Eurotunnel Travel: LPG Gas Isolation Requirements (2 Viewers)

[NF camper]

Hi all,
Just bought a new Auto-Trail V-Line camper with an underslung LPG tank for domestic use.

Travelling on Eurotunnel in a few weeks.

Does anyone have experience of travelling with Eurotunnel - what’s their requirements on gas islolation before travelling? Do they require the gas isolation at the underslung tank(requires crawling under vehicle) or can the internal manifold gas valves be turned off?

We have always had a vehicle with gas bottles so the isolation process is straightforward.

Comments/ past experiences would be appreciated?

 

[pjay]

There should be an isolation tap somewhere along the pipe from external tank to hob on the interior pipe run, mine is in the cupboard under the hob, just show them its switched off, or sometimes they will ask you to demonstrate there is no gas coming through by turning on one of the burners and no gas coming out.
They are usually a bit more strict on the UK side but in our experience they just ask you if its switched off on the French side and dont bother checking.

Pete

 

[NF camper]

There should be an isolation tap somewhere along the pipe from external tank to hob on the interior pipe run, mine is in the cupboard under the hob, just show them its switched off, or sometimes they will ask you to demonstrate there is no gas coming through by turning on one of the burners and no gas coming out.
They are usually a bit more strict on the UK side but in our experience they just ask you if its switched off on the French side and dont bother checking.

Thanks Pete, much appreciated

 

[Bessy765]

Ours has a switch by the contents display to turn it off or on

 

[Old Gibber]

I have an Auto Trail with the underslung gas tank. Forget the isolation switch, it is right underneath the van, and you have to take the cover off the gas tank. Its very easy to badly refit the cover and lose it. When I went over using the tunnel, they were quite happy that I had turned all the internal gas stop cocks off. Never had a problem doing this with the tunnel, DFDS or Brittany Ferries. Half the time they don't check anyway!

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[matbic]

We have been through the tunnel a few times last year. They always pull us over and ask if we have switched off the gas. Most times they ask to jump in and check the electrical gas’s isolation switch is off. We once were held up on the French side because the gas tank must not be more than 80% full. This was a problem - how to get rid of gas in a hurry! But after a few phone calls we were let on the train!

I always make sure the tank is not full now. If you have a gas switch inside just make sure it is off. Have fun!

 

[CAB96]

We have been through the tunnel a few times last year. They always pull us over and ask if we have switched off the gas. Most times they ask to jump in and check the electrical gas’s isolation switch is off. We once were held up on the French side because the gas tank must not be more than 80% full. This was a problem - how to get rid of gas in a hurry! But after a few phone calls we were let on the train!

I always make sure the tank is not full now. If you have a gas switch inside just make sure it is off. Have fun!

But the tank is only 80% full when it is full? Or when the automatic valve stops the gas.

 

[matbic]

They looked at the gauge inside the van (which showed 100% with all LEDs lit) and that was all they were interested in! If the dial had showed 80% they would have been happy - it did not so they pulled me over.

There is a simple solution

 

[Ray-Vic]

We just had a return trip to France last week and UK side going asked me to open gas locker and checked both bottles were off, French side coming back they just asked if the gas was off.

 

[Basildog]

They looked at the gauge inside the van (which showed 100% with all LEDs lit) and that was all they were interested in! If the dial had showed 80% they would have been happy - it did not so they pulled me over.

There is a simple solution

Yes I can see why they would think that .
The fact is the LED gauges read full at 80%.

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[Coastal Cruiser.]

Always had my gas checked on the Uk side going over, French are a bit hit and miss depending on if they could be bothered to come out of the hut
Did have the old French lady who when we pulled up to the hut asked how many horses we had onboard when I said it was a motorhome she then said I will check your gas then watched as I showed her it’s turned off

 

[Boaty]

Hi all,
Just bought a new Auto-Trail V-Line camper with an underslung LPG tank for domestic use.

Travelling on Eurotunnel in a few weeks.

Does anyone have experience of travelling with Eurotunnel - what’s their requirements on gas islolation before travelling? Do they require the gas isolation at the underslung tank(requires crawling under vehicle) or can the internal manifold gas valves be turned off?

We have always had a vehicle with gas bottles so the isolation process is straightforward.

Comments/ past experiences would be appreciated?

Under the cooker. 4 inline switches. Turn each one to horizontal. Job done.
We've a '22 as yours.
Asked once to show on cooker but no questions on other appliances.

 

[Boaty]

Under the cooker. 4 inline switches. Turn each one to horizontal. Job done.
We've a '22 as yours.
Asked once to show on cooker but no questions on other appliances.

Almost forgot .
Turn all back before someone says the fridge is off, no hot water .... .
I turn all off to remember which is off .

