There is a trap door in the floor of the Bluebird, just behind the driver's seat. Under the flap/door, there is what seems to be a wooden box with some small vents. This box can be lifted up and removed from the van, which leaves a great square hole in the floor - and you can see the ground underneath.
What is it for? Is it some kind of gas extract in case there should be a gas leak in the system? Or is it something completely different? I'm just puzzled as to what it is.
Although a different model (ours was a Bluebird Wanderer), that is in exactly the same place and looks the same as the original gas storage locker, designed to take a Camping Gaz bottle (too small for Calor Gas). It is fitted below the floor with vents at the bottom, so that any escaping gas is vented safely outside. There should be a hole in the side, near the top for the gas pipe, which would have been routed under the vehicle, coming up through the floor in the cupboard which houses the cooker, with a gas tap close to the floor.
Thanks very much for that, Chris ! I had a feeling that it had something to do with the gas system, but the box is so small that I couldn't figure out how. But the Camping Gaz bottle makes sense, as they are so much smaller
My Bluebird Highwayman has Calorgas bottles (room for two) underneath the small bench behind the driver's seat. I should imagine that this is a retrofit then, possibly because the Camping Gaz bottles will leave you with too little gas capacity compared to the (much) larger Calorgas bottles/containers.
Chris, did you use the Camping Gaz system, or were you running an altered gas system/setup? I'm asking as I will have to do something with the gas system on the camper at some stage anyway, and it would be good to know from others' experiences in order to decide which route to take. The underfloor gas storage is certainly a more attractive option from a security point of view, but I'm concerned about the gas capacity on the smaller container which had to be used.
Ours was totally original as the van was only a few months old when we bought it early in 1968. We used Camping Gaz 907 cylinders and always carried a spare in the wardrobe. We used to be away for 4 or 5 weeks at a time, so never ran short. In those days you could only buy Calor Gas in the UK, so it was no use for continental touring, so we stuck with the Camping Gaz. Also, with us three children, a tent and all the clothes and equipment needed for long trips, there wasn't much room left in a Wanderer for the larger Calor cylinders. Today I would opt for Calor.
That is very interesting indeed ! And thanks for very detailed information. I will look into this in some more depth and see what would be best in the long run.
What concerns Calor, I'm pretty sure you won't get it over here today either.. I got the bottles with the camper when I bought it, mainly to be sure I had a starting point with regards to fitment and function. The entire gas system will need attention anyway, and - like you say - it is essential that you choose a system which allows for refills in other European countries as well, just like 40-odd years ago.
One advantage the Highwayman has over the Wanderer is, of course, the extra space. Which means that there are possibilities for alternative layouts compared to the Wanderer.
That will save me a repair patch! just cut it out and put a gas box in!!!!
I sorted my garage into 4 piles of stuff.
1. Stuff I`m keeping
2. Stuff I`m not getting rid of.
3. Stuff I might use..one day.
4. Stuff that might come in handy.
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