Posted on 30/03/2019 15:59
We swapped to an on board autogas tank a while ago hoping to save time and money in the long run but we are noticing that many garages are having the refill facilities removed from their forecourts. It is now being suggested by several other owners that this is a growing trend and it is becoming a problem as they are finding it increasingly harder to locate providers whilst out and about on their tours. Have I made a mistake?
Posted on 31/03/2019 09:58 by ocsidI suspect that company that owns and refills those bulk storage tanks at club sites, is certainly not going to like that idea.
And somehow I think their interests rather than paying "members" will carry the sway here.
Could have completely misjudged how things work though.
Posted on 31/03/2019 12:06
...but the bulk seller would be selling more to the club, wouldn't it?
and, yes, they'd have to set up the service point, but cages etc had to be supplied and installed for the storage of Calor bottles, didn't they?
so, as in any business, there may be some set up costs, but these are normally written off after a long period, surely no one expects to get that all back instantly?
Posted on 31/03/2019 12:06 by young thomas...but the bulk seller would be selling more to the club, wouldn't it?
and, yes, they'd have to set up the service point, but cages etc had to be supplied and installed for the storage of Calor bottles, didn't they?
so, as in any business, there may be some set up costs, but these are normally written off after a long period, surely no one expects to get that all back instantly?
Posted on 31/03/2019 12:23
I understand bulk tankers service sites at set intervals,so it would depend on the add use of gas on each site whether that would also have to change,
The gas cages are i think supplied by the club for wardens to store the bottles,and now sites bulk tanks are also being caged in with armcore m/way crash barriers fitted,
So a pump would not be a a very cost effective installation,when the majority of LVs use calor or other type of portable cylinders
Posted on 31/03/2019 14:03
so, as in any business, there may be some set up costs, but these are normally written off after a long period, surely no one expects to get that all back instantly?
I still don't think you could expect average garage prices BB. It would be like the difference between a standard filling station and one on a motorway, you would be paying for the convenience of not having to go off your route. They would I think be more advantageous to those with safefill type cylinders, who might experience difficulties at some filling stations. Plus of course the benefit of just walking across to the refill station.
Posted on 31/03/2019 09:29 by Justus2Yes, because LPG autogas was originally introduced as a conversion and cheaper alternative for gas guzzling petrol engined vehicles and was very popular.
Wasn't it then decided that diesel engines would be a marvellous alternative so lots of new cars were diesel, and again not so long ago, it was decided that actually to promote diesel was a mistake and what they meant to say was electric was best, but in the mean time LPG conversions for gas guzzlers proved far less attractive than a massive must have turbo diesel 4x4.....
Not trying to be political in anyway, just a tongue in cheek explanation as to why the demand for LPG has dwindled, but I expect that you already know that ..
Posted on 31/03/2019 15:22
I had a colleague that had a petrol 4X4 which he converted to run on LPG. The real problem he found was that there was not a corresponding meaningful reduction in VED. It was only economic if you did a high mileage which he didn't do. It must have been the 1980/90's that LPG was at its most popular. The real problem is that the caravan/motorhome numbers won't be enough to save most filling stations in the end. I am sure enough will survive but you will have to plan to fill up rather than relying on finding somewhere ad hoc along the route.
David
Posted on 31/03/2019 15:53
You are right DK, the reduction for conversions was only small, slightly higher if you had it converted from new. But if you informed DVLA, you didn’t pay in LEZ zones, doubt this is still the same though. Our first conversion was a 4.0 litre Jeep Cherokee, which we paid to have converted. At the time, given that LPG was a third the price of petrol, we got our money back within months, especially as we used it for towing. OH converted Jeep Wrangler, which was a much more straight forward conversion, and again it’s been worth it for us. We live in quite an urban area, so there are lots of places to fuel up, especially as M1, A1 are not far away. On a trip from home to Penzance, we would set off with a full LPG tank, top up at either Cirencester or Okehampton, and then we used two regular fill up places, one in Hayle, about four miles from where we stayed, or if in Falmouth area, one between Falmouth and Helston. It’s a while since we have used car down there, we would have to check both are still there. Another garage with LPG was the one climbing up Haldon Hill towards Racecourse, but again, needs checking to see if they still supply it.
Posted on 31/03/2019 12:23 by JVB66I understand bulk tankers service sites at set intervals,so it would depend on the add use of gas on each site whether that would also have to change,
The gas cages are i think supplied by the club for wardens to store the bottles,and now sites bulk tanks are also being caged in with armcore m/way crash barriers fitted,
So a pump would not be a a very cost effective installation,when the majority of LVs use calor or other type of portable cylinders
Posted on 31/03/2019 21:51
Stock is now in as far as I know. ‘Every man and his dog wants a Safefill at the moment’ was the comment when I rang up! A second shipment of stock will be arriving soon. As far as the filling points are concerned, there is no doubt that LPG points are closing as I have found out to my cost when I went to Cromer a couple of weeks ago. However, if the number of refillables continues to grow as I expect it will with the comment above, it may stop more closing. All refillables will be affect by closures- not just Safefill,.
mickysf
Motorhomer