The aim of the club is to promote recreational activities that
are of interest to, and for the benefit of its members.
(a) Membership shall be open to any owner, or potential owner of
a Benimar Motorhome, residing in the UK, the Channel Isles and the Isle of Man
and the Republic of Ireland. Membership shall cover 1 or 2 adults
per motorhome.
(b) Every person wishing to become a member shall complete an application form
and together with the annual subscription and joining fee submit it to the Membership
Secretary.
(c) The annual subscription shall become due on the 1st of January each year.
Members are encouraged to pay his/her subscription from the 30th of September. Any member not paying his/her subscription by the
31st of December shall
be considered to have resigned from the Club and shall forfeit all rights and
privileges.
(d) The club will be associated to ACCEO (The
Association of Camping and Caravanning Exempted Organisations).
(e) Associate Membership is available to any former member who
no longer is the owner of a Benimar Motorhome and/or no longer lives in the UK,
the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, or the Republic of Ireland and wishes to continue his/her
association with the Club. Associate members will enjoy voting rights.
(f) Associate Membership is also available to people who have
never owned a Benimar but are friends of members who are Benimar owners.
(g) Global Membership is available to Benimar owners who reside
outside the "UK" (as specified in para (a)). Subscription will be at a
higher rate to reflect additional postage costs.
(a) Management of the Club shall be by a General Committee, to
be elected annually and to be eligible for renewal at the Annual General
Meeting.
(b) The Annual General Meeting shall take place each April, or as close as is
practical.
(c) The committee shall comprise of the following posts:
Chairman
Secretary
Membership Secretary
Treasurer
Events Co-ordinator
Newsletter Editor
Press Officer
Chief Marshal
(d) A member may take more than one of the positions available for office.
(e) Two auditors shall also be elected
(f) There shall be a position of Honorary President which the Club may award.
This position will be voted for at the AGM and will be for a term of 3 years.
The club financial year shall commence on the 1st of January
and end on the 31st of December, after which date the treasurer shall prepare a
balance sheet and statement of accounts. These accounts shall be audited and
presented to the Annual General Meeting.
(a) The newsletter, containing a diary of forthcoming events,
review of past events and any other material thought to be of interest to
members will be published at least once a quarter.
(b) The newsletter will be posted to members unless collected at a conveniently
timed event.
(c) Members' adverts will be included for a nominal charge of 4 first class
postage stamps.
The club will attempt to obtain for members, benefits (such as
discounted insurance, ferry fares, etc) and these will be advertised in the
newsletter.
(a) The subscription is to cover the cost of the newsletter,
marshalling, signs, advertising and any other sundry items.
(b) The subscription will be reviewed as required or at the AGM
In the event of the cessation of the club, any assets at the
time shall be donated to a suitable charity, selected by the committee.
A separate list of club members will be issued periodically.
New members will be introduced in the Newsletter.
Finding a suitable site
If you think that you know of a suitable site for a club rally
and are willing to marshal the following checklist will help ascertain its
suitability and collect the information we need.
* Site Name and address
* Contact name
* Telephone Number
* Opening dates
* Maximum number of motorhomes
* Fee/unit/night
* Drinking Water available ?
* Elsan emptying point ?
Waste water disposal ?
Toilets available ?
Showers available ?
Electric Hook-ups available ?
Fires and/or barbecues allowed?
Dogs allowed ?
* = essential information
Marshal's Duties
Find a Suitable Site
Agree a date with the site owner and Club
Supply details to Club Event Co-ordinator for entry into Club Newsletter
Arrive in good time to mark out pitches and put up direction signs as necessary
Check out the facilities and advise members
Set up a fire point (at least a bucket of water)
Greet arrivals and direct them to an allocated pitch
Ensure that the code of conduct is adhered to and club rules are adhered to
Any other activities (coffee mornings, quizzes, competitions etc) are at the marshals discretion
Unless prepaid, collect site fees and settle up with the site owner.

Rally Rules
Note: The use of a rally site is a privilege and it is the
responsibility of the rally marshal to see that this privilege is not abused,
and that the good name of the club is upheld.