 

[Old Gibber]

Depends on what heater is fitted. I have 5 gas taps.

 

[JockandRita]

Does anyone have experience of travelling with Eurotunnel - what’s their requirements on gas isolation before travelling? Do they require the gas isolation at the underslung tank(requires crawling under vehicle) or can the internal manifold gas valves be turned off?

Technically, the requirement is to isolate the gas supply at it's source, ie, at the bulk tank. Anything less than that is a compromise TBH, which I'm sure doesn't comply with their requirements.

We had a bulk tank on our old Hymer, which I isolated via the tank valve.......................every time.

Regards,

Jock.

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[Riverbankannie]

Technically, the requirement is to isolate the gas supply at it's source, ie, at the bulk tank. Anything less than that is a compromise TBH, which I'm sure doesn't comply with their requirements.

We had a bulk tank on our old Hymer, which I isolated via the tank valve.......................every time.

Regards,

Jock.

Was it right under the middle? If so what did you use to lift the MH? Otherwise not physically possible for us and our van.

 

[rickh100]

Hi all,
Just bought a new Auto-Trail V-Line camper with an underslung LPG tank for domestic use.

Travelling on Eurotunnel in a few weeks.

Does anyone have experience of travelling with Eurotunnel - what’s their requirements on gas islolation before travelling? Do they require the gas isolation at the underslung tank(requires crawling under vehicle) or can the internal manifold gas valves be turned off?

We have always had a vehicle with gas bottles so the isolation process is straightforward.

Comments/ past experiences would be appreciated?

What I can say is what I have experienced with he gaslow system and all that is they want the bottle turned off which on occasions they ask to see you turn it off...sometimes just asked if I have...so I would assume that if it is isolated by a valve then all will be fine.

 

[JockandRita]

Was it right under the middle? If so what did you use to lift the MH? Otherwise not physically possible for us and our van.

No Annie, as fortunately, whoever fitted it at the Hymer factory in Germany, obviously thought about it, (or the customer did). The bulk tank was side fitted between the chassis rail and body, and access to the isolation valve was through a purpose made, hinged and lockable flap on the aluminium side skirt.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[denisejoe]

When our hymer had a tank the isolation valve was next to the tank at the side of motorhome

 

[hja]

Our previous Autosleeper, valve was under the van. I certainly couldn’t have got to it.

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[dawsey]

Depends on who is in the kiosk. Sometimes they simply ask if the gas is off, more often they will ask you to open a cover, access the bulk container/s and demonstrate tank valves are off. I has been the same as long as I can remember. The policy is isolate at tank.

We have crossed UK-France, and France UK 10 times in last 24months

 

[matbic]

So on further investigation the situation is different for fixed in gas tanks that you fill from the side of the vehicle - these must not be more than 80% full when travelling on Le Shuttle see here but for removable or portable tanks it does not state what the maximum level is see here so I guess these can be full.

 

[denisejoe]

So on further investigation the situation is different for fixed in gas tanks that you fill from the side of the vehicle - these must not be more than 80% full when travelling on Le Shuttle see here but for removable or portable tanks it does not state what the maximum level is see here so I guess these can be full.

Gas bottles should be no more than 80% full

 

[matbic]

It says fixed gas systems should be no more than 80% full but it does not say that for “portable” gas bottles i.e. ones you can take off the vehicle

 

[Boaty]

Fixed Gaslowt tank is 80% of capacity when "full".
Confirmed direct with Gaslow last year.

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[JockandRita]

It says fixed gas systems should be no more than 80% full but it does not say that for “portable” gas bottles i.e. ones you can take off the vehicle

The quantity of gas is limited to 47kg (or approximately 93 litres) maximum for a single container and to 50kg (or approximately 99 litres) maximum in the case of several containers.

matbic. Those weights and capacities quoted above from the Eurotunnel link that you provided, apply to cylinders which are 80% full, as that is the absolute maximum capacity for liquid, allowing 20% for gas expansion.

There is absolutely no difference in the rules between fixed refillable cylinders, and exchangeable cylinders, and bulk tanks, ie, all full to the brim with liquid at 80%, allowing 20% for gas expansion..........as per the industry regulations.

These figures and calculations have been scientifically determined by industry experts, so it' s not for you or I to question their expertise, especially when it comes down to user and public safety, is it?

Regards,

Jock.

 

[matbic]

Thanks - so my problem was that the inspector saw a gauge showing 100% full and pulled me over.

My solution had been to blank out the top two LEDs on the display - now “full” which is actually 80% full displays correctly on my gauge as 80%. I was a bit worried that I was doing something wrong! But it turns out I was simply calibrating my gauge!