Ladies and gents, heeeelp please! Showing our complete lack of experience in the caravan game, we are wondering if we should rely on exchange gas bottles or carry our own for re-filling on a trip over the Nullarbor and beyond? Any advice much appreciated.
The reason they are putting less lpg in swap and go cylinders is for safety . An over filled cylinder is dangerous has if you fill a cylinder over the 80% mark and your valve get a leak liquid will escape not gas , If liquid escapes when reaching the air it expand 270 to 1 and that can cause a very big bang .
just finishing a trip from Adelaide to Darwin, back to Adelaide via the Kimberleys and West Coast.
We have 2 cylinders on our van. I don't know how you camp, but we do about 10% Free camp/Rest area, and about 90% caravan park. During this trip we have had no issues getting gas, needing refills in Darwin (bottle had been started before this trip), and then in Geraldton, about 9 weeks later (new bottle started in Darwin), and including a higher proportion (probably 15%) of free camping with fridge and HWS running on gas. So we get between 9 and 12 weeks out of a bottle when on a trip.
When going over the Nullarbor, I would just make sure at least one of your bottles is full and you will be fine. That section of the trip could be done in 2 days, we did it in 4 without rushing, and you could take a week if you wanted to look at some more of the places, but gas will not be a problem.
As for bottles, I would always use my own and get refilled, as it is too easy to end up with close to date bottles, as our son did, when his partner of the time went to swap and go with his new bottle, and got one 8 years old!
As an aside, I found BCF (if in the towns you are) are the best with prices, paying just $24 or $25 in both Darwin and Geraldton, for our refills.
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Regards Ian
Chaos, mayhem, confusion. Good my job here is done
I had a 9Kg bottle filled in Bundaberg at Bundy Hot Gas for $22. They are in Brickworks Ct in the industrial area. That is half of what it cost in Broome 2 years ago.
"......... went to swap and go with his new bottle, and got one 8 years old!"
What is the problem? Bottles are good for 10 years then retested. You will probably get another newer bottle next time.
I have never had a problem exchanging an out of date bottle along as the bottle is not damaged or badly rusted.
The swap and go mob can't keep only new bottles nor is it practical to check them all for one the same age as yours. To get into the system, you need a bottle to swap. This can be new or old.
Coles fuel outlets have swap n go for $25.00. If buying fuel at the same time & use a shopper docket They then give a further 10cents off fuel price. Last month took advantage as I only used 135 litres of fuel that worked out the LPG cost me $11.50. Guess most are only going to save 5-6 $ with smaller tanks but worth considering.
Used both . Just watch what some places charge ! Like service stations . Nearly $60 for exchange . Your kidding !! I asked the locals where the best place is to fill ., Saved us big time . Yes having two bottles helps . I get Atleast 3 weeks out of each bottle .. Cooler nights help 3 way too ..? I've had one bottle which seemed empty yet felt full . Even by weight on scales . I assume it was full of oil or something ? I took it back to Bunnings ( Perth) the gave me another bottle . On our own or sun up we used our generator to heat water for tea etc ..
Ian hit it spot on gas refills are readly avaiable in most towns at a cost but as expected the bigger towns with BCF Getaway,s or BBQ Galours are very much cheaper .We did 3 weeks with 1 9kg bottle fridge 100% on gas some cooking and of course HWS so having 2 bottles keeping one full gives the oppunity to get to cheaper gas . The last van the Coromal only had 1 bottle I brought an adaptor small bottle to the large and got 5 days out of a small 3kg bottle 1 day resting up rest we were travelling 5 hrs a day so again running fridge cooking and HWS.
We recently crossed the Nullarbor with 2 9KG gas bottles. We free camped about 20% and when in caravan parks our HWS was on electricity. Long and short we filled a gas bottle in Perth and then again when we got home. Total trip time of 14 weeks.
There is a trick in this (I filled these bottles when I worked in my Dads hardware store) most refills are now 80% which is the start of the white spurting from the vent. I ask to over fill them which is when the white comes out in a stream. ITS NOT UNSAFE! as the bottles are tested to 3000 psi. We never have a problem.
At the end of the day its up to you HOWEVER they charge the same for 80% as they do for an overfill.
Cheers
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Ex RAAF, now retired. EX Electrician/Teacher.
Homebase is Murray Bridge Tourist Park (in a cabin). New Horse.. 2020 Ford Everest Titanium, Jayco swan for touring.
I have a Jayco Conquest which originally had 2 x 4 Kg gas bottles, I replaced one with a 9 Kg size bottle (8˝ Kg of gas), as with one 9 Kg bottle in the compartment I was unable to fit the second one through the hatch opening.
The swap and go bottles are refillable by others, as they have the same decanting valve fitted
I only stop at free camps and use gas for the fridge, cooking, and hot water for the shower. I find that the 9 Kg bottle will last for just less than 3 weeks, and the 4 Kg will last for over 1 week
We have 2x9kg bottles on the drawbar and I would advise against getting a swap or refill in country towns. Last year Jurien Bay ~$45, Wyndham ~$50 & this year Bencubbin ~$40, yet you can get them in major towns for Less than $30. (need to heed my own advice)
9kg lasts us ~3 weeks with fridge & water heater on gas and 50% of free camping.
we carry 3 x 9kg bottles. One is for our BBQ and is a swap and go. The two main ones on our van we re-fill. BBQS Galore charge $19.95 for a re-fill - never seen swap and go for anything like that price. BTW, BFC have raised their re-fill price to either $23-24, but still cheaper than swap. If youre carrying 2 x 9 kg tanks, you wont empty them both before you find the next town who does re-fills.
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
Great info there. Thanks everyone! We bought the van with an exchange bottle fitted. Checked the date on it and it was technically out of date! New valve fitted, so we assumed it had been serviced. Checked the one in our house barby with a view to swapping the two, and that was beyond date too! (swapped it last year). Also has a newer valve so it seems they can service them and send them out again - at least in WA.
But on the advice here we will go for a new one. So.. we will have one 9kg and one 4 (for Baby Q and spare). We don't intend going far off the beaten track this trip, mainly caravan parks and a bit of free camping. My health's not perfect so cara parks suit better.
Yep, BCF has a fan in me so we'll be looking for them out there.