Rallies held on unlicenced sites (not at Shows and Caravan
Sites) are held under DEFRA rules. The club holds an Exemption Certificate and we
must comply with the following Code of Conduct
i Introduction
1. One named person, who is a member of the organisation,
is to be responsible for the conduct of each meeting and for ensuring that
members attending the meeting comply with the code.
ii Venue
2. The responsible person should take reasonable
steps to satisfy himself or herself that the site proposed for a meeting is not
one which is the subject of an order under paragraph 13 of Schedule 1, or an
Article 4 direction, nor one for which planning permission has been refused or
where enforcement action has been taken. Organisations should also seek the
agreement of the local authority before meeting on sites adjacent to sites for
which planning permission has been granted.
3. Organisations should not meet on sites operating under paragraph 5 of
Schedule 1 to the 1960 Act (certificated locations or certificated sites) or on
sites adjacent to them, unless the proposed site is clearly differentiated and
the risk of interference with local people and other users is minimal.
4. Organisations should take care that the siting of caravans does not
unduly interfere with the activities of local people, their privacy or the
enjoyment of their property. They should also take care that the siting of
caravans does not interfere with the enjoyment by others of the landscape or
natural beauty of the area, and the nature conservation value of areas. This is
especially important in areas designated for their qualities of landscape or
wildlife.
5. Organisations should avoid the over-use of any venue and consider
carefully before holding successive meetings at the same venue.
iii Nuisance
6. Local people should be able to carry on their normal
activities where meetings are in progress and disturbance to them should be
minimised. Complaints should be treated seriously and steps taken to investigate
and deal with the causes of complaints.
7. Care should be taken not to damage the site or surrounding locality.
Trees, fences, buildings, equipment and stock should be respected.
8. Domestic animals belonging to members of the organisation should be
kept on a lead, under close control. They should not be allowed to run loose on
the site or cause disturbance to local people or animals. They should be
exercised away from caravans and parts of the site used for communal activities
and any mess should be picked up.
9. The responsible person should identify open space suitable for games
which might otherwise intrude on or constitute a danger or annoyance to
caravanners or others on or around the site.
10. Noise should be kept to a minimum for the comfort of other
caravanners on the site as well as people who live and work nearby.
iv Road safety and access
11. The responsible person should take reasonable steps
to ensure that travel from major roads to a proposed site is not likely to cause
undue disruption to or difficulties for local people and other road users. He
should also take reasonable steps to ensure that access to the proposed site is
suitable for the number and likely size of units attending the meeting.
Organisations should spread the arrival and departure of caravans to minimise
disruption to local people and other road users.
12. The speed of vehicles on the site should be restricted to 5 mph.
v Spacing and density
13. Units should be well spaced. Units should be sited so
that they do not restrict access to or exit from the unit or the area in case of
emergencies. Emergency vehicles should be able to secure access to each unit on
site.
vi Fire precautions
14. Open fires and barbecues should not be held except
with the permission of the responsible person. Where permission is given for
open fires or barbecues, they should be sited in open ground, away from vans,
vehicles, awnings and any other structures.
15. Caravans should carry a fire extinguisher approved to British
Standards Institute and/or Fire Officers Certificate standards.
vii Chemical toilets, waste water disposal
16. Organisations should act responsibly with respect to
the disposal of the contents of chemical toilets and waste water disposal and
take full account of the need to safeguard water supplies and prevent the
pollution of rivers and streams.
17. On-site disposal of the contents of chemical toilets and waste water
should be in accordance with arrangements agreed with the site owner or manager.
Neither should be allowed to foul the ground except at designated disposal
points.
viii Refuse disposal
18. Organisations should ensure that refuse is either
taken home or disposed of in accordance with on-site arrangements. The
responsible person should be satisfied that appropriate arrangements are in
place.
19. The responsible person should ensure that the site is clear of litter
after the m eating.
ix Other information
20. The responsible person should also be aware of the
terms of the Caravan Code, the Country Code and the Coastal Code.
Exemption Certificate
The club has been granted an Exemption Certificate from DEFRA
(the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs). This permits the
club to organise rallies on non-licensed sites, in the UK. It is valid until 2nd
Dec Dec 2011.

