Re-positioning gas bottles.
Submitted: Sunday, Nov 15, 2009 at 19:39
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johntoyo
I have a Jayco Stirling and would love to use (recover) the space the 2 x 9kg LPG bottle take up in one side of the boot.
The boot lip is low so mounting them conventionally on the A frame with the bottles near to the body the boot lid won't open, and further away is where the HR levelling clamps are.
If I made an under slung frame and mounted each bottle outside of the A frame so the base of the bottle is level with the bottom of the A frame then the boot lid would open.
Of course re-plumbing by a approved gas fitter etc. would be needed, and perhaps a light stone guard around each bottle.
I am also surprised Jayco fit the bottles in a lockable boot as I thought regulations required that they need to be accessible in case of emergencies.
I would be interested in any suggestions or experience others have.
Reply By: Member - Kevin B1 (WA) - Sunday, Nov 15, 2009 at 19:46
Sunday, Nov 15, 2009 at 19:46
Can't see that would be a problem as long as the base of the bottle holder did not protrude below the bottom of the A frame. I think I have seen them mounted like that anyway.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Camoco - Sunday, Nov 15, 2009 at 20:00
Sunday, Nov 15, 2009 at 20:00
We have ours in a lockable boot also. We recently had the gasfitter over to install and certify it, and he was also surprised that it is ok to do just that.
He thought it should be accessible anytime, but, I am not sure of the wording, it is fine to have the bottles in a locked but vented area, if you are using copper lines rather than soft lines. We were prepared to remove the keyed locks, but didn't need to in order to comply.
Now whilst the law says it is ok, we have the keys in a very accessible place but not if the van is locked and always unlock the boot when camped.
Cheers Cam.
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Reply By: Blaze (Berri) - Sunday, Nov 15, 2009 at 23:55
Sunday, Nov 15, 2009 at 23:55
Many vand and Campers have the Gas bottles in a lockable boot, I'm not sure on legalities, but can't see a problem if it's legal to have a large Gas bottle in the boot of LPG vehicles. No doubt these boots are looked.
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Follow Up By: nsngood - Monday, Nov 16, 2009 at 11:24
Monday, Nov 16, 2009 at 11:24
i believe the law use to be that all gas cylinder shut off valves must be accessable in an emergency. That changed recently to say that they must be accessable in a service situation.This relates to gas fitments in cars so i assume it would be the same for vans etc.
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Reply By: Member - Michael P (QLD) - Monday, Nov 16, 2009 at 18:33
Monday, Nov 16, 2009 at 18:33
I went the other way, moved the gas bottles from the A frame into the boot.
1 whilst at a
bush camp site a very "kindly" person turned the gas off for me while I was out for the day,luckily the fridge was almost bare.
2 to get them out of the sun, I may be wrong but have a theory about the extra pressure of heated LPG may be the reason so many regulators are failing.(that could be a can of worms).
3 as I travel on a lot of unsealed roads was looking to reduce stone damage etc.
The only requirement for the gas compliance was that the2X 12mm drain holes had to be incresed to 25mm each.
On the drawbar I replaced the Gas bottles with a ally tool box, which actually works better for Me.
Regards Mike.
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Follow Up By: johntoyo - Monday, Nov 16, 2009 at 18:57
Monday, Nov 16, 2009 at 18:57
Mike thanks for that.
An alloy TB would be an option and has been considered but again with a low boot lip only allows about a 200mm deep box which are hard to come by other than custom made.
When I first got my van had an issue with full bottles in the boot. It was parked under cover with boot lid open but at the time had direct sun light on the boot. Heard a strange noise to then find one of the bottles was venting off.
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Follow Up By: Member - Michael P (QLD) - Monday, Nov 16, 2009 at 19:15
Monday, Nov 16, 2009 at 19:15
Also remember that by moving the gas bottles forward that you are going to affect the tow ball weight, admittedly it is a lot less than the 25ish kg that you would be transferring. There are a lot of vans/rigs where every single kg of TBW is critical. Not suggesting that this applies to your rig.
Mike.
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Follow Up By: johntoyo - Tuesday, Nov 17, 2009 at 01:16
Tuesday, Nov 17, 2009 at 01:16
Mike, thanks.
Not many kms on unsealed surfaces. Nearly 10 years with my previous A frame mounted bottle and I never experience having it turned off, but conceed it could be an issue. Also there are way more bottles out there on the A frame than tucked away.
Additional wt on ball from where they are now would be just about insignificant, as it would be around 2 x dia of bottle.
I weigh my ball wt. just about every time before I roll out on a trip so easy to compensate. (around 225kg)
John.
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