once or twice a month, freeze what I cook, then zap it when I choose to eat it.
I just swapped a bottle at Bunnings that I filled in Broome in 2007. I have another bottle which I swapped at Bunnings in Cairns.
Like I said, not typical usage.

marydoll · Veteran Member

Thank you guys for the feedback we were going bush and not near civilisation but have decided to make 2 gas bottles suffice, it was not to save a buck but to save a long trip if we did run out of gas and I was thinking of carrying extra bottle in caravan in crate but was sure I read somewhere the legal limit was 2 Happy trails

marydoll · Veteran Member

marydoll wrote:
Thank you guys for the feedback we were going bush and not near civilisation but have decided to make 2 gas bottles suffice, it was not to save a buck but to save a long trip if we did run out of gas and I was thinking of carrying extra bottle in caravan in crate but was sure I read somewhere the legal limit was 2 Happy trails

there is no such thing as a silly question so dont let people put you of asking

Two Strays · Senior Member

Hello Marydoll

Our usage rate on average is a 9KG bottle per month. Thats cooking,(hot plates, griller and oven) and gas hot water heater, (turned off while travelling and after the dinner dishes are washed, It is restarted when I get out of bed the next day for the breakfast). For small cooking tasks I use a portable gas stove.

One would suggest that two bottles would be sufficient, however, your choice.

Legendts · Senior Member

Some information passed on to me today from a friend.

Here is an interesting link and worthwhile reading.

www.elgas.com.au/blog/393-legality-of-gas-bottles-for-caravans-urban-myths

Pet-els · Veteran Member

Hi Marydoll, You are correct you can only carry two 9kg cylinders with your van, these must be restrained in an approved carrier.

PeterH

Baz421 · Guru

Legendts wrote:
Some information passed on to me today from a friend.

Here is an interesting link and worthwhile reading.

www.elgas.com.au/blog/393-legality-of-gas-bottles-for-caravans-urban-myths

Thanks Jeff great post, good info.