Benimar Dealers/Distributors
UK
Scott Medical UK. Contact
Andrew Scott - Managing Director. Telephone 01723 363225. Fax
01723363377. Now an official Benimar dealer, but carrying
no stock.
sales@scottmedicaluk.com
www.scottmedicaluk.com
RDH Services Ltd. Contact Chris Parnill
Managing Director. Derbyshire, S44 5TA.
Telephone 01246 230778 Mob:07752022745
Fax:01246351254 rdhservices@live.co.uk
www.rdhservicesltd.co.uk
Choose Leisure Motorhome Sales
Ashford Road, Chartham Canterbury Kent CT47HH
email: paul@chooseleisure.co.uk
Contact
Paul Santos Tel:01227 733557
Vivanti Motorhomes Hire
58 Mytchett Road, Mytchett Surrey, GU166EZ
Tel.: 08707522225 Fax: 08707522005 info@vivanti.net
Uk Motorhomes Hire Ltd
Abbeyfields Loadge Road, Sandbach Cheshire, CW113HD
Tel.:01270759090 Fax: 01270759090
Easirent.com
Strand Road, Washington Parade, Bootle, L201AA
Tel. 01519224991 Fax: 01519228747 paul.hanley@easirent.com
North
Western Caravans Ltd Stanley
Green, Earl Road, Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire SK86QE
Tel:
01614866055 info@northwesterncaravans.co.uk
Will import a new Benimar for you - contact Alan Sheldon.
Ireland
Anchor Point Motorhomes
Shannonside Business Park, Birdhill, Co. Tipperary
Tel: 00 353 61379903 Fax: 00 353 61379906 james@anchorpointmotorhomes.com
New Zealand
AUCKLAND MOTORHOMES Ltd 61 Creek Street, Drury
Manukau Auckland 2113
Tel.:00 64 92946500 Fax:00 64 92672235 info@aucklandmotorhomes.co.nz
Holland
Ron Hazenberg Campers
Pekelwerk 38, 9663 Aw Nieuwe Pekela
Tel: 00 31 597676666 Fax: 00 31597612388 ron.hazenberg@hetnet.nl
Belgium
Dicar
Grote Steenweg 2, 2440 Geel
Tel.:00 32 14579995 Fax: 00 32 14579990
Portugal
J. Sousa Mesquita
Centro Empresarial Vilar Do Pinheiro, Via Jose Regio, 116
4485-860 Vilar Do Pinheiro
Tel: 00 351 229289890 Fax: 00 351 229289892
carlamoreira@jsousamesquita.pt jamesquita@jsousamesquita.pt
Norway
Tor Alvern
Abobil.no, Solaveien 25, 4352 Kleppe
Tel:Tlf +47 47 2501 47 Fax:00 47 51 217227 , post@abobil.no
http://www.abobil.no/
Germany
Koch Freizeit-Fahrzeuge Vertriebs Gmbh
Steinbrückstrasse 15, 25524 Itzehoe
Tel: 00 49 482168050 Fax: 00 49 4821680521
info@koch-freizeit-fahrzeuge.de
Spain
Caravanas Costa Verde
C/ Particular, Nave M, Pol. Ind. Banco Unión 2, 33211-Tremañes (Gijón)
Tel.: 985 31 41 31 Fax: 985 32 00 94 info@caravanascostaverde.com
Cruz Internacional Motorhome
Pda. Alzabares Bajo P1 Nº 59, 03290 Elche, Alicante
Tel.: 965 42 26 59 Fax: 965 42 13 00 ccruz@caravanas-cruz.com
Caravanas Santander
Crtra. Burgos S/N, Apdo: 472, 39600 Muriedas, Santander
Tel.: 942 25 41 61 Fax: 942 26 01 55 info@caravanas-santander.com
Caravanas Sondika
C/ Sutxu Bidea, 6, Ctra Sondika, 48150 Loiu, Bizkaia Tel.: 94 47 11 468 Fax: 94 45 31 528
info@caravanassondika.com
Caravaning Penedes
Ctra. Nac. 340, Km 1.213’8, Apdo: 304, 08720 Villafranca Del Penedes,
Tel.: 93 81 82 500 Fax: 93 81 81 331 neus@m3caravaning.com
Itsas-Mendi
Bº Sorabilla S/N, Apdo: 75, 20140 Andoain, Guipuzcoa
Tel.: 943 59 32 90 Fax: 943 59 41 73 itsasmendi@itsasmendi.com
O.R.M.A.
