Gas bottle inside or on top?

[Dapper]

Hi looking for some general advice here about gas bottles. I'm setting up my D3 for camping weekends. Building a home made rear fridge slide unit, and have a dolium full length roof rack already on top. Wondering about the pro's and con's of carrying the small (2 or 4kg) gas bottle inside the car (securely mounted on the rear storage unit) or whether to mount them up on the roof rack? cheers

[Camp Oven]

Hi Dapper


The short answer, outside up top. My tent camping trips bottle up top.
My general knowledge is all vehicles that carry flammable gas bottles have to be secured in a compartment that is ventilated to the out side and sealed so no gas can get inside vehicle. Work van motor homes camper vans.
There were two incidences not so long ago, one in Darwin and I think Melbourne, where work vans exploded from a build up of oxy/act gas.
The Darwin one was a fatality.
Petrol containers inside vehicles is a hazard.
Keep safe and enjoy this great country.


Cheers Camp Oven

[landy]

Hi looking for some general advice here about gas bottles. I'm setting up my D3 for camping weekends. Building a home made rear fridge slide unit, and have a dolium full length roof rack already on top. Wondering about the pro's and con's of carrying the small (2 or 4kg) gas bottle inside the car (securely mounted on the rear storage unit) or whether to mount them up on the roof rack? cheers

This is taken directly from the NSW fire and rescue page:-

"When transporting cylinders in the car the total capacity must not exceed 9kg. The cylinders should be transported in an upright position, secured, preferably in the boot. Do not leave LPG bottles in a vehicle unnecessarily.
No more than two cylinders should be carried in a car at any one time."

This is not to say I would if I could store securely on the roof rack. Just saying its not illegal. The ventilated storage cabinets applies to tradies vans etc due to workcover regs and campers/caravans etc due to regs with reference to permanent storage design rules.

Cheers,

Nino.

[VladTepes]

I think it MAY be illegal to carry one inside a vehicle in Qld. We ute owners don't have that to worry about... :)

Maybe you can carry one but you MUST have those screw in plastic plugs to try to prevent leakage in case of a faulty valve.

[shining]

This is taken directly from the NSW fire and rescue page:-

"....The ventilated storage cabinets applies to tradies vans etc due to workcover regs and campers/caravans etc due to regs with reference to permanent storage design rules.

Nino.

And I think the ventilated cabinets are also to allow a permanently connected gas system in mobile homes and caravans.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

I am just about to install a G82 in the rear cargo floor of the D2,, that's 70odd litres of gas inside the car,,


I think-
if the stove top is a permanent fixture then the gas line must be fixed/solid.

[landy]

I think-
if the stove top is a permanent fixture then the gas line must be fixed/solid.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT][/QUOTE]

If it's a permanent fitting it must be gas approved installed and the gas cylinders must be in a sealed area with ventilation to the outside. It's interesting that you mention cooking in the back of a car as when I was looking on line for the State Regs on private gas transport I found the picture below of a car fire from cooking inside the car. Food for thought!

[weeds]

I am just about to install a G82 in the rear cargo floor of the D2,, that's 70odd litres of gas inside the car,,


I think-
if the stove top is a permanent fixture then the gas line must be fixed/solid.

yeah but i reckon yours will be vented to the outside of the car……….:cool:

where possible i try to store on the rack….although in the defer i'm not too concerned as there is plenty of ventilation

the biggest risk is a freshly filled cylinder that is exposed to warmer temps………this may cause a bit of venting, or an overfilled cylinder which cause vent liquid

however when i'm traveling not every rig has cylinder on top……i would assume some would be sitting inside

[Slunnie]

I carry it inside in a milk type container and strap it to the cargo barrier. It's secure in there and my preference is to have as little as possible on the roof.

[AnD3rew]

I keep mine on the roof, I don't like the idea of gas or fuel inside the car. I also wouldn't do it without a good cargo barrier.

[alien]

I also have mine on the roof rack.
I bought a bottle holder from a caravan parts outlet and bolted it to the roof rack.
I then got the hose for my stove extended so no need to remove the bottle to use.

Just think about where it's positioned though.
I have been known to "push" the odd fallen limb out of the way when off roading.
Also car park entry is an issue ;)
(Picture thanks to Mick_Marsh from a trip report.)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/02/238.jpg (http://s1074.photobucket.com/user/mick_marsh_AULRO/media/Eans%20Wambat%20Wander/DSC_3680.jpg.html)

[Tank]

I remember years back when LPG installations on motor vehicles started, a lot of vans had roof mounted gas cylinders.
After more than a few explosions and fires after rollovers gas bottles were banned from being installed on roofs/racks, could be an issue to check.
All LPG bottles installed in cars have sealed tap areas and are vented to the outside, caravans and campers must have floor vents under fixed LPG cooking or refrig. units to allow heavy LPG to escape, Regards Frank.

[Basil135]

Extreme situation, BUT....

Many years ago, we got called to a car fire. It turns out, they had just filled up the gas cylinder for a bbq, put it in the back of the station wagon, and while they were waiting for the kids to come out of school, lit up a smoke. :eek:

WOOF

Only superficial injuries to the occupants, but the car was toast. :cool:


I like the idea of putting the cylinder in a milk crate, and if you can, would put it on the roof. However, as this is not always practical, then invest in some cable ties, and keep the plastic bung that you get with the swappies.

After you break camp, turn the bottle off, insert bung, and then cable tie the tap closed. Call me paranoid, but its easier to be safe, then constantly worried. ;)

[numpty]

I carry two 2kg cylinders inside the Defender when out and about. They're securely strapped in custom mounts in both rear corners. I've never had an issue with them after many thousands of outback kilometres. And their outlets are always plugged when not in use.

As an aside, I also use a 105 litre plastic tank of diesel strapped to the rear floor on remote trips.

Horses for courses really. If it's all secure and you're safety conscious, there should be no issues.

Perry