Gas Regulators/gas suppliers
I’m writing this hoping that what I’m going to say may provoke some interesting comments, although many of you will say “ so what’s new?” My partner and I own a 2006 Autocruise motorhome , [new to us since 2010] and in that time have had to replace
3 Truma gas regulators. The last one failed after approx. 6weeks of actual use. We sent it back to truma [at some expense] only to be told it was not their problem but the failure was due to ‘oil contaminates’ in the gas and that they would not replace
it.
It seems that this problem has been recognised since 2004/5 by the caravan industry had more importantly, known to the C.C. and obviously Truma. At a recent caravan show in London my partner was able to challenge a Truma representative about their regulator.
The rep. re-iterated that it was the gas industry at fault, but that Truma has subsequently developed a ‘filter’ to reduce the risk of regulator failure due to oil contaminate at a cost [which we have been quoted] of approx.£70. So, a new regulator
at maybe £60-70 fitted, plus a filter and it is easy to see how a the costs escalate when it fails.
When we suggested that another regulator manufacture [ offering a reasonable guarantee..against a failure] to the rep.he suggested that the oil would probably go through the regulator and then into our appliances and damage them.
We have taken this up with Calor gas. They are adamant that oil is not in the gas vapours, that LPG is a natural product and that the failure is due to the ‘soft components’ in the regulator . .I guess some sort of chemical change...all to technical for
me!
We are fed up with being the ‘suckers’ in the middle of this farce and feel that the C.C. club as our representative should take up the challenge with 1] the caravan/motorhome industry. 2] Truma and 3] our M.P’s and M.E.Ps. to try sort out this
problem once and for all.
It is just not fair for us the consumer, to have to constantly be at risk of regulator failure .It is too costly ,not only in financial terms but emotionally. We are not the only couple to have experienced this frustrating business.
I would be interested in other members views on the subject .