My first cross country trip

[rolltideram]

I just got back from my trip to Moab Utah and the Grand Canyon. I pulled my Samurai and hauled my Northstar camper through 13 states. I averaged 11. 02 miles per gallon during the 3941 miles. I did have a couple truck problems that I need to figure out.

On the way out west we camped at Wal-Mart. We ran the fridge off the battery at night and the gas furnace. After pulling out of Kansas a bell went off that said to check gauges. My Volt meter was around 8 volts. I checked the belt and revved the engine and it started charging and ran fine. A few days later we pulled into the Grand Canyon campground after dark. Again ran the fridge and furnace about 8 hours. The next morning truck was dead. I got some rangers to jump me off and the engine light stayed on. It went off after a couple hours. I guess my camper is killing the truck batteries, but is my alternator not charging good enough? Any advice? Thanks, JC

 

[wyosteve]

My guess is your batteries and alternator are just fine. Those fridges will draw huge amounts of power and drain a battery in fairly short order. Next time try running the fridge on gas and your batteries should be fine. I had a slide in camper and with just the fridge it would drain the batteries dead overnight.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

This spring I did my annual Escalante Staircase and Moab adventure. Traveled 3700 miles and hand calced an average of 18. 5 mpg for the whole. 10k on truck and looking for 2 more mpg when broke in.



Advice:



Replace camper and samari with mountain bike and "the shack" (border collies optional). :-laf



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Sweet place to be in the spring!

 

[Tony T.]

Originally posted by wyosteve

My guess is your batteries and alternator are just fine. Those fridges will draw huge amounts of power and drain a battery in fairly short order. Next time try running the fridge on gas and your batteries should be fine. I had a slide in camper and with just the fridge it would drain the batteries dead overnight.

I would second what Wyosteve said. I always run my fridge on the gas while traveling down the road. An it automatically converts over to the electric when I plug in at a RV campsite. Have not tried the Walmart free overnight parking yet. But still would run it on the gas when (boon-docking) an probably go as far as to unplug from truck receptacle over night. Just make sure you have a good trailer battery to run the lights.

 

[TTullio]

The 12V is for while you are driving on the highways as using propane while driving is a little dangerous (semi open flame at gas stations, etc). However, almost everybody uses propane for their fridges while driving, including myself. The 12V is not near as efficient as the propane or 110V and you will see that in your fridge temps as the 12 volts struggles to keep the fridge cold. 12V DC power to a fridge will drain your battery(s) about as quick as batteries can be drained! Only use the 12V, if you want, while driving so the alternator can keep up the charge on them. BTW, one full BBQ size propane tank will keep a normal fridge running for over two weeks. Tim

 

[GFritsch]

If your camper has a battery install an isolator to protect truck battery, If camper doesen't have its own battery consider installing one or more. Many newer truck camper fridges are only two way(no 12v). for the reason you are experiencing. The fridge will kill batteries quickly, and put a strain on charging system even when driving.



Propane is best choice unless you can plug in.

 

[EricBu12]

I have a TT that has a 2 way fridge NO 12 VOLT!! those are ****. Using gas on the road is fine. Pull in to a Gas station, takes 2 seconds to turn off the fridge while fueling... ... or if your trailer is long enough to be out of the overheads when the truck is pulled up, can be left on... ... but not dangerous.



I used Gas on my trailer for 2 weeks and running the furnace and such. I use a baffle on the opening of the fridge cover to prevent the flame from being blown out when going down the road. Use the gas and save the batteries

 

[Forrest]

Just for grins ... how many gas station fires / explosions have you heard of that were caused by a fridge running in an RV?

 

[klenger]

Just for grins ... how many gas station fires / explosions have you heard of that were caused by a fridge running in an RV?

About as many as have been caused by cell phones.