How To Look After Your Caravan’s Gas System

Caravans usually have an onboard gas system for allowing cooking to be carried out inside it. Not only is the gas system useful in cooking, but it also keeps the caravan warm. This can be pretty useful, especially when the weather outside is cold. The caravan’s gas system needs to be managed carefully to avoid any explosions or other fatal outcomes. This requires periodic maintenance and immediate repairing of damages that are detected.

Why Is Caravan Gas Safety So Important?

No matter how careful you might while handling the gas system, it is a volatile substance eventually. Without proper safety measures, it would be difficult to ensure the maintenance of a safe environment within the caravan. While it is important to conduct periodic maintenance for the system, it is even more important to get it done by professionals to avoid any mess-ups later.

Secondly, all caravans need to have proper ventilation to prevent build-up of gases inside the caravan itself. The vents need to have a permanent design which would allow the ventilation to be maintained throughout. It is best to leave these vents open and under no circumstance should you even think about blocking them. If there is a carbon monoxide build-up inside the caravan, then these open vents would allow the gas to move out and prevent it from getting concentrated to dangerous levels.

The problem with carbon monoxide is that it is an odourless, tasteless and colourless gas. It is also deadly in nature and can cause death if the concentration is high inside the caravan. This is why modern caravans are equipped with carbon monoxide testers as well as smoke testers to make sure that all the appropriate security measures are implemented.

What is the Ideal Frequency of Getting the System Checked / Serviced?

The ideal frequency for getting your caravan’s gas system checked is once every year. This is not your average check-up where some pressure is applied to check for leakage. The person responsible for checking the gas system would perform a far more comprehensive check-up than usual, which includes monitoring the way the flame burns, monitoring the direction and movement of carbon monoxide inside the vehicle, etc. All of these checks are required to ensure that no fatal outcomes occur during the gas system’s operation.

How to Identify Improper Gas Combustion?

Improper gas combustion can be detected by checking the colour of the flame. A yellow flame indicates improper combustion which could lead to the build-up of carbon monoxide inside the caravan. A large blue flame indicates that everything is in perfect condition. So whenever you have a yellow flame, make sure that you get the system checked by a professional before it’s too late.

How to Detect Problems with the Gas Fridge?

The cooking system is not the only component that utilizes gas, the gas fridge also uses it in order to function properly. For identifying problems with the gas fridge, you need to inspect the actual vent (placed on the outside) and check for carbon build up. A carbon build up is usually marked by a black mark on the side of the caravan. If this happens, then get your caravan checked immediately and shut off the gas system completely till everything is inspected by the professional.

Caution! - Position Your Caravan Awning Carefully

Some vans have the gas fridge / vent towards the awning’s direction. So whenever you have a full awning or an annexe, then incorrect combustion could cause a build-up of carbon monoxide inside the van which would prove to be fatal. So before installing a caravan annexe or an awning, make sure you check the vents and outlets for the gas. This small precaution can help you to avoid dire situations and ensure the safety of your caravan’s gas system.