Ctra. Nazaret-Oliva Km.23, 46419 Les Palmeres (Sueca), Valencia
Tel.: 96 17 70 962 Fax: 96 17 71 144 info@ormacaravanas.com
Planet Rent
Autovia De Castelldefells K.12,2, Apdo.: 110, 08840 Viladecans, Barcelona
Tel.: 93 65 81 240 Fax: 93 63 73 735 turiscocaravanes@telefonica.net
Caravanas Navarro
Ctra. De La Alberca Km.1 Nr.57, 30012 Murcia
Tel.: 968 25 45 54 Fax: 968 26 63 5
autocaravanasnavarro@autocaravanasnavarro.com rla
Caravanas Montaño
Ctra. Nacional Iv Km:559, Dos Hermanas Los Palacios, Sevilla
Tel.: 955 66 60 40 Fax: 955 66 60 40 info@autocaravanasmontano.es
Caravaning Plaza S.L.
Polígono Logístico Plaza, C/ Messina, M16 A, 50197 Zaragoza
Tel.: 876 76 87 66 Fax: 876 76 87 66 info@caravaningplaza.com
Roulot
C/ General Palanca, 14 28045 Madrid,
Tel.: 91 61 11 003 Fax: 91 61 99 001 http://www.roulot.es/ ventas@roulot.com
Caravanas Edmonsa
C/ Zebenzuy Nº 9, El Cardonal, 38108 - La Laguna, Santa Cruz De Tenerife
Tel.: 922 62 91 24 Fax: 922 62 67 47 http://www.caravanasedmonsa.com/
Bor Caravaning
Ctra. Guanarteme A Tamaraceite Km 5,2, La Majadilla, 35010 Las Palmas De G.C.
Tel.: 928 48 40 10 Fax: 928 48 40 10 bor@bor-caravaning.com
Caravanas Puerto
Ctra. Madrid-Cádiz, Km 655, 11500 El Puerto De Santa Maria (Cadiz)
Tel.: 902 50 60 95 Fax: 956 56 18 41
Karavan
Av. Duque de Aveiro Nº4, 29140 Churriana (Malaga)
Tel.: 952 17 17 97 Fax: 952 23 72 40 multimarcas@fimalaga.com
Caravaning Plaza
Polígono Logístico Plaza, C/ Messina nº 16 A, 50197 - ZARAGOZA
Tel: 876 76 87 66 Fax: 876 76 87 67 info@caravaningplaza.com
Slovenia
STIPIC ASO d.o.o.
Zaloska Cesta 179, 1000 LJUBLJANA
Tel.: 00386 1 52 030 25 Fax:00 3786 1 52 030 27 mike.jamnik@stipic-aso.si
France
Muratet Camping-Cars
La Cavalerie, 09100 PAMIERS
Tel: 0033 5.61.60.99.99 Fax: 0033 5.34.01.00.58 f.muratet.auto@wanadoo.fr
Charente Evasion 16
232 Avenue du Général de Gaulle, 16800 SOYAUX
Tel: 0033 5.45.38.04.96 Fax: 0033 5.45.38.23.13
charente.evasion16@wanadoo.fr
Charente Evasion Saintes
Route de Haute Cognac, 17100 SAINTES
Tel: 0033 5.46.96.46.11 Fax: 0033 5.46.96.47.87
Charente Evasion 17
Route du Fief des Vignes, 17340 YVES
Tel: 0033 5.46.56.96.96 Fax: 0033 5.46.56.82.60
JLB Auto Loisirs
Route de Bordeaux - RN 89, 24430 RAZAC SUR L'ISLE
Tel: 00 33 5.53.04.40.01 Fax: 0033 5.53.04.40.01 jlb-autos-loisirs@wanadoo.fr
Cevennes Caravanes
RN 110 30350, CARDET (LEDIGNAN)
Tel: 00 33 4.66.83.00.35 Fax: 0033 4.66.83.86.34
cevennescaravanes@wanadoo.fr
Camping-Cars De Tourraine
RN 76 BP1, 37270 VERETZ
Tel: 00 33 2.47.50.31.70 Fax: 0033 2.47.50.55.92
laurence@campingcarsdetouraine.fr
AAB Loisirs
ZAC +, 1 Avenue de l'Europe, 44620 LA MONTAGNE
