Gas Cylinder Query

[baz1]

Hi There,

I was just wondering if I could pick your brains, we have bought a new camper trailer, and on the specs it provides that the part of the trailer which takes the gas cylinder (attached to the outside of the trailer as with most campers), takes a 4.5kg gas cylinder. I am just wondering, presumably 4.5 kg gas cylinders come in all shapes and sizes, so how are you supposed to know what gas cylinder to buy, without dragging your trailer all around town and trying out all the different cylinder sizes?

Also, do you think it's dangerous to have the gas cylinder attached to the outside of the trailer? Presumably if you were in an accident and another car hit the cylinder it could be interesting...

Cheers 

[jeb1900]

Hey mate,

4.5kg bottles do vary slightly between manufacturers but often it is not significant enough to cause you issues as the cylinder ring can usually accommodate a reasonable variation in bottle size. 

All the same, I think it would be a good idea to measure across your cylinder ring to make sure that the diameter is similar enough. 

In regards to the gas bottles in an accident.  Definitely, carrying gas does add an extra element of danger to an accident.  Though it's fairly unusual for a accident to include flames (despite the movies).  They are also very well secured.  Not to mention, more than likely your car will take the brunt of any accident.  Ontop of this they are usually outside, or very well ventilated so there should be no explosions, more just large flames if for some reason the gas bottles were to somehow catch on fire. 

What is more scary, is how many people mount gas bottles onto their roofrack.  I hope they've got them well secured, it'd be nasty to be in a crash with them and end up with a gas bottle in your lap. 

Cheers,

Jon

[xcvator]

Hi There,

Presumably if you were in an accident and another car hit the cylinder it could be interesting...

Cheers 

Don't worry mate, if it got that "interesting" you probably won't know a thing about it 

[krisandkev]

I am sure it has happened, but after spending 30 years attending numerous traffic collisions, I have never seen a gas cylinder on fire as a result of the collision.   I remember a number of years ago on the Bruce Highway north of us there was a collision between a semi carrying full large gas cylinders, a van and 2 cars. The van had attempted to overtake some cars and collided head on with the semi.  6 dead.  The gas cylinders went everywhere but none caught fire.  They did leak as there was a thick blanket of gas vapour at the scene. 
Like I said, I know it has happened, but it must be pretty rare. And if a cylinder is to catch fire it is best that it is on the outside! 
Leaking gas is more of a concern.  That potential scares me.

Kevin

[baz1]

Thanks for all the replies guys, it is the prospect of a vehicle colliding with the side of the trailer and striking the gas cylinder that has me wondering what the result would be. It would not necessarily catch fire, but I wonder if the gas cylinder 'compacting' would have explosive results.

I'll just have to hope it never happens!

[austastar]

Hi,
   if the cylinder ruptured it would spill liquid gas and it would all boil off, making a blanket of cold vapour in the area.
Depending on air movement this would mostly disperse down hill.
The potential for a huge flame ignition is there of course and these can be very nasty.
If there is no ignition source it should disperse harmlessly, if there is an ignition source, the window of opportunity for a gas explosion is a reasonably low range of gas/air mixtures and there is the possibility that it won't ignite. HOWEVER immediate evacuation of everyone away from the vapour cloud must be a priority just in case.
cheers