Gas in your motorhome – Here's what you should know!

Gas powers the stove, heater, hot water, and often the refrigerator in a motorhome. When used correctly and regularly inspected, a gas system is safe and practical. Here you'll learn how the system works, why propane is preferred over butane in winter, what inspection requirements have been in place since 2025, and what you need to know for travel to Italy.

This is how the gas system in a motorhome works

Bottle, pressure regulator and hoses

The liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is stored in gas cylinders in the gas locker or in a permanently installed tank under the vehicle. Each cylinder has a shut-off valve. A pressure regulator reduces the cylinder pressure to the consistent operating pressure of the appliances (usually 30 mbar in Germany). Permanently installed pipes run from the gas locker to the appliances. Each appliance has its own shut-off valve inside the vehicle, allowing you, for example, to disconnect the stove while continuing to use the heater.

The gas box

The gas locker is a compartment sealed off from the living area with a vent near the bottom. Since liquid gas is heavier than air, a leak would cause it to escape through this vent into the open air instead of into the living space. Therefore, always keep the vent clear. Most motorhomes can accommodate two 11 kg gas cylinders in the gas locker, while converted vans often only have room for one.

Turning devices on and off

1. Open the bottle valve in the gas locker.
2. Open the shut-off valve of the desired device inside.
3. Switch on the appliance: For a stove, press and turn the control knob and ignite the flame using a piezo igniter, gas lighter, or lighter. Modern heaters ignite automatically via the control panel.
4. After use, switch off the device, set the rotary control to zero and – especially before driving and during longer breaks – close all valves and the bottle.

Propane or butane: Which is better?

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for campers consists of propane, butane, or a mixture of both. Temperature is crucial, as the appliances require the gas in a gaseous state.

	propane	Butane
boiling point	approx. −42 °C	approx. −0,5 °C
Does it evaporate in freezing temperatures?	Yes, down to about -42 °C	No, it remains liquid below approximately 0 °C.
Suitable for	Year-round, winter camping	warm months

Butane is only usable at temperatures above freezing: In freezing conditions, it remains liquid in the bottle, the flame becomes smaller or goes out, even though the bottle is still full. Propane, on the other hand, evaporates down to about -42°C and is therefore the standard filling in Germany and for winter camping. Gas purchased abroad can have a higher butane content depending on the country and time of year – not a problem in summer, but you should pay attention to this for a winter trip to the mountains.

Safety and inspection obligation

Gas inspection according to G 607 is mandatory again

For motorhomes and caravans with LPG systems, a gas inspection according to DVGW worksheet G 607 is mandatory every two years. This inspection is separate from the main vehicle inspection; since the end of the transition period on June 19, 2025, fines are imposed for exceeding the inspection interval (according to the ADAC, between €15 and €60 depending on the duration). Inspections can be carried out by organizations such as TÜV, DEKRA, and other authorized experts; the ADAC estimates the cost at around €40 to €80. Keep the inspection certificate in your vehicle – some campsites request it.

Heating while driving

Anyone wishing to operate their gas heater or refrigerator while driving requires, according to the European standard EN 1949, a gas pressure regulator with a crash sensor that automatically shuts off the gas supply in the event of an accident, as well as high-pressure hoses with hose rupture protection . If these are missing, the gas must be turned off while driving. When refueling, all gas appliances must be switched off.

Is Propane Dangerous?

Propane and butane are highly flammable. Even a small spark can trigger an explosion at a gas concentration of just 1,5 to 11 percent in the air. Because the gas is heavier than air, it collects near the ground. When inhaled, it displaces oxygen. However, a properly inspected and correctly operated system is safe – most accidents result from lack of maintenance or improper handling. If you smell gas: turn off the cylinder, do not operate any switches, avoid open flames, ventilate the area, and have the system checked.

Install a gas detector

Ein Gaswarner ist kein Muss, aber ein sinnvoller Helfer: Durch Materialschäden, Unfälle oder undichte Anschlüsse können Lecks entstehen, die ein Warner frühzeitig meldet. Die Montage ist einfach, viele Geräte brauchen nur einen 12-V- oder USB-Anschluss. Achten Sie darauf, dass der Warner für Propan und Butan geeignet ist und möglichst tief montiert wird.

Editor's tip: As experienced motorhome users, we never skimp on a proper gas detector. When buying one, make sure it's suitable for propane or butane.

Gas cylinder, gas tank or refillable cylinder?

What bottle size?

In Germany, 5 kg and 11 kg gas cylinders are common. Those who only need gas for cooking can manage with smaller cylinders. For trips abroad, the blue Campingaz cylinders are popular and available in exchange systems in many European countries – however, they are relatively expensive and small. Gas cylinders are available in steel as well as lighter aluminum or plastic versions, which are helpful when payload is limited.

Deposit bottle or own bottle?

In Germany, there are two types of bottles : privately owned (usually grey), which you can exchange for a full bottle at many retailers, and deposit or rental bottles (usually red or in the retailer's colors), which can only be exchanged or returned to the respective retailer. If you don't already own a bottle, you pay a one-time purchase price or deposit and then only for the contents.

Gas abroad and in Italy

Gas cylinders, valves, and connections are not standardized across Europe. An adapter set can bridge many connections, but it doesn't solve the exchange problem. In Italy, German gas cylinders are neither exchanged nor refilled at LPG filling stations. Italian 10 kg cylinders with an adapter for the German connection (G.12) are an option, or you can use a refillable cylinder with an 80% fill stop, which you can fill at LPG filling stations with the appropriate adapter (usually Dish in Italy). For detailed information on where to buy gas in Italy and how much a cylinder costs, see Camping Gas in Italy . Further travel tips can be found under Motorhome Travel to Tuscany and Winter Camping in Tuscany.

Alternatives to gas in motorhomes

Heating and hot water consume the most gas. Therefore, many campers opt for a diesel heater powered by the vehicle's fuel tank – diesel is readily available everywhere. An electric heater is only worthwhile with shore power. An electric compressor refrigerator is suitable, and with a solar panel and a powerful onboard battery, it can even operate independently. For cooking, a small gas cylinder or an induction cooktop with sufficient power reserve is often all that's needed.

All camping-related topics – from campsites by the sea to pitches and rules – can be found in our guide Camping Holidays in Tuscany.

Frequently asked questions about gas in motorhomes