What you need
- Work gloves
- The gas locker key
- A full replacement bottle
Step by step
Understand how the system works
The motorhome carries two bottles connected to a Truma DuoControl CS regulator. When one runs out, the regulator switches automatically to the second, with no interruption to the heating or the hob. So you will never run out of gas without warning: you will have plenty of time to change the empty one calmly.
Check which bottle is empty
Open the gas locker with its key. The regulator has an indicator that shows when a bottle has run out; we show you how to read it at handover. To double-check, lift the bottle slightly: an empty one weighs far less than a full one.
Turn off appliances and close the empty bottle
Before touching anything, switch off the hob and make sure there are no flames and nobody smoking nearby. Close the valve on the empty bottle by turning it clockwise. The other bottle can stay open: the regulator stops gas escaping from the disconnected side.
Disconnect the hose
Unscrew the hose connection from the empty bottle by hand. Careful: many gas fittings have a left-hand thread, so if it will not budge, do not force it; try the other direction. Release the strap or bracket holding the bottle and lift it out carefully.
Fit the full bottle
Stand the full bottle upright in its place and secure it firmly with the strap or bracket so it cannot move while driving. Screw the hose on by hand, without tools and without overtightening, checking that the seal is in good condition and properly seated.
Open it and check for leaks
Open the valve on the new bottle. If you smell gas, close it straight away and check the connection. You can brush a little soapy water over the joint: bubbles mean a leak. Never use a flame to check. If all is well, close the locker.
Replace the empty bottle before returning
Bottles are handed over full and must be returned full; otherwise the gas used is charged. If one runs out during the trip, replace it when you can so you always travel with a reserve. At handover we explain which type of bottle it uses and where to refill it.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a gas bottle last?
It depends mainly on the heating. In summer, cooking and heating water, a bottle lasts quite a few days; in winter, with the heating on often, it goes much faster. That is why it is useful to keep both connected.
Propane or butane?
In the cold, propane is better: butane barely vaporises near 0 °C and the heating could cut out. If you are travelling in winter, read our winter motorhome guide.
Can I run the heating while driving?
Yes. The DuoControl CS regulator has a crash sensor that shuts off the gas in an accident, which allows the heating to run on the move. Even so, switch it off when refuelling and wherever it is prohibited.
