The question of which kind of gas to take on tour is pretty straightforward, but if you're not a seasoned caravanner, it can seem confusing. There are two main decisions that you need to make: which gas and which manufacturer. As a general rule, Calor is the main supplier of bottled gas for touring caravans, and stores butane in blue containers and propane in red.

The first thing to bear in mind is which type of gas you should be taking on tour. You have a choice of butane or propane and both are popular with caravan owners. Propane is the better choice for year-round use, because it flows in very cold conditions, while butane does not.

The next decision is choosing a supplier. As we've said, Calor is the most popular and most likely to be found in campsite shops for a quick swap around. Butane canisters can be swapped for propane and vice versa, but different connectors are needed to switch the bottles.

If you are planning a trip to the Continent, Camping Gaz cylinders are a popular upgrade. Calor isn't readily available outside the UK, but the smaller Camping Gaz cylinders are. Again, you'll need a new pigtail or regulator, depending on your van, in order to switch.

BP Gas Light cylinders are not as popular, but offer a lower weight than current Calor cylinders and a simple clip-on connection to the bottles. Check the dimensions of your gas locker. The bottles are 305mm in diameter, which may be too large for some older vans. They are propane only.