Tel: 00 33 2.40.65.64.66 Fax: 0033 2.40.65.62.66
ylanhouet-bourciersa@wanadoo.fr
Arras Vacances
18, Rue du Timon, 62223 ST NICOLAS LES ARRAS
Tel: 00 33 3.21.55.42.17 Fax: 0033 3.21.55.00.14
arrasvacancesvdl@cegetel.net
Ypocamp Sublets et Fils
250 ROUTE NATIONALE 6, 69800 SAINT PRIEST
Tel: 00 33 4.78.90.65.22 Fax: 00 33 4.78.90.88.38
sublet@ypocamp.fr
Plein Air Normandie
Zone d'Activités Ste Marie des Champs , 76190 SAINTE MARIE DES CHAMPS YVETOT
Tel: 00 33 2.35.56.15.15 Fax: 0033 2.35.56.15.16
plein-air-normandie@wanadoo.fr
Garage Dominique Perroux
98, Route de Dôle, 71380 ST. MARCEL
Tel: 00 33 3.85.96.60.32 Fax: 0033 3.85.96.78.13
garage.perroux@wanadoo.fr
Camping-Car Emeraude Loisirs
ZA DE CHANTEPIE, 22150 PLOEUC SUR LIE
Tel: 02 96 64 21 08 Fax: 02 96 64 21 05 ela-cc@wanadoo.fr
Claye
Souilly Caravanes
Rue
du 19 Mars 1962, 77410 Claye-Souilly Tel:01
60 26 17 36 Fax 01 60 26 58 93 campingcar77@gmail.com
Bearne
Loisir 89
bvd de l'Europe 64230
Lescar Tel: 0559776600 Fax: 0559770606 bearnloisirs@wanadoo.fr
Italy
Meglioli
Via Ramo delle Cave di Secchia, 165 41100 Modena
a soli 100 m dall'uscita autostradale di Modena Nord
Tel.: 059.822720 - Fax: 059.822728 http://www.meglioli.it/ info@meglioli.it
Ippocamper
Viale Maestri del Lavoro, 13, 02010 VAZIA , Nucleo Industriale (Rieti)
Tel./Fax: 0746/22.14.60 - Cell.:333-2244280
http://www.ippocamper.it/ info@ippocamper.it
Torino Camper
Via Pietro Cossa, 169, 10146 Torino
Tel. 011.7707363
http://www.torinocamper.com/ info@torinocamper.it
Coinova
Via lerma, 91 Loc. Terrazze, 5060 Silvano d'Orba Alessandria
Tel. 0143.882093 http://www.coinova.com/ info@coinova.com
Mondialcamp
Via Cusano, 28, 33080 Zoppola (PN)
Tel./Fax: 0434.979897 http://www.mondialcamp.it/ info@mondialcamp.it
Jolly Caravan
Loc. Villabella, 37047 SAN BONIFACIO (VR)
Tel. 0456103436 http://www.jollycaravan.it/ verona@jollycaravan.it
Jolly Caravan
Via M. Polo 4/A, 35035 Mestrino (PADOVA)
tel. 049.9002566 - fax. 049.9002570 http://www.jollycaravan.it/
GIGI Caravans
Via Galileo Galilei, 1, 20040 Caponago (MI)
A soli 200 metri dal casello di Agrate Brianza
Tel: 02.95746030 - Fax: 02.95748445 http://www.gigicaravan.it/
info@gigicaravan.it
Cesarini Camper
Via dei Tigli , 60027 Osimo (AN)
Tel.: 071.7232584 - Fax: 071.7236314
http://www.cesarinicamper.it/ info@cesarinicamper.it
Vemacar
Via Monte Pellegrino, 157 – 159, (Zona Fiera del Mediterraneo) - Palermo
Tel. 091.544546 - Fax 091.6371767 http://www.vemacar.it/ info@vemacar.it

Safety in your Motorhome abroad
by Ron Smith
There has
been much discussion recently about safety when you are in your motorhome.
