Gas Regulators/gas suppliers

I’m writing this hoping that what I’m going to say may provoke some interesting comments, although many of you will say “ so what’s new?”    My partner  and  I own a 2006 Autocruise  motorhome , [new to us since 2010] and in that time have had to replace 3 Truma gas regulators.  The  last one failed after approx. 6weeks of actual use.  We sent  it back to truma  [at some expense] only to be told it was not their problem but the failure was due to ‘oil contaminates’ in the gas and that they would not replace it.

It seems that this problem has been recognised since 2004/5 by the caravan industry had  more importantly, known to  the C.C. and obviously Truma.  At  a recent caravan show in London my partner was able to challenge a Truma representative about their regulator.

The rep. re-iterated that it was the gas industry  at fault, but that Truma  has  subsequently developed a ‘filter’ to reduce the risk of regulator failure due to oil contaminate at a  cost [which we have been quoted] of  approx.£70. So,  a new regulator at maybe £60-70 fitted,  plus a filter and it is easy to see how a the costs  escalate when it fails.

When we suggested that another regulator manufacture [ offering  a  reasonable guarantee..against a failure]  to the rep.he  suggested that the oil would probably go through the regulator and then  into our appliances and damage them.

We have taken this up with Calor gas. They  are adamant that oil is not in the gas vapours, that LPG is a natural product  and that the failure is due to the ‘soft components’ in the regulator . .I guess some sort of chemical change...all  to technical for me!

We are fed up with being the ‘suckers’ in the middle of this farce  and  feel  that the C.C. club as our representative  should take up the challenge with 1] the caravan/motorhome  industry. 2]  Truma  and 3]  our M.P’s and M.E.Ps.  to  try sort out this problem once and for all.

It is just not fair for us the consumer, to have to constantly be at risk of regulator failure .It is too costly ,not only in financial terms but emotionally. We are not the only couple to have experienced this  frustrating  business.

I would be interested in other members views on the subject .