Can anyone explain why caravans and motorhomes that carry propane are allowed to use the channel tunnel (with certain restrictions) but cars adapted for LPG are not?
There doesn't, at first glance at least, appear to be any particular logic to this.
- caravan/motorhome gas cylinders are used upright with the GAS take-off right at the top - car gas cylinders are used horizontally with a LIQUID take-off
- caravan/motorhome passengers are required to park their outfits in the truck transport section and then travel in the passenger coaches - car passengers stay in/near their cars
Thank you. Surely though, there must be equivalent safety regulations for gas cylinders and LPG cars? Does this imply that LPG cars are inherently less safe than gas cylinders? As gas tries to expand equally in all directions (if my O level physics is still correct!) does the positioning of the take-off make any actual difference? Or is it that LPG systems are higher pressured?
The position of the take-off affects whether gas is drawn off or liquid - that affects the rate of energy release if the valving fails. Gas will dissipate and dilute much more quickly than liquid.
If the tank/cylinder explodes, I doubt it makes any difference!
