Yet another refillable gas tank question

[SurferBuzz]

Hi all,

This is my first question so please be gentle with me if it seems a bit rudimentary.

I have an appointment next week to have an underslung gas tank fitted by Autogas2000

My questions are what is the recommended location of the refiling valve and which side of the vehicle would be better?

My vehicle is a 2010 VW crafter.

For the location, the options are either the shirt around the bottom of the vehicle, which will require drilling the plastic, or the type of valve that hangs underneath the skirt, but this is quite low down.

I have never filled a vehicle gas tank before and am not sure of the process.
Are they like fuel pumps that require you to keep a trigger pulled in to operate?
This is my worry of the valve being low down.

The other part of the question is which side of the vehicle, as I’ll be using it at home more than abroad I imagine.
Again, this comes back to me having no experience with filling gas tanks.
Are they the same as fuel pumps as in you can go either side of the pump?

 

[Allanm]

The trigger on the pump is the lock in type. You operate it by pressing a button on the pump and keeping it pressed till the tank is full.
I would have the filler attached solidly to the skirt, low down is no problem as long as it is facing out the side.
Doesn’t matter which side you put it on, but closest to the tank would be best.

 

[hilldweller]

I think I'd put it near the fuel filler just so a forecourt attendant will have "fuel" in mid and turn on the pump. Good too if you want to fill gas and fuel together.

 

[dabhand]

Mine is offside in the skirt and is not a problem, don’t think it matters really although I think it’s handy to have it on the same side as the fuel filler saves messing about if you want both, mine isn’t.

 

[dave newell]

Just trust in Chris and John to advise you of the best location for the filler then they'll show you how to fill it.

D.

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[icantremember]

Autogas2000 are brilliant and will talk you through all the options before fitting.
They have their own LPG tank which they will educate you on filling procedures... Don't worry about it.

 

[Reallyretired]

Mine is the opposite side to the fuel filler. I never fill lpg and diesel together because it draws attention to the fact you are using it for domestic purposes. Whichever side you put it will be inconvenient some places

 

[mitzimad]

i would say not to low as occasionally you need to look at the connection to determine the position of the lugs to align the gun, given a choice i would have one at least hip high

 

[Clarky]

Prefer my filler to be same side as the fuel filler.
No faffing about at the pumps as you can usually fill both without moving.
Never had a problem or query about using gas for cooking and see no reason why anyone should query it.

Richard.

 

[TheDogMan]

I usually use autogas on a Shell service station
just have a look at the video

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[SurferBuzz]

Some great advice there, thanks to everybody for that information.

And a video to boot...! God bless the internet.
I'll have a good chat with the installers, I don't know why I didn't think of that

@Reallyretired
I think you're right, there'll always be a case of "the other side would have been better..."

 

[DBK]

You want it solidly mounted wherever you put it. This is mine on a Ducato but I suspect there may by somewhere similar on your VW.

When you lock the pump on there is quite a weight twisting the filler and if you need to use an adaptor in Europe the effect will be greater because of the long lever.

And I keep some thick rubber gloves in the door pocket and wear them when filling. The liquid gas will seriously damage your skin if you get some on it.

 

[nicholsong]

I usually use autogas on a Shell service station
just have a look at the video

She didn't put the cap back on the filling point.

 

[SurferBuzz]

@DBK

That's a good tip with the rubber gloves.

 

[Reallyretired]

You can get proper cryogenic gloves as I have, I don't know if they're actually better but at least they won't be confused with SWMBOs marigolds.

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[Hils and Glenns]

You will be fine at Autogas 2000 as @icantremember said. We've had Alugas fitted twice there. You can also stay overnight in the yard.

 

[SurferBuzz]

@Hils and Glenns

Yes, we're staying over on the Sunday evening, after what is hoping to be a glorious weather weekend in Scarborough.
Thought we'd combine the two together as we're in the area

Actually 3 things as the Barratt tank install on the way home also.

 

[Hils and Glenns]

You can also stay at Thirsk racecourse which is walking distance into the town.

 

[Minxy]

I installed the filler for our gas bottles in the rear bumper corner using the smaller filler:

 

[RJJW]

You will be fine at Autogas 2000 as @icantremember said. We've had Alugas fitted twice there. You can also stay overnight in the yard.

Im thinking of having a single alugas cylinder to replace 2 x 13kg cylinders, trying to decide whether to fit or have fitted at autogas 2000, what cost am I looking at to have this fitted, Thank You.

