Interesting thread, I've not really thought about an underslung LPG tank before but it would solve the problem of where to put the gas bottle and the constant battle for space
I'm going to get one fitted from Gasure for my 3 way fridge when that goes in. I'm also going to run the cooker off it, which, because it's removeable, am planning on making it so when it's in the awning, it runs off a BBQ point on the gas tank. Still at the planning/scribbling on scraps of paper stage, because I have to design a new cabinet for the 3 way fridge.
Little bit concerned about clearance though. A 200mm bottle leaves 200mm clearance, unloaded. That's the minimum they recommend. Whereabouts do they fit them on Westies?
They fit them to the underneath of the floor on Westies. Why, where are you planning on fitting yours?
I was wondering if they might fit them underneath, in the space aft of the loading bay but ahead of the fuel tank, where there is reasonable headroom. Under the cargo floor only leaves about 7-8 inches of clearance. Have you measured up for a suitable location?
Basically that they can provide all the gear if needed! Smallest tank is 200mm dia so no point looking further! Tank has to be set so valve panel is at 105 degrees in order for the pick up point to be in the top 20% of the tank to ensure gas not liquid pick up. Also one of my main issues was how it looks poking out bottom of van, he recommended a tail then bolt reg which is big and ugly to the chassis away from bottle so not as noticeable! They also supply thick copper pipe which is rubber coated so no danger if fractures if they get hit by stone! I think total cost of bottle and all bits needed including filler and pipe was about £350.00 inc p and p
Sorry not sure where you mean, in the engine bay between the floor and the engine? I am also wanting to find an alternative place to put it but can't be near heat source! Trouble is shortest tank is 771mm long, any suggestions would be great!
You know the lower sloping panel between the rear wheel arches (below the fuel tank), there might be space under the panel. If so it may allow a few more inches of clearance. The gear linkage and heater duct go through there so there probably isn't enough space. It's just an idea. I need to get underneath and do a proper reccy. Did they say if there was a limit to the distance between the filler point and the bottle?
Didn't ask but I know you can get 1m filler tubes that attach to tank and would then come out to filler! Other issue is heat as the powers to be don't like the tank anywhere near heat!
Right I think I have sorted it, just waiting for gas sure to come back to me with prices. They are by far the most helpful co out there that provide these tanks so would highly recommend them even if they are not the cheapest! Have spent hours on the phone to them this morning and the guy couldn't have been more helpful. Basically I didn't want to put the tank under the van for various reasons, firstly I don't like the look of it once fitted! Secondly due to the van being lowered, even if I cut the top hat rails out and fix the bracket directly to the floor (which apparently is fine because the bracket provides the rigidity that you lose by cutting out the top hats.) I am still struggling to get the 200mm clearance needed as a minimum clearance below the bottle. I then started looking elsewhere and at one point was thinking about a 6kg vertical refillable bottle inside the unit inside the van but in order to get this in behind a water tank I would need to make the unit 500mm wide in order to accommodate both bottles. I have full width rock and roll bed so very limited on available space! Decided vertical LPG bottle in unit was a no go so then looked at under rock and roll bed and you can fit a 20lt horizontal bottle between the rear wheel arches on the floor but that would then mean losing all the available storage under the bed so that was also no good! Finally with the help of the panel beater that is spraying my van we came up with the idea of putting the bottle between the front seats! Width and height of available space is 360mm wide and 220 high, length of space is 715mm. Have spoke with Steve at Gas Sure and he agrees it would all work. Pigtail from tank through floor to the remote regulator, same to filler point that will be mounted on the posterior aspect of the jacking point on a ready made bracket! Then pipe back into van which then is split into 2 each with quarter turn isolating valves to each appliance to comply with European regulations (allows yountontravel on ferry or tunnel!). Then copper pipe work either inside or outside the van to the appliances. Total cost for all the bits to do this is £405.00 including VAT and P&P. I know this seems a lot but actually for this you get the tank, external regulator 5m plastic coated copper pipe,quarter turn valves, filler unit inc fitting bracket and the frame that the tank fits into which will make sure it can't slide forward or back and remains at 105 degrees orientation to ensure vapour is fed to appliances not liquid propane. Also provides the plastics tubes corrugated and rigid to protect the pipe as it passes through the floor! So what I have to do once the bits come (ordered today will be here by thu/fri!) fit the tank and then make an aluminium or metal box to fit over the whole thing to tidy it up and then thinking I might put phone and cup holders on top. Need to make sure seats can still spin around but can't see that being a prob! What do you think?
seams a lot of cost and hassle for a bit of gas i have a 6kg propane bottle in the van cupboard doesn't take up that much room and cost £16 a fill and will last a year easy one day if its cheep enough i will get a westy type one
Should be a neat solution BUT personally i think it defeats the object of having a tank like that. putting it on the outside means you have gas without losing any room inside. mine is a 200mm tank and will sit in the normal westy location. Similar to the pics in this thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=187650&highlight=westy propane tank
i looked into the gassure ones a few years ago and think it's a good solution if you have it under the bus as i would be doing it for space saving. no chance now though, new engine is needed first and then no more bus presents for 20 years!
Appreciate thoughts and agree but I am unable to put it under floor as bus is lowered to the extent that even taking the top hats out I still can't get the clearance! I don't think I would use the space between seats anyway as I have swivel bases so will turn seats around! I accept lot of money for a bit of gas!!
I now have my old tank cleaned up, and want to replace the filler, valve and regulator for known entitys, has anyone replaced theres, or can recommend a good supplier in west London area. I say west London to start with as im thinking about getting the tank pressure tested at the same time!!
i ordere dmine from a guy in the states as it actually worked out cheaper plus i got the saftey release valve. http://community-2.webtv.net/VanStuff/VanagonWestfalia/
Cheers pkrboo, do I then need a uk to us adaptor for the filler, or are they the same? I understand the uk and eu fillers are different. did you have your tank tested/ mine only had a little surface rust and very little pitting so im not overly worried.
I haven't installed mine yet, might finally do it this week. You will need a US to UK adapter, loads one bay or gasure.
There's a couple of tanks on my new Doka, these will be going free when Paul Weeding removes them, they may or may not be usable but they do have the connectors to fill up at LPG stations.