This has been highlighted by the fact that 2 of our members (out of the
12 who travelled down to Spain for the Spanish Rally) were robbed en-route (one
of them being gassed ).
There is certainly seems to be an increased risk when travelling and
stopping on the French and Spanish Motorways and National Roads, particularly on
the holiday routes in the south of France and along the Spanish Costas.
For what they are worth here are my views on the subject. Most of it is
just plain common sense.
Firstly
there are certain dos and don’ts.
+
Do not park overnight on a Motorway Service area or
Motorway Aire,
even if there are other motorhomes, caravans or lorries already there. It has
been known that a whole group of vehicles are gassed and their owners robbed.
Even if you have a vehicle alarm operative, you won’t hear it if you have been
gassed. If you can’t find a campsite try a village and park by the Marie,
Village Square (beware of markets the next day !), Sports Stadium, or
better still Gendarmerie.
+
Do lock your cab doors whenever you stop whatever the reason (fuel station, service
area, picnic area, even at traffic lights in built up areas)
+
Do not leave anything of value
in the cab (wallet, purse, handbag, phone, camera, etc.)
+
Do not stop if you are flagged down by someone indicating something
wrong with the back of your vehicle (very occasionally there may be but try and
find somewhere safe to investigate).
+
Be suspicious of all strangers until you are satisfied that they are OK.
+
Be wary at fuel stations of people acting suspiciously round your vehicle (it
has been known for your tyres to be spiked so that you will have to stop shortly
after continuing your journey, and guess who will be there to “help”.
+
If you are flagged down by someone in Police or other official uniform, be
wary that they may not be genuine. Wind your window down a little until you are
convinced they are genuine.
+
Fit a safe and hide the key.
+
Keep a wallet or purse containing a few Euros, some out of date credit
cards and other worthless items. Keep it handy in case you are threatened and
hand it over.
Secondly,
precautions that you can take
Cab
Doors
(my experience is with the old style cab but probably applies to the new
one)
The standard Fiat door lock is easily picked and the button is easily
flipped up via the quarter light, which is easily removed or broken.
1.
Tie the doors together using a chain or strong strap
Stops the door being opened if the lock is forced
Cost is negligible
A good tug could pull off the door handle
2.
Feed the seat belt through the door handle
and into the anchorage point
Stops the door being opened if lock is forced
Cost is nil.
A good tug could pull off the door handle(s)
12.
Drill the locking button (3 mm drill) and inset a 3 mm pin through so that it
goes into the door frame in the locked position.
Stops the door being opened if the lock is forced
Cost is negligible
A hand through a broken or removed quarter light could remove the pins.
4.
Fit a deadlock in addition to the standard lock (easier to fit in the
doorpillar rather than the door itself).
To enter a cab door you have to force 2 locks, the deadlock being much
more difficult to force.
Cost is around £25. (Safeways D125 - Tel: 0151 653 7848)
Neat looking on outside
Caravan
Door
The standard lock is pretty feeble and easily forced.
1.
When inside at night, fit a piece of wood (or a plastic clothes peg just fits)
into the gap below (or above if you have a RHS door) the handle within the
surround.
Prevents the door being opened if the lock is forced
Cost is nil
Door catch itself could still be forced and door opened
2.
Fit a deadlock in addition to the standard lock
To enter the Caravan door 2 locks have to be forced, the deadlock being much more difficult to force.
Cost is around £35 (Safeways D160) Neat looking on outside
The fly screen gets in the way and some plastic has to be cut away
3.
Fit a device to the caravan side that is a pivoting chunk of metal that
swivels across the edge of the door when locked.
To enter the caravan door 2 locks have to be forced, the additional lock
being much more difficult to force.
Cost is about £35 (Fiamma) to £55 (Defendor)
Looks a bit clumsy on the outside
Alarm
System Fit a good alarm system covering
all entry points, bonnet and lockers.
If you carry bikes or a scooter on the back include a loop that feeds through
them as well as securely locking them.
Don’t be put off by all the above. . Many people have been doing these
trips for years with no trouble. While there is a definite higher risk on French
and Spanish Motorways, if you follow the above advice you should be all right.
Having
done all the above,
a determined thief, who doesn’t care about causing damage, can still get in
through any caravan window, heki light or underbed locker. So unless you want to
put bars up at all windows so decide for yourself the extent to which you make
your motorhome secure.