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[Chockswahay]

Oops, just saw the date so I deleted what I said

 

[DBK]

Im thinking of having a single alugas cylinder to replace 2 x 13kg cylinders, trying to decide whether to fit or have fitted at autogas 2000, what cost am I looking at to have this fitted, Thank You.

I would simply call them for a quote. The price will be different depending on the model of MH and the size of tank you want to or can fit.

 

[Motorhome-dude]

Hi all,

This is my first question so please be gentle with me if it seems a bit rudimentary.

I have an appointment next week to have an underslung gas tank fitted by Autogas2000

My questions are what is the recommended location of the refiling valve and which side of the vehicle would be better?

My vehicle is a 2010 VW crafter.

For the location, the options are either the shirt around the bottom of the vehicle, which will require drilling the plastic, or the type of valve that hangs underneath the skirt, but this is quite low down.

I have never filled a vehicle gas tank before and am not sure of the process.
Are they like fuel pumps that require you to keep a trigger pulled in to operate?
This is my worry of the valve being low down.

The other part of the question is which side of the vehicle, as I’ll be using it at home more than abroad I imagine.
Again, this comes back to me having no experience with filling gas tanks.
Are they the same as fuel pumps as in you can go either side of the pump?

Hi Surfer,

Autogas 2000 did my gas tank. I can't rate them highly enough. They did a really clean install and we talked about filling point options. Tell them how and where (mainly UK or Europe) you'll be using your van and they'll give you the best options.

I'm a builder by trade and don't trust many people when it comes to working on my van unless I can see what they're doing. I was very impressed with the cage method of holding the tank as opposed to straps. Nice little touch is the LED gas fuel gauge so you know when to refuel.

Worst problem I had was figuring out how to actually put gas in it at a petrol station!! Luckily, a taxi driver showed me how the gas pump worked. It's fiddly the first time you do it (twist this, hold that, WHOOSH!!!!, HISS!!!...it's going to explode!) and then it fills up just like petrol

Best addition I've added to the van...apart from USB's

 

[The Silvers]

I have had autos fitted on two MH, both times by Dave Newall. I see he has commented so listen to his advice and the good advice of other funsters, you will be fine. I have only ever filled my tank in the UK, we have just done over 8 weeks in Europe and still have nearly half a tank left.

 

[SurferBuzz]

Thanks for everyone’s replies.

We've now had the underslung tank fitted, a very professional job.

Was left with plenty of cable to mount the gauge where we wanted and even advised to have an additional tap for future changes as we'd only asked for 3, Heater, cooker, external BBQ point. I appreciated that.

Would recommend Autogas 2000 to anyone who's likely to ask me about it when at a VW festival in the future.

The Silvers
8 weeks…. That’s impressive.
What is your gas capacity?
Do you cook daily?

I can appreciate you wouldn’t need the heating with the hot weather Europe seems to be enjoying at the moment.

Please feel free to send some of that sunshine this way.

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[The Silvers]

Only a 30 Ltr tank! In reality it takes 24 litres of liquid gas. We cooked most days but used EHU for Hot water, heating & fridge as often as we could.

 

[Emmit]

Just for the future Funsters who come across this thread.
Our gas filler is in the middle of the 'van N/S (UK).
I have come across a garage in Portugal where it was only possible to fill on the O/S (UK)

I couldn't approach 'The other way' as it had more bollards and barriers than the approach to UK Roadworks..

I suppose what I am saying is, if you have to put the filler on the N/S, make it on the back of the van. Then you will be able to get to the filling point.

 

[TCG]

can you still have the crash sensor with a tank

 

[ctc]

I think I'd put it near the fuel filler just so a forecourt attendant will have "fuel" in mid and turn on the pump. Good too if you want to fill gas and fuel together.

You could have a smoke at the same time.

 

[Glas Robin]

Late to this thread... but...

I self-fitted gas-it, bought from eBay.

It’s very easy for a competent DIYer. I’m happy to accept the risks, etc. Insurance company not interested, and van hab checks include gas inspection.

I put the filler in the skirt, which is aluminium, close to a support bracket. The pumps are heavy and I wouldn’t want to put it in a plastic skirt.

I located it in the same side as the diesel filler (n/s UK), simply because at my local Morrison’s there is a combined LPG & diesel pump - and our last task on any trip is to fill everything up just before we get home no matter how tired we are. Makes getaways much quicker.