LPG is heavier than air. If there’s a leak in your caravan’s gas system, gas pools at floor level, invisible and potentially undetected until you either smell it (LPG has an added odorant) or, in a worst case, it reaches an ignition source. An LPG leak detector is a small electronic device that continuously monitors the air in your caravan for gas and sounds an alarm if it detects a leak. It’s a safety device, not a convenience device, and it could save your life.
How They Work
An LPG detector is installed low in the van (near floor level, where gas accumulates) and connects to your 12V system. It continuously samples the air and triggers an audible and visual alarm if it detects LPG concentration above a safe threshold. Most detectors draw minimal power (0.1 to 0.3A) and operate silently until triggered.
Some newer caravans come with factory-fitted gas detectors. If yours doesn’t have one, an aftermarket detector costs $50 to $150 and takes 30 minutes to install.
What We Recommend
CBE Gas Detector (Best Overall, $80 to $120): The most common aftermarket LPG detector in Australian caravans. 12V hardwired, compact, and reliable. Loud 85dB alarm with a red LED warning light. Draws minimal power (under 0.1A) and is well-proven across thousands of caravan installations. Available from most caravan accessory retailers.
Dometic Gas Detector GD200 (Premium, $120 to $150): Detects both LPG and CO (carbon monoxide), making it a dual-safety device. Particularly worth considering if you use gas heating, as incomplete gas combustion can produce CO. Slightly more expensive but covers two risks in one unit.
BEP LPG Detector 600-GD (Budget, $50 to $80): Simple, affordable 12V gas detector with audible alarm. Does one job well. No frills, no app connectivity — just reliable gas detection at the lowest price point. A good choice if you simply want basic protection without overthinking it.
Combo option: If you’re also installing a gas bottle monitor (like the Mopeka Pro Check), some travellers mount a leak detector near the cooktop and a second near the gas bottle compartment entry point for maximum coverage. At $50 to $80 per unit, doubling up is cheap insurance.
Where To Install
Install the detector near the floor (LPG sinks), close to gas appliances or gas lines, and away from sources of steam or cooking fumes that might cause false alarms. Near the cooktop at floor level is a common and effective position. Don’t install it in a cupboard or behind furniture where the alarm would be muffled.
Do You Really Need One?
You rely on gas every day in your caravan. Connections vibrate loose during travel. Hoses age and crack. Regulators can fail. A leak can occur without any obvious cause, and you may not smell it while sleeping. For $50 to $120, an LPG detector provides 24/7 monitoring that your nose cannot. Some insurance policies and state regulations require or recommend gas detection. Even if yours doesn’t, the safety case alone justifies the investment.
An LPG leak detector ($50 to $120) monitors the air 24/7 and alerts you to gas leaks you might not smell, particularly while sleeping. Install it low (near floor level) and close to gas lines. It’s a safety essential, not an optional accessory.
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