Why can't you take LPG cars on the Eurotunnel?

Not Range Rover specific, but given I really love having a RR, I'm considering either an LPG conversion OR buying another with it already fitted. One of teh reasons is I'd potentially like to go over to France a couple of times a year in it (once in the summer and potentially down to the Alps for skiing in the winter).

Anyway, why can't LPG cars go on the Eurotunnel? I'm guessing something to do with pressurised gas, etc, but the reason for my wondering is that caravans can go on with gas cylinders, be they full, empty or anywhere inbetween! So if they can, why can't LPG cars?

thinkyou canif you turn off the system from the tank..

Health and Safety:flame2::screaming_bug_eye_f

goautogas.com say that this policy is under review which isn't particularly helpful...

It's also banned in a lot of road tunnels in Europe.

you have to stop at the tyne tunnel and be inspected before driving through .
LPG is heavier than air, and thus will flow along floors and tend to settle in low spots, such as basements. This can cause ignition or suffocation hazards if not dealt with.

kooky_guy said:

goautogas.com say that this policy is under review which isn't particularly helpful...

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Wonderful! I just don't see if gas canisters or caravans and the like can go, why LPG cars can't? Very odd!

Cars have a lot of gas plumbing and squirt the stuff into hot engines. Caravans have a small cylinder with an easily accesible shut off valve. Much harder to check if the tank is off on some vehicle gas installations.
I can remember when you had to have a nearly empty petrol tank on some ferries because of the risk of leaks.

Datatek said:

Cars have a lot of gas plumbing and squirt the stuff into hot engines. Caravans have a small cylinder with an easily accesible shut off valve. Much harder to check if the tank is off on some vehicle gas installations.
I can remember when you had to have a nearly empty petrol tank on some ferries because of the risk of leaks.

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I always found that odd (the bit about ferries)! Much safer to have a full tank - it's the petrol fumes that are more dangerous than the liquid!!

I just don't see why if the car is running on petrol whilst onboard at either end there'd be a problem? You can't have the engine on during transit anyway!

Just a thought..... use the ferry its much cheaper.

MikeV8SE said:

I always found that odd (the bit about ferries)! Much safer to have a full tank - it's the petrol fumes that are more dangerous than the liquid!!

I just don't see why if the car is running on petrol whilst onboard at either end there'd be a problem? You can't have the engine on during transit anyway!

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The ferries don't have that rule anymore. The thing with gas is that a small leak can lead to an explosive build up of gas, unlike a petrol leak, the gas is invisible and can accumulate unseen

lowfat said:

you have to stop at the tyne tunnel and be inspected before driving through .
LPG is heavier than air, and thus will flow along floors and tend to settle in low spots, such as basements. This can cause ignition or suffocation hazards if not dealt with.

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are you sure you mean the tyne tunnel.

gemsdad said:

are you sure you mean the tyne tunnel.

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He's right you know,

http://www.tt2.co.uk/upload-files/bye-laws.pdf

byelaw 26, though it does say 'when instructed', rather than all the time.

MW

Mike Whiskey said:

He's right you know,

http://www.tt2.co.uk/upload-files/bye-laws.pdf

byelaw 26, though it does say 'when instructed', rather than all the time.

MW

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i realise now what he meant,but we were talking about the EURO TUNNEL at the time.oops

MikeV8SE said:

I always found that odd (the bit about ferries)! Much safer to have a full tank - it's the petrol fumes that are more dangerous than the liquid!!

I just don't see why if the car is running on petrol whilst onboard at either end there'd be a problem? You can't have the engine on during transit anyway!

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The ferry operators apply that rule - you must switch the system off and board and disembark whilst running on petrol. That said, nobody has ever checked that that's what I've been doing!

I asked the same thing years ago and was informed that untill there is a euro standard of tank and gas systems and certified fitters for all systems it was a NO go . Too many LPG kits fitted by D.I.Y and not safe, If you have seen the Hazard Chemical Video you would wonder why we run around with a bomb in the back.