Save weight and more energy on board!
Like many others, we started with classic gray 2 x 5kg steel gas bottles. The advantage of steel bottles, in addition to the low purchase price, is certainly their widespread use. You can get the bottles exchanged for a full one at almost every corner. But the bottles also have a major disadvantage and that is their high weight. This is on average 11-12 kilos and so we drive (fully filled) around 22-23 kilos through the area. Except for the winter time, you can get by with a 5kg gas bottle for a long time. As an example, on our 2-week holiday in Italy, we cooked every day, not just coffee, and heated it up in the evening and managed to get by with just one bottle. We always have a second full bottle with us to be on the safe side. But the disadvantage for us is always the heavy weight of the gray steel cylinders. An alternative is needed and we would like to opt for an aluminum gas cylinder.
Until now:
Empty weight steel bottle: approx. 5 - 6.5 kg / tare Filled with 5 kg of gas Total weight: approx. 11 - 13 kg
With two bottles it is:
10 kg of gas approx. 22-26 kg weight
Variant I:
An aluminum gas bottle empty weight: approx. 5.5 kg / tare Filled with 11 kg of gas Total weight: approx. 16.5 kg An aluminum bottle: 11 kg of gas approx. 16.5 kg weight
Variant II:
An 11 kg aluminum and a 5 kg steel gas bottle 16 kg of gas 27 kg total weight
So the choice fell on the aluminum gas bottle. This (with 11 kg of gas) is at 5.5 kg significantly lighter than gas bottles made of steel with the same filling and have a higher evaporation capacity even at low temperatures. They are also corrosion-resistant. The main argument for us, however, is the weight saving. But not only.
The modification:
After moving the rear belt holders, however, the 5 kg steel and 11 kg gas bottle fit well. The question is, is it legal, practical and affordable? Variant I. More gas, less weight. However, the aluminum bottle is a bit more expensive and cannot be exchanged everywhere in Europe. Variation II Perfect solution for longer, further trips, or winter camping. If the large aluminum gas bottle is empty, the small steel bottle is connected and it can be exchanged anywhere if necessary. The disadvantage here is the total weight. Hmmm....? We will test it! We would be happy to receive feedback or experiences.
Addendum: So far we've done very well with the 1400 kilograms. With our standard equipment we are mostly light at ± 1300 kilos. Of course we like to have nice things on board, so be careful! and we will always have to pay attention to weight. And of course we only mean the caravan 🤣.
Addendum January 21, 2021: After a loooong back and forth we decided to have more gas on board. Ok, we have 5kg more weight but twice as much gas🙃🙂 Moving the bracket is very easy, you just have to find the right position and be careful not to dislocate. We will probably switch completely to aluminum gas bottles (a little more expensive) so that we can also save weight.
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