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hiya runaway

just a small point we had a gas point factory fitted on our last van and never used it, because in the uk the maximum legal length of soft gas hose as oppossed to a rigid copper pipe is only 2 metres. anymore and some sites might ask you to leave as you are a safety hazard.unfortunatly this means having your barbie or cadac inside the awning. i would not recomend this as many years ago i witnessed two young lads killed when there tent went up in flames whilst they were cooking inside it. As awnings are made of the same material i would not use a naked flame inside one. Of course modern awnings are flame retardent but do you really want to take the risk with kids about.

also a reputable dealer will not sell you more than 2 metres as its illegal although i have seen people try and join them together.

on our current van we have 2 bottlesi leave one connected to the van and have my other one with a 2 metre peice of orange gas hose attached so i can just clip it to thebase of my cadac wheni need it. It only takes a couple of seconds to remove it from the front locker and cook al fresco and its far safer.

Incidently i always keepa 2 kg fire extinhuisher handy. if you buy one with a carry frame try using tie wraps and clip it to the centre pole of the awning so that everyone knows where it is at all times and when you have done just cut the clips off at the end of your hols.a 2 kg one can be bought from places like arco for a lot less thancaravan dealer

Hope this helps

chris

Quote

will not sell you more than 2 metres as its illegal"

If its ilegal to sell more than 2 metres at a time then how did the dealer get the big drum of hose??

Sites as far as I am aware NEVER check the safety of your gas or electric. BTW No van unless its an hire van as ever seen a Corgi or Proper electrician. Of the vans I have checked out none would pass the regs.

People use BBQ's and cookers under awnings all the while, why do you think ots unsafe??

Hi Grumpy

Interested to hear that you get certs, other than Hire vans, I have never heard of a caravan or motorhome having the certs.

The other thing I find strange about your statement is that according to Corgi, not one LPG trained fitter works for any caravan or motorhone dealer or manufacturer

So I would be interested in the Dealers name and a copy of your certs (can you photograph and post here ?)

I have thrown out a challenge before (on several different forums) for anyone to post copies of proper gas and leccy certs and as yet no-one as come forward.

  outback weekender got mine from a garden center its great

     regards slipnot

" People use BBQ's and cookers under awnings all the while, why do you think ots unsafe?? "

I've never seen this on sites , if at the end of the night they shut the sides down on their awning and the BBQ is still in there the fumes could kill them.

atb

Wizard

Hi wizard

We are talking about Gas BBQ's here not Charcoal , also not safari rooms just top awning.

Hi all......Many .many.thanks for all your responses which have certainly given us food for thought.

Like JUb-jub, I have 2 Propane gas bottles - so hopefully could connect up as suggested by jub-jub and it would save us the money for the gas point to be fitted also.

Mmmmm...must give that serious thought as will save in excess of about £75 for fitment from our  Bailey Dealership when it goes in for its first service in July.

The only problem that might occur here is the fact that I have  fitted the Gaslow combination "automatic gas switch over". I don't know if that might present a problem if we were to remove one bottle for the period of BBqing eg. could  we still use the other bottle for boiling a kettle etc

Just as an added  point to the other issues as raised re certs etc. When I asked for the BBq gas  point to be fitted, I also requested that an external 3 pin mains point be fitted at the same time. 

I was advised by the dealership, that under the new Reg's etc, it is not possible to "just fit an external electrical point as before,  as it  now requires a fully qualified electrician  to become involved to test and certificate the fitment!! This proces has now added significantly to the cost.

Presumably, therefore, I will receive a full certification as to its safety etc. I  will post here if this proves to be the case. I would certainly want something to show for the electricians involvement as it bumps up the price by about £75 plus pound ......or am I,    I wonder,           just being duped!!! LOL..............I will certainly  keep all informed of developments.

In the meantime thanks a mill' for everyones input it has helped immensly and I am extremely grateful to all.  Continue with happy and safe touring....Warmest regards Pete.

Woops , see what you mean George .

atb

Wizard

Hi Runaway horse

Re the new P regs I dont think they apply to Camping accomodation.

But you may find that he could declare the whole thing outside of regs, because most caravans folders and motorhomes are not wired up according to the regs anyway, so how would they add a socket and declare the whole thing safe?

I looked into this qualified gas and electricians malarky before and did not find any van that had been fitted and certified by Corgi (checked with Corgi and not one LPG fitter works for a Manufacturer of Campers or a Caravan service place) the chaps that I have spoke to in these servicing places are not qualified at all, before you all go off and complain think about it, if they employ a Quango certified electrician or Corgi Quango LPG gas muppet imagine how much its going to cost you.