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ONLINE forums are perpetuating urban myths about caravan gas bottle
requirements, according to LPG gas supplier Elgas.
The company categorically denies claims that only gas bottles with certain
coating classification codes can be used on caravans and that using the
wrong gas bottle could void insurance.
"Many, many years ago there was a common sense 'recommendation' suggesting
that Code 4 bottles would not be ideal for continuous exposure on a
caravan tow bar," its online blog says.
"This was never a ban and even the recommendation vanished from the
Standards many years ago.
"We know this for a fact because the gentleman that wrote that
recommendation, as a member of the Standards Committee, currently works
for Elgas."
The company, which is behind the popular SWAP'n'GO gas bottle exchange
scheme, points out that insurance companies would have no grounds on which
to reject a claim on the basis of the coating classification code.
"There is no Standard or legal requirement for any coating classification
code for a caravan application," it said.
"In addition, we have never seen such a clause in any policy and the LPG
industry association would almost surely oppose any such arbitrary and
capricious clause.
"If anyone actually has a policy that states this, we would love to see a
copy."
Elgas said while reading the forums it had come across a "great safety
concern" which could actually affect insurance.
"Contributors make mention of having six, eight or as many as 12 gas
bottles," it explained.
"There are various state regulations that limit the number of gas bottles
you can carry in a private vehicle.
"For example, Queensland limits you to two gas bottles. If you are caught
with more you can be fined."
Insurance companies could be within their rights to deny a claim while
clients were breaking the law by carrying too many gas bottles.
"This would be especially true if there was a fire in which the extra
bottles contributed to the blaze," Elgas said.
