4.5kg or 9kg gas. What do you use?

[grafy82]

Hi all,
    I've just put on my running boards and I'm trying to decide on whether to go with 2x 4.5kg or 1x 9kg gas bottle on the trailer. The 9kg bottles are cheaper to re fill and using the swap and go, can be a lot more convenient, so that's what I'd prefer. My trouble is that the 9kg bottle will hang out past the guard by about 25mm and I don't want it to get jagged on anything. Has anybody had a problem with this?

[Captain]

I would ALWAYS go 2 x gas bottles. That way when one runs out you swap it over and have plenty of time to refill it. With a single 9kg it tends to run out when furthest away from a refill point   

My first camper had a single 9kg and it was a pain as it always ran out at the most inconvinient time, my Camprite and Quantum both had/have 2 x 4.5kg and am much happier.

The small price difference in refill costs are minimal IMHO and can be made up by running the 4.5kg empty and not having to refill the 9kg when not quite empty yet. Factor in that the 4.5kg do not overhang and the choice is easy 

Cheers

Captain

[grafy82]

I would ALWAYS go 2 x gas bottles. That way when one runs out you swap it over and have plenty of time to refill it. With a single 9kg it tends to run out when furthest away from a refill point   

My first camper had a single 9kg and it was a pain as it always ran out at the most inconvinient time, my Camprite and Quantum both had/have 2 x 4.5kg and am much happier.

The small price difference in refill costs are minimal IMHO and can be made up by running the 4.5kg empty and not having to refill the 9kg when not quite empty yet. Factor in that the 4.5kg do not overhang and the choice is easy 

Cheers

Captain

Good point thanks Captain. I always seem to be still having a bit in the bottom before I swap or re fill, just in case it runs out. Cost would add up over time.

Cheers

Wes

[cheif carlos]

draw your stone flick line from the front of the tyre to the guard it will problerbly miss the bottle I could not see a stone with a curve taking a line like that - unless the car sticks outside the tralier then factor that in. we have 2x4.5kg apart from different cost/nearly the same price I would go for the 2x4.5kg easier to handle/lighter

Cheers

[SteveandViv]

I would ALWAYS go 2 x gas bottles. That way when one runs out you swap it over and have plenty of time to refill it. With a single 9kg it tends to run out when furthest away from a refill point   

My first camper had a single 9kg and it was a pain as it always ran out at the most inconvinient time, my Camprite and Quantum both had/have 2 x 4.5kg and am much happier.

The small price difference in refill costs are minimal IMHO and can be made up by running the 4.5kg empty and not having to refill the 9kg when not quite empty yet. Factor in that the 4.5kg do not overhang and the choice is easy 

Cheers

Captain

Same, and as we take the Webber Q we can have both running with the BBQ away from the camper but the burners also cooking the peas, so to speak

[krisandkev]

Agree with the two 4.5 bottles. It is great to have a spare.  And Murphy's law, when you run out of gas you are in the middle of nowhere.
(Also at home it is easier (lighter) to get one of the 4.5 bottles off the camper if our BBQ bottle runs out of gas, usually in the middle of cooking!)
Kevin

[Jeepers Creepers]

We run 3, one for the fridge, one for cooking, and one for the hot water. We are well and truelly covered if we run out on one and it save darting around to swap stuff to shower or cook.

We carry one on the drawbar, one on the back and one in the trailer in amilk crate, but packed in tight.
Not too sure if you can see it easy or not, but our safety guard is done this way.

[GS]

Our Goldstream came with a single 9 kg and for the reasons mentioned above.

Now with 2 x 4 kg bottles just run one down and with a twist of the changeover valve the other bottle is ready.

Just remember to fill the empty bottle before the next trip.

[grafy82]

Thanks you all for the informed replies. Looks like 2x 4.5kg bottles is the go.

Cheers

Wes

[KingBilly]

Go with 2 x 4.5 bottles.  One for the cooktop in the kitchen and one for the BabyQ out the front.  I have an adaptor on one (which can be swapped if needed) so that I can use both bottles for either.

Good luck
KB

PS Below is how I did my gas bottle holders

[dazzler]

draw your stone flick line from the front of the tyre to the guard it will problerbly miss the bottle I could not see a stone with a curve taking a line like that

It's the one from the grassy knoll that will get ya!

[Marschy]

I use 9kg's at home, and decant them into my 4.5kg on the camper. Over a period of time the cost benefit adds up, rather than the exponentially more expensive option of filling the 4.5kg bottles at a refill location.

[bussoboy]

I use 9kg's at home, and decant them into my 4.5kg on the camper. Over a period of time the cost benefit adds up, rather than the exponentially more expensive option of filling the 4.5kg bottles at a refill location.

i hadn't thought about using my big bottles at home to fill my camping bottles

i have 2  9kg bottles, one on the camper and the other in a crate in the back of the ute for the weber, but i will be changing over to 2 x 4.5kg bottles to save space and $$

[Marschy]

i hadn't thought about using my big bottles at home to fill my camping bottles

i have 2  9kg bottles, one on the camper and the other in a crate in the back of the ute for the weber, but i will be changing over to 2 x 4.5kg bottles to save space and $$

I remember when I bought the POL adapter for the 9kg bottle, hose and fittings from a gas fitting shop here in Adelaide the guy at the counter looked at me and said, 'You fillin' your own bottles?'. I looked him square in the eyes and lied and said 'No mate, not me'. Been filling my own camping bottles for years.

If you want I'll post up some pictures of the fittings I use. Unlike the huge refill bottles at Mitre-10 and other places, which have a tube going down to the bottom of the tank, you have to tip the 9 kg bottle upside down to get the lpg to flow. Takes a bit of time in winter when it's cold, but in summer it takes no longer than 5 minutes to top up an empty 4.5 from a full 9kg.

[RobM]

Marschy.
I'd like to see the pics.
I hate it when I have to take a 4.5Kg bottle to be filled.
Bad enough paying through the nose for the 9Kg.

Cheers Rob

[ruskie]

Marschy.
I'd like to see the pics.
I hate it when I have to take a 4.5Kg bottle to be filled.
Bad enough paying through the nose for the 9Kg.

Cheers Rob

X2

[Mace]

Im guessing  you would need two of these, plus a hose?

http://www.primusaustralia.com.au/index.php?p=line&sid=1286334978

[jeb1900]

Yeah, I have 3x 4kg bottles. 

They're so much more manageable and for most camping trips more than enough gas.  No point carrying excess of things when not necessary.  That way I can fit more important things in, like extra beer!!! 

[Marschy]

Im guessing  you would need two of these, plus a hose?

http://www.primusaustralia.com.au/index.php?p=line&sid=1286334978

Only one POL adapter

plus 2 x 3/8" Female LH to 1/4" BSP Male adapter fittings for the ends of the hose. One goes on the POL adapter, the other screws directly onto your 4.5kg gas tap



Open both taps, open the screw on your 4.5kg bottle and tip your 9kg upside down until liquid fuel comes out of the 4.5kg screw.

[Mace]

 

[Kit_e_kat9]

2 x 4.5kg for ease of use and no "Doh!" moments.  Easier, faster, and I don't care if it ain't cheaper ... It works.

Kit_e