9 kg LPG Gas Bottles for caravans

Irrespective of where they are made they will still need to be either made to Australian Standards or another Standard which is recognised in Australia.

As I understand it there are four classifications in the gas cylinder Standard.

Class 1, 2, 3, 4.

Only class 1 and 2 cylinders are rated for "Outdoor" use.

Now This is what was told to me by a caravan dealer and I cannot vouch for the truth or otherwise.

Class 2 and 4 for vans as I understand it, in the 9kg size.

Exert from AS 2030.1 -1999 regarding cylinder manufacture:

4 CYLINDER MANUFACTURE
4.1 Manufacturing standards
New gas cylinders intended for use in Australia shall be manufactured as follows:
(a) In accordance with the appropriate Australian Standard; or
(b) In accordance with National or Supra-national Standards, in which case, the cylinders
shall comply in all respects with the design and manufacturing requirements of that
particular Standard.
NOTE: Supra-national Standards are those such as ISO or CEN.
(c) In addition, the specification shall be with the agreement of the parties concerned.
NOTES:
1 For example, inspection to the Department of Transport (DOT) American Code must be
acceptable to the Government of the United States of America.
2 Suppliers, importers and manufacturers of cylinders have a duty-of-care responsibility and
may have to apply risk assessment and hazard analysis techniques to the design and intended
environment of use, to fulfil the duty-of-care obligations.

I received exactly the same information from a neighbour that just had a caravan certified. One bottle was okay but he had to take the "spare" off the caravan because it didn't comply.
I didn't take a lot of notice of the Classes but it was either Class 1 & 2 are okay and 3 & 4 are not... or the other way round.
I also believe that this only relates to gas bottles that are plumbed in e.g. on a caravan... it does not relate to carrying a gas bottle on a holder on a camper trailer that does not have plumbed gas.

Hope that makes sense.

does this help?

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I picked up an exchange bottle three weeks ago "full" Today I turned it on 1000km from home and the seal in the tap let go resulting in gas everywhere. No claim on that bottle? I am told that because of the high turnover of exchange bottles this is not an uncommon experience. So now I am back to buying a new manchester bottle and have it refilled then I will know if it has been abused or not.
Pinko

Trixie,
The reply's and follow ups have covered your question pretty good I reckon.
If I may go a little bit off topic can I suggest that you go to a cylinder testing station ( not a servo or an outdoors retail outlet ) and buy a fully galvanised (inside & outside) bottle of the size you want.
These usually are retested used bottles that are going to last for a very, very, very long time. Providing you have them tested every 10 years they should last for ever. BUT you will not be exchanging them at a swap & go , you will have to have them refilled.
If you get this done at a cylinder testing station they only charge you for the weight of the gas it takes to fill it.
I don`t know if you can still buy new galvanised bottles but the ones I have are all retested second hand " Heatane " brand bottles and I was advised by the bloke at the test station that this is by far the best way to go.

Hope this is helpful,
Scrubby