How long should a pig tail last before it has to be replaced?
My caravan was serviced last year and the pig tail was replaced. I thought that was good as it keeps me safe. Today I looked at the old pigtail, it is marked as being manufactured in 2019 which is reasonable for a 2019 caravan. I then looked at the “new” pigtail and it was manufactured in 2020.
There is no way I am paying for another new one this year but I wondered how long thy should last before being replaced.
------------- We camped for years. In 2019 we bought an Elddis Avante 454. We like it as it is short (6.9m) and fits in our driveway and has a fixed bed.
We had 127 nights away in the caravan in 2023.
The rubber gas hose should be replaced every 5 years from the date marked on the hose which is because rubber perishes over time disregards how much use it has had. It's no different to caravan tyres which should be replaced every 5 years which some are quite often two years out of date when they are fitted leaving just three years of active use left.
Quote: Originally posted by tango55 on 07/3/2023
The rubber gas hose should be replaced every 5 years from the date marked on the hose which is because rubber perishes over time disregards how much use it has had. It's no different to caravan tyres which should be replaced every 5 years which some are quite often two years out of date when they are fitted leaving just three years of active use left.
That was my feeling and I'll be having a few words with the dealer next year.
------------- We camped for years. In 2019 we bought an Elddis Avante 454. We like it as it is short (6.9m) and fits in our driveway and has a fixed bed.
We had 127 nights away in the caravan in 2023.
When I spoke to the tyre fitter a few years ago at Kwik-Fit I raised this very subject regarding outdated caravan tyres and that the customer should be given a discounted price. Their reply was that they can't dictate what tyres they receive, they just have to fit what is delivered to them. It's a bit of a dark area where consumer rights are concerned as you are certainly not getting value for money but there is no governing body you can contact in respect of this. I changed my tyre fitter who now comes to me and he said that he stipulates that caravan tyres delivered to him are no older that 6 months from date of manufacture and he proves this by showing the customer the date on the tyre. I would imagine that the supply of gas hose would be very much identical in terms of date markings but it's certainly worth raising the subject with the dealer at least and see what their reply is.
This is a VERY complicated situation! Part of the ageing process and end of safe/useful life is from when they are fitted and subjected to 'working conditions', but they will also simply time expire from date of manufacture due to the denaturing of materials used, AND storage conditions can shorten life!
5 years in service is considered to be to end of life, two years in CORRECT storage before fitment is also considered acceptable! Then of course, inspection in service comes into play, if signs of noticeable deterioration are apparent, then replacement is recommended regardless of age. So, by my reckoning, up to seven years old (from manufacture) could be safe, BUT any sign of noticeable deterioration at ANY age requires replacement!
I'd not be at all happy if a 'new' replacement was more than a few months from date of manufacture! Any discrepancy between date of manufacture and POTENTIAL end of service life is a loss!
Thankfully the hoses and tyres I've had fitted have been manufactured within months of the fitting date!
I paid a bit more and opted for a stainless steel pigtail on mine, it should last up to 20 years so pays for itself in the end, also there is little or no issues with oily 'gunk' getting into the pressure regulator.
Dave
------------- Never argue with an idiot, they will drag you down to their level and beat you on experience.
Mark Twain.
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Topic: Gas pig taail
