Ferry Crossing
Sorry a newbie question... Just wondering if it is permitted to run a fridge on gas while on a ferry? Travelling with P&O over the summer and wasn't sure if I would be able to. Its not a long crossing, but would be better if I could keep the fridge on during the crossing.
Many Thanks
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The following is from P&O's T&Cs and is typical of all ferry operators.
"vii. A maximum of 3 cylinders of butane/propane (the combined weight of which must not exceed 47 kg) is allowed for lighting, cooking or heating purposes only. All cylinders must be adequately secured against movement of the ship with the supply shut off at the cylinders during the voyage. Leaking and inadequately secured or connected cylinders will be refused shipment. Any gas cylinders to be carried must be declared at the time of booking. Partially full or empty cylinders will be treated as if they are full. A maximum of 6 cylinders of medical oxygen for personal use may be carried, provided a letter from the user's doctor is provided stating that they require medical oxygen."
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We're usually asked if it’s turned off but that's all.
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Rachel, even without frozen milk etc, the fridge part will remain cold for a 4 hr crossing to France....
anyway, fortunately France has wonderful fresh food supplies available from the moment you touch down...
good luck and enjoy your holiday....
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On the tunnel they always ask. They used to actually check but seem to have got a bit lax of late.
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It's good to know that France has fresh food
JK
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yes, amazingly it, and Spain, aren't the third world countries some on CT will have you believe
the point is, on a short crossing, it's not essential to have fridge fully stocked and to spend time worrying about it....
a few bits and pieces and a call into a supermarket as part of a driving break and Robèrt est votre oncle
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You're quite right BB. We only carry provisions for one overnight stop. We've found in Spain the Mercadona chain has large enough parking for motorhome and trailer.
JK
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One of the things about a full fridge is that it stays cooler on the longer crossings.
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Our fridge has auto changeover and will select EHU, gas or engine depending on what is available (obviously, engine whilst on the move). As all Autosleepers have built in LPG tanks, when you stop at the terminal and switch the engine off the fridge will switch automatically to gas. When you then isolate the gas supply the controls go AWOL! So, if it happens to you then all you need to do is reboot once gas is restored - switch off the fridge then on again but make sure the auto position is selected.
When we bought our motorhome the dealer showed us where the main LPG isolation valve was and insisted that you should close this for channel crossings. Unfortunately it is in a very awkward position under the chassis and you need to scramble around on your knees to close it. Fortunately the Tunnel staff seem happy to see the isolators closed inside the wardrobe and although I appreciate that you should really shut the main valve I regret to say that I take the more practical solution.
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The "practical solution" that could put your's and hundreds of others lives at risk for what? A cold bottle of milk when you get to your destination? I think it's a very selfish attitude that could endanger life. The gas off rule is there for an obvious reason, well obvious to someone with an iota of common sense perhaps?
JK
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It’s got nothing to do with cold milk, simply that AS have located the main valve in a position which is extremely difficult to access without sliding under the chassis on your back and I don’t believe that it is designed to be used in normal operation. As others have said, the main system users (cooker, fridge, boiler) are all isolated and there is just a short section of pipe from the tank to the valves. There is also a Truma crash regulator in the circuit.
I think that if this was a genuine concern then AS would have fitted an externally operated isolator next to the tank like fuel shutoff valves on buses etc.
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Same as you, HG. To turn the tank off takes contortions underneath the van and ferry companies have been happy with the supply turned off at the inside taps. The crash safe device is an added bonus.
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i have 2 x 6kg gas tanks in front locker, i simply turn these off when on the move, no problem, as do many, but how many forget
. But that said, how many instances have there been of gas tank explosions on ferrys, more concerned re the idiots who forget to put the handbrake on,
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HG and I both have fixed tanks mounted under the vehicle between chassis members. We’re not talking about easily accessible gas bottles in a locker, although sometimes I wish that’s what we had.
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dont know anything about MH's, but i guess they must be very strong tanks, are you not concerned that they may get damaged and blow up underneath you ???, at least with a caravan it is normally behind you so probably blowing away the person tailing you rather than yourself if it should explode. That said we all have petrol/diesel tanks underneath our vehicles and it is very rare you hear of these exploding.
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I think you answered your own question😀
Some MHs have gas bottles in lockers, some have tanks, so I don’t see a difference from the ‘blowing up’ perspective.
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