Over the years we have noticed that many owners of motorhomes, caravans and campervans experience exactly the same problem – but only once it has already ruined a trip.
This article began with yet another customer who contacted our customer support after the gas ran out unexpectedly in the night.
As this was not the first such feedback, we decided to share the story with you, because we believe many other owners of motorhomes, campervans and caravans have experienced exactly the same situation without knowing that a simple solution exists to avoid it.
We hope this article helps someone avoid the same unpleasant surprise.
It all started with a simple question
One morning we received an e-mail from a customer whose subject line immediately caught our attention.
“Can you recommend a reliable way to monitor how much gas is still left in my gas cylinder?”
When we contacted the customer to find out exactly what had happened, the customer shared a story that sounded surprisingly familiar. It was not the first time we had heard it.
“We woke up without gas… again.”
The customer explained: “Everything worked perfectly when we went to bed in the evening. The motorhome was warm, the gas heating was working nicely and the fridge was running on gas as usual.
The next morning we couldn't even boil eggs, because the gas cylinder had run empty during the night. There was no hot water, the stove wouldn't light and the fridge had already started to warm up. The worst part was that this wasn't the first time it had happened.”
Anyone who has travelled by motorhome knows how annoying this can be. A peaceful morning turns in an instant into an unexpected hunt for the nearest gas refill station. Instead of enjoying breakfast with a beautiful view, you worry about food, heating and how much of the travel day has already been lost.
Why does this keep happening?
The problem is not that gas cylinders run empty – that is inevitable.
The real problem is that most motorhome owners have absolutely no reliable way of knowing how much gas is actually left in the cylinder. Many still rely on shaking the cylinder, pouring hot water down its side, guesses based on previous trips, or simply hoping the gas will last.
Unfortunately, none of these methods is particularly accurate. And gas always seems to run out at the most inconvenient moment – at night, early in the morning, in cold weather, while cooking, or when you are furthest from the nearest refill station or cylinder exchange point.
Looking for a better solution
After discussing the customer's problem, we recommended installing Mopeka® ultrasonic gas level sensors on the gas cylinders.
Unlike traditional methods, Mopeka makes no assumptions. Using ultrasound technology, it measures the actual level of liquefied gas in the cylinder. The remaining amount of gas is displayed instantly in the free Mopeka smartphone app. Instead of wondering whether the gas will last another night, you simply look at your phone.
Installation took less than five minutes
The customer decided to order two Mopeka sensors – one for each gas cylinder. Installation was easy: no drilling, no wiring, no modifications and no special tools were needed.
The sensors attach to the bottom of the gas cylinder with magnets. Within a few minutes the customer could see on their phone the remaining gas level, the estimated remaining amount, the temperature in the cylinder and the sensor battery status – all straight from the smartphone.
A few weeks later…
A few weeks later we received a new message from the same customer. This time it was not a plea for help – it was simply feedback:
“Honestly, I wish I had discovered these gas level sensors years ago. Now I check both gas cylinders before every trip. I always know which cylinder to use first and when it is time to have it refilled. We have made several trips since installing the sensors, and not once has the gas unexpectedly run out on us. It is one less thing to worry about while travelling.”
That is exactly why we continue to recommend Mopeka to our customers.
Why more and more motorhome owners choose Mopeka
Mopeka sensors are trusted by thousands of motorhome owners around the world because they remove the uncertainty from monitoring the amount of gas.
Key advantages: accurate measurement, real-time monitoring via the Mopeka app, support for multiple gas cylinders, magnetic installation in minutes, no maintenance required, and compatibility with most steel and aluminium gas cylinders.
Whether it is a motorhome, campervan, caravan or fifth-wheel trailer – knowing exactly how much gas is left means fewer surprises and more pleasant trips.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know how much gas is left in my motorhome's cylinder? The Mopeka ultrasonic gas sensor accurately measures the level of liquefied gas in the cylinder and shows it directly on your smartphone.
Can the gas really run out overnight? Yes, definitely. If the fridge, boiler or heater runs all night, an almost empty cylinder can be completely empty by morning.
What happens when the gas cylinder runs empty? Depending on your motorhome's setup, you may lose the ability to cook, heating, hot water or fridge cooling. In colder weather this can be more than just an inconvenience.
Is the Mopeka difficult to install? Absolutely not. Most customers manage the installation in under five minutes – without drilling, wiring or modifying the gas cylinder.
You can also set up the app so that it alerts you itself when the amount of gas in the cylinder drops to a critical level.
In summary
Running out of gas is not unusual. What is unnecessary is being caught by surprise. A simple gas level sensor can remove the guesswork and help you avoid ruined holidays, spoiled food and cold mornings without coffee. Sometimes it is the smallest upgrades that make the biggest difference.
Have you experienced something similar?
Customer feedback is one of the main reasons we write these articles. If your gas cylinder has ever run empty at the worst possible moment – or you have found a clever solution to a common motorhome problem – let us know.
Browse our full range of Mopeka® gas level sensors and find out why more and more motorhome owners across Europe trust accurate gas monitoring on every trip.