In search of propane - or - Next time, pony up the Internet fee!

There's a blog entry I never posted from Switzerland, which carries the same theme - "in search of propane and propane accessories." Thus far, we have only encountered problems with finding propane filling stations in Switzerland and Spain. The other countries we've visited have propane at the normal gas stations and issues have been simply related to having the right adaptor (which we still need to purchase our own).




In Switzerland, there are only about 18 propane filling stations, most of which are located in the Zürich region. From St. Blaise, we drove to Interlaken (gorgeous drive) to get propane. We found a plant in Winterthur that was really easy to access and felt fortunate.



Spain is more difficult. Most of the cans used are butane, which we cannot use as it's too hot for our refrigerator.



Resources for finding propane filling stations in Europe:
LPG & CNG Tankstellenverzeichnis - http://gas-tankstellen.de/menu.php
Autogas - http://www.autogastanken.de/
In Valencia, you can find propane at the Taxcor station: GPS: 39.45798N 0.40914W



Our search in Spain started with asking other campers. One couple said it's possible, but difficult. Another camper confirmed that propane was available at a filling station near us (at the time, we were in Peniscola). Everyone told us to look for "butano."



We never found "butano" - we had assumed it was a manufacturing plant. Nope. Seems to be the Spanish word for "butane." Regardless.



Day 1: Mission Impossible


We took the N332 towards Valencia, stopping at virtually every gas station along the way. No propane. If asked, they said to look for "butano just ahead." Finally, through broken English/Spanish, we were directed to the Repsol in Nules.



The Repsol in Nules was just a warehouse of butane and propane tanks. Won't work for us. The gentleman was kind enough to suggest we drive to the El Graco Repsol YPL. He even looked at my laptop (which I resorted to taking with me whenever I stepped out of the RV) to confirm the direction. Off we set, toward the port at El Graco. Only we had no idea where to go once we get there. You guessed it, we went to the wrong area of the port. The gaurd was nice enough to talk to me and confirm that yes, we would need to return and follow the "Industrial" signs.



Back we went. Starting to feel like the cast of Gilligan's Island (we had promised the kids we wouldn't drive long today), we followed the signs for "Industrial Port" still now knowing where we will find Repsol YPL. Once we were in the right area of the port, the signs made it easy. While Dan turned the motorhome around, I approached the gate (I didn't see the pedestrian gate, so I stood next to the call box in front of a huge, orange truck gate). The greeting is of course in Spanish. I ask for English. The next voice is in English but is so loud, I have to back up. Long story short, I'm escorted in to the office to make my request. The one person who spoke English left and returned with a regulator and a tank fitting. "Do you have these?" he asked.



"No, I have the original German tank opening." I got a very confused look. "You must have these or else it's impossible in Spain." He proceeded to talk to his boss and suddenly I have three people scurrying around, discussing what to do. The person helping me said, "you must convert to a bottle."



Sadly for me, the motorhome is now parked across the street and out of sight. I must have looked like a crazy woman, insisting that there must be a way to get propane in our tank, which is mounted to our motorhome.



I finally conviced the attendant to follow me out of the gates and talk to Dan. He looked at the unit and again told us we must convert to bottles in order to refill. He and Dan talked it out, agreeing on what needs to be done. The assistant then led me back in to the building and had a fourth person go for a length of low pressure hose. Handing me the low pressure hose and two c-clamps, he gave me a piece of paper with the phone number for the "warehouse" and another for the "shop." Apparently, I can get a tank at the "warehouse" and a regulator at the "shop" - both in Castelleon. They then convince another employee to get into his car and escort us to the "warehouse" - which they aren't sure if it's open or not - and the phone is not being answered. It might be 5pm before they open.



Following someone who has never driven a motorhome is always fun, especially on tiny beat up streets and the cooresponding 2-lane roundabouts with 6 exits. We made it to the "warehouse" - a non-signed building with a brick wall and imposing looking gate in a very uncomfortable looking part of town. Fortunately, the owner arrived just as we were about to give up - I understood not a word, but blindly followed these people around and exited with a used regulator but not a tank. Getting a tank is more complicated. It requires a contract. The assistant raised his shoulders - indicated that "maybe" I could get one from the "shop" but he didn't know what time they are open. He kindly pointed out on the map where we would be able to find the shop, then took off.





By now, it's 3:45pm. We had made an appointment enroute for an oil change at 4:00pm at a Ford Service Center that we found along the way (quite a ways back). There's no way we are going to be able to drive through downtown Castelleon, looking for the "shop."





Feeling dejected, we decided to head back to the Ford Service Center and be 20-minutes late, but at least accomplish something for the day. And that's what we did. The manager of the shop thought we were funny and was surprised to see a Ford chassis on a motorhome. He and his apprentice quickly got to work and did a fine job changing the oil, fuel filter, air filter, oil filter. You should have seen the look on his face when he pulled the dipstick out to check the oil level - it's about 6-ft in length. His parting word (with a smile) was "Americans."





We went back to the parking lot in Peniscola for the night. Paid for Internet connectivity. Went online and downloaded all the addresses for as many countries as I could. For what we spent on gas...



Day 2: Accomplishing the Impossible:

The next morning, we headed out again - this time with an address of a gas station that has propane pumps. We made a few navigational mistakes - largely due to obvious infrastructure updates which are not yet in our mapping software. Finally found the Taxcor station, which has Repsol branded tanks. The station has three sets of tanks, all at opposing angles and each with different clearance levels on their overhangs. Dan had to back out, turn around on the street and back the RV in, as close as possible to their overhang (which is under 3,6m tall). Where there's a will, there's a way. Only wish I had thought to pull out the camera and take a picture.





We are now too far south to go back to Peniscola. At some point, I rechecked our camping destination and saw I had made a mistake - the campground I wanted to visit doesn't open until the 15th of February. Very long story short, we backtracked about 40km but ran into various restrictions at the campgrounds along the way - mostly due to height; one or two due to weight restrictions.

On a recommendation from a fellow camper, we aimed for Cullera - he had indicated that there was area large enough for us. We were trying for the campground, but never actually found it - our mapping software leading us to a street that is no longer a street but a part of the huge boardwalk. A total stranger who showed us where other motorhomes were camping said that we were too big for the campground anyway. So, we spent a night wildcamping in Cullera. There were several other motorhomes with us. We were happy to be off the highway and to have made it through the tiny streets of Cullera as well as we did.



After taking the girls out for a stroll the next morning, we found the path out was much easier. Again, there have been massive infrastructure updates to some of these areas and our mapping software has not quite caught up.

Towns we missed but that warrant time - Castelleon, Valencia, Cullera.

We've been warned several times lately to be really careful in Southern Spain. Yet in the past 3-days, we have encountered so many helpful and accomodating people that I'm left in awe. I know we have to be careful - that's a given no matter where you travel. We just feel fortunate to have encountered hospitable, helpful folks. We are appreciative of the assistance.