Transporting Gas Cylinders to the Campsite

So you've bought a gas cylinder for camping and must get it to the campsite. How should you safely transport it? What are the laws on this? Fortunately, it's quite simple and needs common sense...

Transporting Gas Cylinders to the Campsite

you don't need to put a gas warning sign on your car

Unlike carrying large or commercial gas cylinders, you don't need to put a gas warning sign on your car or have a special driving license, but there are some sensible precautions you should take.

Cylinders should be secured so that they don't roll around while driving and should be kept upright (this is to avoid the liquid gas clogging the valve).

If you have a trailer, carrying the cylinder rather than your car is best.

If you put the gas cylinder in the car's boot, you might want to keep a window slightly open to provide additional ventilation, just in case there's a gas leak from the cylinder.

Leaving a gas cylinder in direct sunlight in a hot car is also not a good idea. Gas cylinders can explode when they get hot.

Having said all that, the actual risk from a small gas cylinder used for camping is quite low, and Campingaz says their cylinders are safe for car transport. Still, it is wise to use common sense and not take unnecessary risks when taking your family camping.

Tips for Transporting your Camping Gas Cylinders

• Secure your cylinder so it doesn't roll around.
• Keep the cylinder upright.
• If you have a trailer, place the cylinder in that.
• Make the cylinder easy to access to inspect.
• Don't leave the cylinder in direct sunlight or a hot car.

Transporting gas cylinders to Europe

When writing this, Eurotunnel had a 47kg limit on a single gas cylinder, but it must be less than 80% full.

For your typical family campers with a tent, a 47kg container is extremely large, and you'll be fine with the normal smaller containers, such as the Campingaz R907 (which is 2.75kg).

When you check-in, you may be asked if you are carrying any gas, and they may want to inspect your gas cylinder, so make sure it is easily accessible.

Please check with Eurotunnel for their latest rules before travelling.

Ferry Operators have similar rules to Eurotunnel. You need to check your ferry operator before travelling and check your route, too, as it can vary for different destinations.

As a general guide:

• The number of gas cylinders you are allowed to transport can vary. When we checked, different routes had different rules, as you can see below:
  • up to 1 x 47kg cylinder (but less than 80% full)
  • up to 2 x 11kg cylinders
  • up to 3 x 11kg cylinders
  • up to 3 x 15kg cylinders
• Any gas must be off
• Declare the gas cylinder (most require this when you check in)
• Cylinder is secured and upright
• Cylinder is accessible for inspection

Thousands hop over the channel with their gas cylinders to go camping in France and the rest of Europe.

If you take the appropriate measures, you won't have a problem.