Regulations regarding gas bottles mounting
Submitted: Wednesday, Mar 17, 2004 at 19:17
ThreadID:
11335
Views:
31420
Replies:
13
FollowUps:
23
This Thread has been Archived
cokeaddict
Hi all,
I was thinking of buyng a gas bottle mount as used on caravans to use on my 7x4 offraod trailer, But when i went into the
shop today, they mentioned that there are laws in relation to where exactly you can mount the bottle (due to collision impacts)
Was wondering if anyone out there knows if there is a place in cyber space for me to go have a read of the rules on this..OR if anyone here knows what can and cannot be done. I know that the A-frame is the place to go BUT i cant see it being strong enough to hold the bottle without eventually cracking when off-roading (i havea tool box flush against the trailer wall)
My original intent was to mount it behind the wheel arch as it fits perfectly there without protruding
the arch. My only other option would be to mount it side ways inside the trailer (laying on its belly just below the trailer cover rather than on floor as my trailer is usually set up to fit everything without loose spots) is this ok to do?
Any help would be great
Regards Angelo
Reply By: navaraman - Wednesday, Mar 17, 2004 at 21:09
Wednesday, Mar 17, 2004 at 21:09
I've looked in my Australian Gas regs and can't find any reference to LPG cylinders and trailers so it must come under road rules. Some points, never carry a cylinder on it's side, the valve must be at the top so as to be in the vapour space, they are not to be in liquified LPG. I wouldn't carry a cylinder on a roof rack as LPG is heavier than air and I wouldn't want to risk it seeping into my car if I was parked and the cylinder leaked a little.
For cylinders designed to reamian connected to caravans they must be at least 200mm off the ground and mounted externally on the draw bar or on in a "similarly secured location on the caravan wall which would face the towing vehicle." In a compartment on the draw bar or in a compartment inside the caravan which is vapour proof to the caravan.
This would suggest the draw bar is the least likely place to be affected in a collision and as such would be the safest for portable bottles too.
AnswerID:
50756
Follow Up By: Nudenut - Thursday, Mar 18, 2004 at 07:41
Thursday, Mar 18, 2004 at 07:41
why are bottles on
fork lifts and the like on the side when in use and yet transported (delivered) vertically.
Why cant the valve be in liquid?
FollowupID:
312573
Follow Up By: navaraman - Thursday, Mar 18, 2004 at 18:08
Thursday, Mar 18, 2004 at 18:08
Don't know the answer to either question. You would imagine if the valve is gas proof it should be liquid proof as
well. I gave up trying to understand the gas regs years ago, I just work to them and hope the regulator (that's the government official not the pressure regulator) leaves me
well alone. The twice yearly audits can be a pain in the arse.
FollowupID:
312665
Follow Up By: Wayne (NSW) - Thursday, Mar 18, 2004 at 18:25
Thursday, Mar 18, 2004 at 18:25
Nudenut,
The valve on a gas bottle must be able to vent if the gas bottle gets to a certian temp. Leaking gas into a
open space is better than the bottle exploding.
As for
fork lifts they have a 2 blow off valves, one upright and one for when it is on it's side. The gas bottle must be laid on it's side with the hose conection pointing down, this gets the valve in the right postion.
Wayne
FollowupID:
312668
Reply By: Member - Bob - Wednesday, Mar 17, 2004 at 22:00
Wednesday, Mar 17, 2004 at 22:00
I would have thought that the gas cyl should be mounted as far aft on the trailer as possible. That way, in the event of a collision, you should be pretty safe but the turkey running up your clacker will get a message he won't forget in a while.
How often do gas cylinders explode on the road? How do they differ from fuel tanks on vehicles? Isn't all this legislation gross overkill for a theoretical problem?
I have a gas cylinder mounted on each side of the trailer behind the mud guards. The brackets where installed by the trailer manufacturer prior to it being registered in the ACT.
AnswerID:
50772
Follow Up By: cokeaddict - Wednesday, Mar 17, 2004 at 22:05
Wednesday, Mar 17, 2004 at 22:05
Hi Bob,
Hmmmmm seems like there are a few people with mounts behind the mud guards..
Loved the line about the turkey behind hitting u will remember it for ever and a day
Cheers all
Angelo
FollowupID:
312538
Reply By: Richard & Leonie - Wednesday, Mar 17, 2004 at 22:27
Wednesday, Mar 17, 2004 at 22:27
It's a question that has come up a number of times in the
forum and people have said it is illegal to carry gas bottles on top of a vehicle. No one has quoted the legislation or regulation so I presume they are only passing on beliefs not facts.
If you search under RTA in NSW the only thing I can remotely find that might cover it is the requirement to have ANYTHING carried on a vehicle to be securely fixed and not likely to cause a danger to others.
For me its on the roof rack. It is dangerous to carry in the car. If there is the slightest of leaks, Kurboom!!! Dangerous carried on the rear if someone tailgates you. It is all very
well to say they might incinerate themselves and tough but what happens if they are pushed into you or you do something stupid and cause it or some innocent bystander cops a gas bottle passing through them at great speed. For CT's I would be guided by the manufacturer. They have to get them registered.
If there any police members or lawyers out there how about it.
AnswerID:
50780
Reply By: Robert - Thursday, Mar 18, 2004 at 11:49
Thursday, Mar 18, 2004 at 11:49
Our gas bottles are mounted on the left-hand side of the trailer to the rear of the mudguard, as I consider this to be the safest and most practical place. I was not comfortable with gas cylinders or fuel containers being mounted at the front of the trailer, as I consider this not to be much different to having gas cylinders or fuel mounted on the rear on a vehicle.
In the event of a severe rear end collision, the thought of the gas bottles (or fuel containers) being sandwiched between the vehicle and trailer isn’t a nice one!
At least with a side collision I would think the trailer would tend to be pushed away from the colliding vehicle on impact – not sandwiched between my vehicle and the other vehicle.
AnswerID:
50833
Reply By: Member Colin - NSW Bungendore - Thursday, Mar 18, 2004 at 13:41
Thursday, Mar 18, 2004 at 13:41
A very interesting subject.
What about the 1000's of people who go camping in standard cars, without trailers or roof racks? Where do they store their gas bottles - in the boot or in the back of the waggon!
So, what is the solution for these poor suckers - collect wood for a fire to
cook their tea, or maybe they should just stay
home - I don't think so.
I carry 2 small bottles in the back of the car, one for the frig and one for the stove - have done for ....Hmmmm .. 30 or more years. Where else would we suggest I keep them?
I think that the 'authorities' need to change the MV regs to make 4WD's have their exhaust systems placed on the roof, not under the car - that will lessen the No. of vehicles lost to fire in the bush! ??
I think we should take Willems advise and be SENSIBLE and not stress too much.
There is far greater 'risk' taken by those who have a couple of slabs of beer in the back of the car!
Happy days !
AnswerID:
50856
Follow Up By: Wayne (NSW) - Thursday, Mar 18, 2004 at 18:14
Thursday, Mar 18, 2004 at 18:14
Colin,
The carring of gas bottles in the vehicle was outlawed a few years ago when a plumber in
Sydney had a slow leak in his van. On Tuesday morning after a long weekend he started the van. They found parts of his van in the next post code.
This one incidence caused a review of gas bottle storage.
Wayne
FollowupID:
312667