LPG tanks and tow bars

Technical questions and answers about the Mazda Bongo

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garybongo

LPG tanks and tow bars

Post by garybongo » Wed Apr 07, 2010 3:12 pm

Hello,

I ve had a fantastic Prins LPG system fitted by AJC of Southampton. However I have bought a tow bar that will not fit unless I move the gas tank. Has anyone else had this problem? Is there a tow bar that will fit without having to make any modifications, they do seem to come in all sorts of different shapes but its really difficult to tell from the pictures.

Any advice would be very welcome..!

thanks

Gary
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haydn callow
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Re: LPG tanks and tow bars

Post by haydn callow » Wed Apr 07, 2010 5:23 pm

You should be able to get a TowBar which does not interfere with the gas tank...Is it a doughnut tank that fits where the spare wheel sits underneath ??
I am waiting to pick up a new Bongo at the moment and it is having LPG fitted (where the spare wheel normally sits) and they are fitting a towbar for me...So !! it can defo be done....You could phone Paul at LPG Imports to get the make of towbar they are fitting. But I would think most towbars would fit...after all they do not involve the spare wheel as a rule..
Is it a 2lt or a V6 ??? be interested to know how a 2lt goes on LPG
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garybongo

Re: LPG tanks and tow bars

Post by garybongo » Thu Apr 08, 2010 7:34 am

haydn callow wrote: Is it a 2lt or a V6 ??? be interested to know how a 2lt goes on LPG

Hi .. Thanks for that I ll give them a bell.. We have a 2.5 V6, Prins system running really well.
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haydn callow
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Re: LPG tanks and tow bars

Post by haydn callow » Thu Apr 08, 2010 9:17 am

Mine was going to be a AUTO GAS system but this is now going to be ROMANO.....haven't a clue what it's all about yet......How do you find the power against running on petrol and how does the running costs compare
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apole
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Re: LPG tanks and tow bars

Post by apole » Thu Apr 08, 2010 9:43 am

Hi there,

Regarding the tank and the tow bar, it depends on where the tank is and how large it is. Mine is a 54 litre torroidal tank that basically is a donut shape and fits where the spare wheel is.

I have a towbar put on afterwards and it is a towsure, no problems there.

My LPG fitter has done a few bongos' and the largest tank he got on was 96 litres. His comment on that was it's good to have the capacity for the gas for range etc but you then needed to consider air suspension as that's a lot of extra weight at the back of the car when full.

If I was to do it all again with the LPG, I would definitely get the biggest tank I could fit as it's nice to not have to stop if you are on a long journey, plus you don't need to always have it full up. Air suspension is quite cheap (£100) and does make a good difference.

If it's not too late ask the fitter if he can waxoyl under the tank before he fits it as access afterwards is harder.

Andy
garybongo

Re: LPG tanks and tow bars

Post by garybongo » Thu Apr 08, 2010 9:44 am

haydn callow wrote:Mine was going to be a AUTO GAS system but this is now going to be ROMANO.....haven't a clue what it's all about yet......How do you find the power against running on petrol and how does the running costs compare

Yes there are lots of systems about, I made a list of all on offer and asked different fitters their opinions on them all. I managed to get some unbiased opinions and went for what I thought was the best. One area I felt was very important is the tuning once its fitted, AJC wanted a week to run it and check all was ok. This might be ott but its running perfectly now!

The power loss is negligable, I ve only noticed it once and this was going up a very steep hill when it switched from petrol to gas. I have heard that 2 litre engines can struggle a little, depends on load I suppose..

Running costs are an improvement. I ve no idea how long it will take get my money back I do know I ve done 850 km and its cost me about £60.00 in gas and about £20.00 in petrol which is about 10.5p a mile.. I think..


cheers
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haydn callow
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Re: LPG tanks and tow bars

Post by haydn callow » Thu Apr 08, 2010 10:11 am

I belive mine is going to be a 70lt tank and Paul @ LPG Imports (who has been very helpful) said the underside above the tank will be undersealed. then the tank fitted then the rest of the underside undersealed. 10.5p per mile sounds good to me .....about half the cost of just diesel/petrol. As said before this does not account for the system (£1000 fitted from LPG Imports) But if you factor it into the cost of the vehicle and get said vehicle at a good price then it works out o.k. and you will get a better price if you sell it on or you can remove it and refit....It seems the RAMANO system allows the owner to a "DIY injector cleaning" if you should get contaminated gas.
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Re: LPG tanks and tow bars

Post by beasd mr Friendee » Fri Jul 08, 2011 8:17 am

so, gary bongo, did you get a tow bar fitted? I'm just catching up on the thread as We too have a bongo with LPG already fitted, we've had it for 3 years now and have really enjoyed the cost savings- particularly as we watched the prices of petrol and diesel soar. I don't know what size it is but it takes about 45litres when filling it up.

However, as we have our annual camping holiday in it with our children and they are fast out growing it we need to be taking extra kit to use the awning for sleeping and are running out of space inside.

Want a trailer/bike rack etc to go on a tow bar but the LPG tank sits maybe an inch and a half from the rear bumper in the spare wheel space.

Bob from NSomerset :D very kindly showed me around his bike rack and tow bar which looked really solid-i liked the style of the rack very much but the fitting of the tow bar remains an issue. :?:

We were wondering whether to get the LPG fitters to look at fitting the tow bar or whether we should go to a tow bar fitter and see what they think about the tank?

What would you suggest- anyone?????
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Re: LPG tanks and tow bars

Post by Poohbear » Fri Jul 08, 2011 8:48 am

The Towsure towbar seems to attach to the rear bumper brackets and doesn't extend under the vehicle any further than the underside of the bumper. It certainly doesn't get anywhere near the spare wheel. I would guess that it would fit with a gas tank.
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