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The four fittings you will meet.
Europe does not run on a single nozzle. There are four fitting types, and the one you need can change the moment you cross a border. UK refillable systems such as Gaslow, GasIt and Safefill come with a Bayonet fill point as standard. You screw the right country adapter into that fill point and you are good to go. Carry all four adapters and it stops being something you think about.
A handful of stations near popular border crossings carry more than one nozzle, but that is not something to rely on. Carry the full set.
The adapter kit to buy.
Anyone who has toured Europe more than once will tell you the same thing: buy the bundled kit, not individual adapters. The 3-piece set covers Dish, ACME and Euronozzle, which between them takes care of every country you are likely to visit. Buy it once, put it in the gas locker, and leave it there.
- Gaslow European Adapter Kit, roughly 45 to 55 GBP. The gold standard for UK owners and the one most mechanics and dealers recommend.
- GasIt European Adapter Set, roughly 40 GBP. The primary UK competitor to Gaslow. Same job, threads into the standard UK Bayonet fill point.
- Unbranded kits from Amazon or LPG Shop, roughly 25 to 35 GBP. These often work perfectly well, but read the reviews. Some cheaper imports have brass threading that can cross-thread, or are missing a proper internal non-return valve.
- Safefill-specific adapters, roughly 50 GBP. If you use Safefill translucent bottles, the thread size on the bottle itself is different and you need Safefill's own adapters.
Stick with the Gaslow or GasIt 3-piece kit if you can. Saving 20 GBP on a generic set is a false economy if it fails on a quiet forecourt somewhere in rural Spain.
Refillable system, or gas bottles?
If you only travel in the UK, two Calor bottles will see you right and this section is not for you. Once you cross the Channel, things work differently. There are three realistic options.
Option 1: Fit a refillable system
A Gaslow, GasIt or Safefill setup costs roughly 300 to 600 GBP fitted, including the bottle, regulator, fill point and pigtails. After that, you fill up at roadside Autogas pumps using the adapter kit above. Most regular European tourers go this route eventually, and the cost pays back in around 10 to 15 fills.
Option 2: Keep a Campingaz 907 as backup
Campingaz 907 bottles can be swapped at campsites and outdoor shops across the continent, which makes them a reliable fallback. The catch is the size: 2.75 kg does not go far, and at 35 to 40 GBP a swap they are expensive for everyday use. Keep one as a spare for emergencies, not as your main supply.
Option 3: Set off on Calor and buy local
This is what catches most first-timers out. You leave home with two full Calor bottles and empty one near Le Mans. You buy a French bottle, Antargaz or similar, to replace it, and suddenly you have three bottles: one full French, one empty French when you move on, and a Calor that no one on the continent will take back. Most gas lockers hold two at most, so the orphaned bottle ends up under a seat or eating into your payload. When you get home, the French bottle is just as stranded. Skip the merry-go-round and go refillable.
If you are planning more than one European trip, fit a refillable system. The outlay pays back quickly, and the peace of mind alone is worth a good chunk of that cost.
LPG, country by country.
The fitting and the availability for every country we cover. The fitting is in the right-hand column.
Buying adapters before you leave.
- Gaslow Direct, gaslowdirect.com. The official source for Gaslow systems and adapter kits.
- The LPG Shop, thelpgshop.co.uk. A long-standing specialist retailer with a good range.
- Autogas 2000, autogas2000.co.uk. A trusted supplier and a good choice if you are thinking about having a refillable system fitted.
- Amazon UK. Fine for next-day delivery before a trip. Read reviews carefully, as cheaper imports can have poorly machined threads that do not seal properly.
- Motorhome dealers such as Marquis Leisure and Camper UK usually stock Gaslow kits in their accessory shops.
Order early.
Halfords occasionally has a single Bayonet adapter on the shelf, but rarely the full 3-piece European kit. Order online and give yourself enough time before the ferry. And note that Morrisons and Shell have been closing LPG pumps at sites around the country, so before you drive to your nearest one, check it is still open.
The questions people ask most.
Can I exchange Calor gas bottles in Europe?
No, and there is no workaround. Once you are off the ferry, a Calor bottle cannot be exchanged anywhere on the Continent. Your practical options are: fit a refillable system such as Gaslow or GasIt before you go, carry a Campingaz bottle as a backup for cooking, or buy a local bottle and the right regulator pigtail once you arrive. Most UK motorhomers end up going the refillable route.
What LPG adapter do I need for France?
France uses the Dish fitting. Rather than buying a single adapter, it is worth getting the 3-piece European kit, which covers Dish, ACME and Euronozzle. Prices typically run from 40 GBP to 55 GBP and that one kit covers every country most UK motorhomers drive through. Gaslow and GasIt are the two names worth looking at.
Is Autogas the same as LPG?
Yes. Autogas is simply the name used across Europe for LPG sold at a roadside pump. It is the same liquid whether it goes into a vehicle fuel tank or a refillable motorhome gas bottle. Same product, different label.
Can I refill my motorhome gas in Italy?
In theory yes, but in practice many Italian Autogas stations refuse to fill a motorhome domestic gas system. Italian tax law draws a distinction between traction fuel and heating fuel, and a lot of forecourt staff will not touch the latter. UK motorhomers regularly report visiting four or five stations before finding one that will help. Save yourself the frustration and cross into Italy with a full tank from France or Austria.