Gas in Motorhomes and Gaz in Europe
by Steve Irvine
Butane versus Propane. (Red or blue?)
Both Butane (Blue Cylinders) and Propane (Red Cylinders) are available
for use in Motorhomes. The choice
is yours but whilst Butane is the cleanest burning and is kinder to your gas
burning appliances, it must be remembered that as the temperature drops there is
a distinct possibility that butane will begin to freeze in the regulator and
stop the flow of gas. This begins to occur at around 6 degrees centigrade which
in our British climate can mean a lowering of gas pressure at almost any time of
year although it may not be noticeable until temperatures fall much lower. Even
so, appliance efficiency will be affected. On the other hand, propane remains
unaffected by the range of temperatures any motorhome owner is likely to
encounter, either here or abroad and so would appear the better option. However, unlike butane (sold as Camping Gaz), there is no European
standard for propane. Most European countries have their own bottle and
regulator type making straightforward refills/exchanges out of the question. You
will normally have to buy a new bottle and then buy and fit the matching
regulator, leaving you with the added problem of your now surplus British
bottle. This may be repeated for each country where you happen to run out of
propane gas. The ideal solution for European travellers at the moment is to fit
both propane and Camping Gaz regulators along with a changeover valve thus
allowing the use of either. Camping Gaz and
Camping Gaz regulators are available both here and in most European countries.
There is a new European LPG standard aimed at all manufacturers of
motorhomes, caravans, boats etc.. It is intended to simplify LPG use and dispose
of all the different standards, gas pressures regulators etc.. Unfortunately,
manufacturers are being very slow in the implementation of this new standard
which should have been in place by last September. A new date of this September
has been agreed, so maybe this time.
The new standard will require all new motorhomes to be fitted with a
fixed regulator, said regulator to be fitted to the gas locker wall/bulkhead and
fed by a fixed solid gas pipe. This regulator will be suitable for both Propane
and Butane gases and a new standard LPG pressure of 30 millibars will apply to
both. This will mean that there will be one standard regulator across the whole
of Europe. So that’s one end taken care of! There will still be a whole range
of different gas bottles in circulation, one type for each country at least. So
to deal with this, a range of flexy pipes will be available and stocking up on
the types you are likely to need will be a whole lot simpler and cheaper than
buying a bottle and regulator every time you run out of gas.
Use and transport in an upright
position......
Gas cylinders must always be
used and transported in the upright position so make sure that they are securely
strapped. It is not a legal requirement to turn gas cylinders off whilst in
transit in this country. Indeed Truma gas fires as fitted to most Benimars are
designed to be and capable of being
used on the move. So, no need to freeze just because you happen to be moving.
N.B
.
Propane gas fittings have reverse threads to prevent the mixing of butane and propane fittings so remember this when disconnecting and
reconnecting the regulator. Try not to overtighten Propane regulators. They have
a soft brass seat in order to form a gas tight seal. Overtightening, rather than
sealing the regulator, damages the brass seat and can cause the leak you are
trying to prevent! As gas bottles get used over and over it’s good practice to
check for leaks around the regulator seat whenever you change the bottle.
Check for leaks......
When you have made any alteration to the gas installation such as
changing a hose or gas bottle always check for leaks. Check using a special leak
detection spray or a soapy solution brushed onto the part to be tested. Leaks
can be very dangerous so take great care and never cover vents in gas lockers
(Gas escape vents)or anywhere else for that matter. They are all there for your
safety and to supply the correct amount of fresh air to your gas appliances. A
lack of fresh air can result in the production of Carbon Monoxide Gas!!
Inspect hoses and clips
regularly......
Hoses and connections should be regularly inspected and changed if there
is any doubt about them (annual replacement could be worthwhile).
Look for signs
that the rubber has perished or been damaged by other items stored in the gas
locker (we all do it). don't forget to check clips for tightness and once again
check for leaks. Hoses have a date
printed on them and should be changed every five years. The date normally being
the month of manufacture and is there as a guide to replacement.
Switch gas off on board ferries....
During Ferry crossings you must make sure that the gas is switched off at
the cylinder and you have a fire extinguisher on board your vehicle.
Happy travels.
