Safefill 10Kg

HillClimb replied on 07/04/2016 12:28

Posted on 07/04/2016 12:28

New to caravaning, we've not even got our caravan yet - it is on on order from Elddis. So we've been doing a lot of research, there is a lot of data out there on the internet but I was struggling to find out what size of gas bottles would fit in to the gas locker of our van (which we haven't got yet).

So after a trip to the (not so local) Caravan Accessory shop at Webbs in Reading - (they were brilliant - so... helpful) . They helped by allowing me to take one of their 10kg Safefill bottles over to a Elddis 55x Caravan display model - that has the same structure/footprint as ours. So I can confirm that a 10kg Safefill cylinder will fit in to the gas locker of a Elddis 55x.  (And being refillable then I just need the one cylinder).

Doubtless everyone has there own preferances on Calorlite vs BP GasLight vs Safefill etc etc. For me, I was persuaded by the quantity of LPG fill suppliers listed and the cost-of-ownership. For ease of maths, I simply calculated what the total spend would be  once 30kg of gas has been consumed (initial rental + swaps for 2 cyclinder for BP or Calor)

30kg of Gas:

BPGaslight £238 (two initial rentals + 4 swaps) - (however you can get a refund if your no longer need the cylinders, so reducing the cost of ownership to reflect their residual value then 30kg would cost £213).

Calorlite £172 (two initial rentals + 3 swaps - I assume Calorlite's can also be refunded - but couldn't find how much?)

Purchase of a Single 10kg Safefill cylinder + 30kg of gas = £177

Redoing the math for 60kg; then Gaslight £375; Calorlite £310; Safefill £194

I pondered the 2 Rental Cylinders; 1 runs out; swap to the spare and exchange the empty (at our leisure (i.e. non urgent)) scenario - but a fair comparison for Safefill is: top-up the part full 10kg Safefill before departing; occasionaly check the gauge or look at the visible level and take it for another refill before it runs out (when we happen to be passing somewhere that does LPG refills). 

Hope this info helps others in their research/decision making

young thomas replied on 30/05/2016 08:12

Posted on 30/05/2016 08:12

 

I have to correct your statement 'There is no difference.' when you are comparing Safefill and Gaslow. Safefill is filled direct to the container whilst Gaslow is filled via a external filler kit which is fixed to the vehicle. That is the difference and that is why Gaslow (and its like) are generally accepted at filling stations. That appears to be the specific problem when you look at the industry guidelines, which will not be changing. I would want Safefill to be accepted but its the issue about availablity of refilling which is stopping me going down that route. 

interestingly, Gaslow (widely accepted as the market leaders in MH refillable LPG solutions, we have this....) have come up with a direct competitor for Safefill, called 'direct fill'.

gaslow has, in the past, sold their units with an external filler point which could be fitted into the side of a MH bodywork, a cill, or even inside a locker on a bracket....

it seems they are now targetting thr caravan market where a cylinder can be taken to a fill point by car.....

would they invest in this sector (and the tooling for the solution) if they hadnt got some sort of green light from the appropriate bodies?

http://www.gaslowdirect.com/Gaslow-11kg-Direct-Fill-Cylinder-Kit

ps...not sure if previously mentioned but refillables come into their own if touring abroad where only a cheap local adaptor is required to allow filling at a pump in france/spain etc....

Merve replied on 06/06/2016 20:04

Posted on 06/06/2016 20:04

Which tends to prove BB that the big two are desperate to hang on to their cylinder business in this country. If it's OK in France, why not here? Because the big two don't want it - that's why!!! Nothing to do with H and S- load of bunkem!! Power to the people. 

Greygit replied on 30/04/2017 07:49

Posted on 30/05/2016 07:29 by Greygit

If the main problem the petroleum companies have with filling free standing bottles is that they may "topple over" why do they not provide a small cage so that won't be a problem?

I suspect its more to do with large profits and monopolies.

Posted on 30/04/2017 07:49

 

I have always thought this  and I totally agree with your conclusion.

Come on C and M club its time you got involved with this for the sake of your members.

replied on 30/04/2017 08:10

Posted on 04/05/2016 07:49 by Merve

On issues like this the CC are as much use as chocolate fireguard

 

Write your comments here...Couldn't have put it better myself Cyber. I would love to see the CC fighting it's corner for its members but Calor and co are massive sponsers of events etc so little can be wondered at. This is a cartel whose throttle like grip on massive profits in cylinder exchange and the leisure industry is being slowly released by a very brave and resilient company- Safefill. They are fighting and doing the CCs job but they need our help wherever we can give it. Ive said it before and I say it again, the pressure for these perfectly safe cylinders to become the norm is growing. Yes, they are not the answer to some but to most like me they are an absolute Godsend. Power to the people!! 

Posted on 30/04/2017 08:10

but to most like me they are an absolute Godsend. Power to the people!!

I agree that they are a bonus to some. But not to most caravanners. With less people seeming to retrofit plg to cars there seems a lessening demand for lpg pumps. I used to see lpg pumps in regular usage but rarely now see them used. I don't know if there is alocality variance? If everybody wanted the service I suspect that some outfit would provide. 

JVB66 replied on 30/04/2017 08:24

Posted on 30/04/2017 08:10 by

but to most like me they are an absolute Godsend. Power to the people!!

I agree that they are a bonus to some. But not to most caravanners. With less people seeming to retrofit plg to cars there seems a lessening demand for lpg pumps. I used to see lpg pumps in regular usage but rarely now see them used. I don't know if there is alocality variance? If everybody wanted the service I suspect that some outfit would provide. 

Posted on 30/04/2017 08:24

Refilable cylinders are fine if you use a lot of gas,,to get a return on the initial set up costs but if like us and and what seems the majority of Leisure Vehicle users the orange umbilical is the king,we have just last week put a fresh 6kg lite,(only carry one)on after 16 months since last refill with 183 +nights away

replied on 30/04/2017 08:43

Posted on 30/04/2017 08:43

Abour the same usage rate as me and I suspect many. One reason why I have never considered lightweight bottles as a 3.9kg will last plenty and is no heavier than a 6kg light and is less bulky to manouvre 

Spriddler replied on 30/04/2017 08:48

Posted on 30/04/2017 08:48

I've just installed a Gaslow system (it took me an hour) purely for when abroad where I do 80% of my touring. I like to relax on tour and I certainly don't want the irritation of having to negotiate with a garage cashier as to whether he/she will allow me to fill my 'unsecured' gas bottles or not.

 

BTW - I do wonder with all the Hoo-Hah about diesel emissions if we'll be seeing more LPG fuelled vehicles on the roads.undecided

Lyke Wake Man replied on 30/04/2017 21:57

Posted on 30/04/2017 21:57

I spoke to neil, the M.D. at safefill last week, he told me he has had meetings  with the C.C. and a lot of other people

 

The bigest problm is rip  off calor, they dont like compitition

MDD10 replied on 01/05/2017 21:21

Posted on 01/05/2017 21:21

I bought a Safefill 5 years ago, mainly because I got fed up of chopping in 1/2 empty calor cylinders before going abroad.  My use of gas was probably moderate but on balance worth doing.  What really has benefitted me is having a new van with Alde heating and I am relaxed in letting it use dual fuel given especially it at the cool,end of the season.  Used probably a third of a cylinder over 3 days....do I give a jot...NO.  

The other advantage is I'm having a nightmare with with heavy noseweight and having only one cylinder helps.  

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