We have a 2012 Bailey Approach 620. We had our first major trip abroad over winter for 3 months. We encountered problems of getting gas bottles as we left with a 13kg Calor propane but the weather was so cold, in France, we used up our gas in less than a quarter of the anticipated time. The UK pigtail would not fit a French propane bottle. So,we had to buy a French bottle and a French pigtail. Total nearly €78 not including the gas itself.
Then onto Spain. And their pigtails and bottles. So another €50 odd, plus having to carry (probably unlawfully) the empty French bottle inside the van (the Calor bottle was in the gas locker).
So, on our return to U.K., we decided to go for a refillable gas system and, due to the lack of outdoor storage on the Bailey, considered an underslung gas tank. Researching through this forum, we decided to use Autogas 2000 at Carlton Minniot near Thirsk. As we live in York, this was really handy. From our first contact, through receptionist Wendy, we were treated really well. Chris the owner came to the phone to discuss options and suggested we book in and let them see the van. We did this yesterday. By arrangement, you can park overnight in Autogas 2000's yard, provided with free hookup. Less than 100 yards away, is a lovely pub, The Dog and Gun (which has only been opened a matter of weeks following refurbishment). We went for a pint and a meal. The Timothy Taylor's was excellent, as was the meal.
At 8:15 today, Jon from Autogas, knocked on the van door and the van was placed on the ramp. Chris and Jon had a thorough look at the underside of the van and then gave their advice:
1. They could fit a small tank under the van but the lack of space (the Bailey being just 6 meters and having a central 100 litre water tank) meant that we would have little gas capacity. The work in fitting such a tank, would involve some cutting and bolting of the chassis, which, whilst undoubtedly safe, seemed disproportionately complex (and expensive) for relatively little gain.
2. They could fit a 12kg Alugas refillable bottle which would give us marginally less gas than the 13kg Calor type bottle. And it would cost less than half of (1) above.
Although the choice was ours, both Chris and Jon favoured the second option. We were given a lift into Thirsk town centre and told the van would be ready by noon. In little over an hour and a half, we got a call that the van was ready.
We were given a thorough instruction on an actual LPG pump at Autogas's courtyard of how to fill the Alugas bottle, including me having a go before the tank was filled to the 80% maximum permitted level. We were then taken through the various European adaptors supplied and provided with a plastic wallet with written instructions etc of what had been shown and explained to us.
We were also given a discount for being Funsters!
We now have a nice new refillable gas bottle in the gas locker which takes up half the space of the Calor bottle so we can now put our hookup cable, toilet chemicals, hoses, various adaptors etc, in the gas locker. We don't have to heave a heavy bottle in and out of the locker and we now have a neat, securely fitted, filling point on the skirt of the van.
All in all, we are very pleased with the advice, care and attention we received from Chris and Jon at Autogass 2000 and we can heartily recommend them.
We're now off to France, Italy and Greece and feel much more confident of managing our gas supply for the 4 month trip.
Then onto Spain. And their pigtails and bottles. So another €50 odd, plus having to carry (probably unlawfully) the empty French bottle inside the van (the Calor bottle was in the gas locker).
So, on our return to U.K., we decided to go for a refillable gas system and, due to the lack of outdoor storage on the Bailey, considered an underslung gas tank. Researching through this forum, we decided to use Autogas 2000 at Carlton Minniot near Thirsk. As we live in York, this was really handy. From our first contact, through receptionist Wendy, we were treated really well. Chris the owner came to the phone to discuss options and suggested we book in and let them see the van. We did this yesterday. By arrangement, you can park overnight in Autogas 2000's yard, provided with free hookup. Less than 100 yards away, is a lovely pub, The Dog and Gun (which has only been opened a matter of weeks following refurbishment). We went for a pint and a meal. The Timothy Taylor's was excellent, as was the meal.
At 8:15 today, Jon from Autogas, knocked on the van door and the van was placed on the ramp. Chris and Jon had a thorough look at the underside of the van and then gave their advice:
1. They could fit a small tank under the van but the lack of space (the Bailey being just 6 meters and having a central 100 litre water tank) meant that we would have little gas capacity. The work in fitting such a tank, would involve some cutting and bolting of the chassis, which, whilst undoubtedly safe, seemed disproportionately complex (and expensive) for relatively little gain.
2. They could fit a 12kg Alugas refillable bottle which would give us marginally less gas than the 13kg Calor type bottle. And it would cost less than half of (1) above.
Although the choice was ours, both Chris and Jon favoured the second option. We were given a lift into Thirsk town centre and told the van would be ready by noon. In little over an hour and a half, we got a call that the van was ready.
We were given a thorough instruction on an actual LPG pump at Autogas's courtyard of how to fill the Alugas bottle, including me having a go before the tank was filled to the 80% maximum permitted level. We were then taken through the various European adaptors supplied and provided with a plastic wallet with written instructions etc of what had been shown and explained to us.
We were also given a discount for being Funsters!
We now have a nice new refillable gas bottle in the gas locker which takes up half the space of the Calor bottle so we can now put our hookup cable, toilet chemicals, hoses, various adaptors etc, in the gas locker. We don't have to heave a heavy bottle in and out of the locker and we now have a neat, securely fitted, filling point on the skirt of the van.
All in all, we are very pleased with the advice, care and attention we received from Chris and Jon at Autogass 2000 and we can heartily recommend them.
We're now off to France, Italy and Greece and feel much more confident of managing our gas supply for the 4 month trip.