How to safely transport gas bottles to your campsite
If you have decided to buy calor gas bottles or gas cylinders for camping, you will need to get them to the campsite safely. In this article, we will take a look at the laws concerned with transporting bbq gas and how to do it whilst making sure you keep yourself, your family and those around you safe.
Store gas cylinders safely for transport
Although you do not have to display a gas bottle warning sign on your car or motorhome or have a special driving license, there are some precautions you should take when transporting calor gas bottles and cylinders to the campsite.
Secure your cylinders so they do not move and roll about when you are driving, and you need to make sure that they are stored upright to prevent the liquid gas from clogging the outlet valve. If you have a trailer then it is good practice to transport the cylinder in that rather than in your car or motorhome.
Don’t take any risks
If you have no choice but to store the gas cylinder in your car’s boot, then you may want to crack open a window to provide extra ventilation. This is in case there is a leak of gas from the cylinder whilst you are driving. Also, try and avoid storing your cylinders in a hot car or in direct sunlight as they can explode when exposed to high temperatures.
Transporting your calor gas bottles to Europe
When you arrive at check-in at Eurotunnel or for the cross-channel ferry, you may be asked if you have any gas bottles stored in your vehicle. They may be inspected for safety reasons, so make sure any bbq gas bottles are easy to access at all times.
As a rule-of-thumb, the number of gas cylinders you can transport abroad can vary, but typically you are allowed a maximum of one cylinder of 47kg, but one that is less than 80% full, or up to 50kg for multiple calor gas bottles. Those are the Eurotunnel regulations, however, ferry companies may well have their own limits, so make sure you double-check before you set out.
Thousands of people transport gas bottles to and from campsites each year with no problems, so as long as you follow the advice given in this article, then there is no reason for you to encounter any problems on your journey.