Idiot's Guide for gas connectors in France-please! (1 Viewer)

[Ingwe]

Hello
We're in France with the UK supplied red 13kg gas bottle. It came with the van. We know that when we need to get gas here we will need different bottles and a different regulator. I believe the French pressure is 28 whatevers and the U.K.'s is 30.
The trouble is, we have seen lots of different regulators in supermarkets all marked 28 but haven't a clue how to fit the to the van and then to the bottle. The shop assistants haven't so far been much help.
Our spirits rose when we came out of the last E LeClerk hypo market and found a UK registered Swift mohome next to us. We thought we'd ask but we waited for an hour but they didn't return so we set off to our next site.
What would help is a blow by blow, preferably with pictures of what we need and how to fit he regulator to the van and then to the bottle.
Any helps much appreciated!

 

[Zigisla]

I was under the impression that it was just the bottle and pigtails that needed changing. The regulator would be fine if it is the standard bulk head regulator. If you have bottle regulators, then this would be a different issue. Hope you get your answer very soon.

 

[Vic]

Yep. What he said. Different bottle and pigtail. Same regulator. You will need a French address to get the bottle though. Use the nearest aire or campsite details.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Ingwe]

Thanks for the posts; the fog is clearer. Now, what exactly is the pigtail? Are there different types and if so, which do I need, please? Thanks also for the tip of using the aire or campsite for details of a French address.
Feeling a more positive as it was the bulk head regulator which was troubling me as it is integral to the van. Now for the pigtail.......

 

[Vic]

Pigtail = hose from regulator to bottle. You will either need a new one that matches your gas bottle of choice OR a screw on adapter from your pigtail to match the new bottle.

 

[FJmike]

As an explanation of what a pigtailis has been given, you will have to go to a campingcar or caravan dealer to get one. The next thing to decide is which gas bottle do you want. There are a lot of different bottles, some may not fit your gas locker. When we were faced with the same problem with our last van bought a "Le Cube" , it's a bit smaller than a calories bottle, lightweight construction and most supermarkets sell them.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Ingwe]

We are struggling to find camping car or caravan dealers which has surprised us as there are so many of both motorhomes and caravans on the road. Yet we so far havn't seen specialist dealers. Internet searches show a few in the North, around Paris and in the South. The nearest dealer was in Bourges. When we rang them they seemed only to sell the vans.
I will also ask at the site if they know of a local dealer. Will look at Le Cube and try and see how exoensive they are. It may be worth getting them if they're lighter and smaller. The 13kg red beast is a beast to lift into the gas locker, when full!

 

[FJmike]

Have a look in one of the campingcar magazines, OK being in French not easily understood but the two leading titles have a large section of dealers by region.

 

[Emmit]

Yep. What he said. Different bottle and pigtail. Same regulator. You will need a French address to get the bottle though. Use the nearest aire or campsite details.

You don't need a French address.
All you do is go into a Supermarket garage and say, "Jer voodray oon booteel de gas Se voo play"

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Emmit]

We are struggling to find camping car or caravan dealers which has surprised us as there are so many of both motorhomes and caravans on the road. Yet we so far havn't seen specialist dealers. Internet searches show a few in the North, around Paris and in the South. The nearest dealer was in Bourges. When we rang them they seemed only to sell the vans.
I will also ask at the site if they know of a local dealer. Will look at Le Cube and try and see how exoensive they are. It may be worth getting them if they're lighter and smaller. The 13kg red beast is a beast to lift into the gas locker, when full!

When you are out of gas, the cost of it will be a minor irritant.
Compared to those suppliers of Gas bottles in the UK (You know who you are,) the french bottles are ridiculously cheap, and so is the gas.

 

[Ingwe]

@emmitdb-merci boocoop! Loved the phonetic assistance. You typed it as I sound!
All ask them for the type of pigtail. Apropos the dealers, it's a good idea to look at the magazines. Next time we're in a sizeable town all do so and get some addresses.
Meantime, we are on hook up, still have some gas for cooking and are better prepared for when it runs out.
Thank you all for your helpful advice.
Currently on a fabulous aire called Trois Ours at Montbarrey, Bourgogne. Very hot and lovely river for swimming!

 

[Emmit]

The french don't have, like us, two types of Pigtail. ie Butane/propane.
Their pigtail has a female screw nut at either end. One end goes on your built in Reg. The other goes on the ADAPTOR!!!.
You don't want a Reg. on the bottle. That would restrict the flow of gas.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Ingwe]

You're right; we don't want a reg on the bottle. Just the pigtail and the adaptor for the French gas bottle, whichever we choose.