Motorhome Gas Canisters

The camping stove is a feature of any good holiday and trying to light up those little blue canisters in the pouring rain is something few of us will forget in a hurry! But whether you have a camping stove on board or perhaps an integrated gas cooker, travelling with gas canisters can prove problematic if you’re trying to travel abroad and there are a few safety requirements to bear in mind.

Storing Gas

When you’re on the road keep your gas canister well away from your driving position and away from anything that might cause a spark. Even things like mobile phones have been known to generate static so don’t take any risks. Your best bet is probably to stow your gas canisters away in a high locker at the rear of your vehicle so they can’t be compressed or ignited and, in the event of an accident, they’re not too close to the fuel tank.

Ferries and the Tunnel

Some ferry companies will ban gas canisters onboard and the regulations on the Eurotunnel are also very stringent on what you may and may not carry. This is something that you should investigate before travelling because ignoring the regulations could invalidate your campervan insurance. The good thing is you can buy gas very easily and one of the primary suppliers of camping gas, Campingaz, are actually based in France so it’s reasonably easy to get hold of what you need.

Travelling with gas is safe as long as you think about what you’re doing. Don’t expose a gas canister to anything that might generate a flame and store it somewhere that, if it did go off, wouldn’t be too much of a disaster. Equally, follow all regulations you’re given when travelling over (or under) the sea – there are always reasons behind the rules and most of them are in place for your safety.