RV Fridge

[tractorface]

What is the consensus on running down the road with the ice box running on propane? I have heard this is unsafe but see no other alternative. Will the unit run on battery while driving without really running the battery down?

Only been RV'ing for a year and have a lot to learn. Rented a motorhome for a 12 day Grand Circle tour last May and have only used my TT sparingly last summer. Any tips would be appreciated.



The CTD makes hauling the thing real easy!



Thanks in advance

 

[RustyJC]

This is a real hot-button issue among RVers - probably as much so as transmission and oil wars here!



I've always run the fridge on propane when traveling. I don't even shut it off while refueling if I'm fueling at an all-diesel fuel island (which I normally do). I haven't had a problem in many years of operating this way.



The main concerns are probably the following:



1. What if I'm in an accident with the propane on? Modern RV's have excess flow devices that would shut off the propane if a line were to be torn loose. Frankly, I'd be much more worried about the plastic or thin steel fuel tank in a gasoline-powered tow vehicle than I would about the propane system in a modern RV in case of an accident.



2. What about the dangers when refueling? By all means I'd turn off the fridge before refueling at a gasoline island on a hot day. An all-diesel island is a completely different matter. If you ever stop at a truck stop fuel island, walk around and notice what's running on the 18-wheelers while they're refueling. Besides, if the fire hazard at fuel pumps is as severe as some would have you believe, we ought to see thousands of people burned up every year when they hit the starter to leave after refueling - take a look inside a starter motor when it engages sometime. It's sitting about a foot off the ground right in the middle of any gasoline vapors that might be present from a spill. Hmmm.....



Do what makes you feel safe, but lots of RVers travel with propane on to run the fridge - some even run the furnace while going down the road.



Rusty

Moderator, iRV2.com

 

[sluper]

We run with our fridge on Propane any time we travel. The way we read the facts are is that the propane could cause a problem if you were near a fuel island with gas vapors or something similar that could ignite if the fridge came on to cool down. I was concerned about laws that prevented traveling through certain areas ; through tunnels etc... but I have not seen any posted signs that cautioned against this. I also have not seen this as being a problem in the Good Sam publications.



Hope this helps, Scott

 

[Dkevdog]

The only way you are going to run your fridge off 12v is if you have a 3way fridge. These are not common anymore. They don't run very efficiently on 12v alone, and will kill your batts in due time if stopped.



Like Rusty said, this has always been a hotly debated topic. I always have and always will run with the fridge on propane. I've never had a problem, and think the likelyhood of a problem to be very, very low. I generally fill at diesel only islands, although since gasoline fumes are heavier than air, and my fifth wheel fridge is high up there (about 5 feet) I doubt there would be any danger. I'm sure someone will chime on here on how wrong I am and how their brother's friends neighbors cousin blew his whole rig up at a fuel station... ... ..... :-{} .





Kev

 

[KenHokie]

As many have said, this is a REAL hot button among RV'ers. Personally, I always run with the fridge running on propane. In my humble opinion, the chances of getting injured due to traveling with the propane turned on are much less than the chances of getting food poisoning from letting the fridge get warm on a 5,6 or 7 hour road trip. I did see a post on one of the RV forums about hooking up an inverter to run the fridge on AC while traveling. I looked at this on my RV but the fridge running on AC pulls 360W. This is not a big inverter but it equates to a constant 30+ Amp drain on the trucks charging system.

 

[exfuzz01]

Fridge on while traveling

We precool the refrig. before we leave with electricity. . When we depart. . the propane is off. . We usually have a cooler handy with snacks etc so we don't have to open the refrig door. The contents of the fridge stays cold all day if we keep the door closed.

 

[tractorface]

This pretty much confirms that what I have been doing is probably OK (running on propane). Sounds like I should be wary of fueling up at certain places with any pilots on.



Makes sense to me. If the rest of the american public would see the benefits of diesel as opposed to gas we wouldn't have any problems would we.



Thanks for the help.

BTW RV'ers must be a lot nicer than most because for a Hot-button issue there was not any name calling or mud slinging what-so-ever:{



Thanks... ..... now which automatic should I run and what type of oil is the best... ... . just kidding. :-{}

 

[klenger]

Other "hot buttons for RV'ers" are towing overweight and dumping graywater on the ground when camping.



I always travel with the frig on, but seldom fuel while towing as my trips ususally aren't that long. I also try to refuel with the camper disconnected because it's a lot easier to drive through the fuel islands w/o the camper attached. On the rare occasion that I do refuel while towing, I try to remember to shut of the frig, but it sure is a pain. You have to stop before and after leaving the fuel pumps. Probably more dangerous than just leaving it running.

 

[Fireman]

Hey Ken,



Don't forget... ... ... ... ... .



to blow out all of those candles before fueliing also



HAPPY BIRTHDAY!



Fireman

 

[RustyJC]

Well, dang it all, Ken, I just looked down at the bottom of the main page. You better watch it - you're about to catch up with me! Just remember - old age is NOT for the faint of heart.



Happy birthday!



Rusty

 

[LRamey]

I subscribe to Trailer Life magazine and there was an article in their Tech section about this issue a while ago. They claim that even though there are some out there that won't drive with the propane on that they personally run with it on all the time. (I do)

I was a volunteer fireman for over 15 years in an area where there are many campers & trailers coming & going all spring, summer & fall. I have seen many wrecks from roll overs to jack knife to side impact. Let me tell you, when you do these kind of things to a trailer, they don't fair well! I have seen holes punched in the tank, valves broke off, hoses cut etc. etc. and never once was any one injured due to any kind of accident. I think if it was a major problem there would be more state laws about this.

Like they said in the article, there are more issues with the 30 + gallons of gas or diesel in the tow rig then 10 - 14 gallons of propane will ever cause.

Just my opinion,

Lonnie

 

[Blu-meanie]

The refer flame on mine is on the opposite side of the pumps and about 15 to 20 feet back. I don't see a problem. I've been towing and refueling with smaller trailers attached for more than 15 years. Some even with the dreaded gassers.

If this was a real problem, there would be a series of blown up/ burned down gas stations all over the U. S.

 

[HBarlow]

I agree with all (but one) of the others who responded. I bought my first travel trailer in 1972 and have always towed with the refrigerator on. A cold refrigerator while traveling is just one of the many benefits in my opinion. The only time I ever remember turning off the refrigerator was when crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel System on a trip to Virginia Beach many years ago. If memory serves me, there was an official inspecting RVs to insure LPG was turned off.



Harvey

 

[TowPro]

Just don't try to follow 95 through Baltamore. the tunnel on 95 does not allow propane at all.



and Yes, I travel with my refer gas on as well.



My pickup camper has a 12V refer. When I got it the positive wire was melted out of the vehicle connector, I would assume it was from running the refer on 12V.

Originally posted by HBarlow

I agree with all (but one) of the others who responded. I bought my first travel trailer in 1972 and have always towed with the refrigerator on. A cold refrigerator while traveling is just one of the many benefits in my opinion. The only time I ever remember turning off the refrigerator was when crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel System on a trip to Virginia Beach many years ago. If memory serves me, there was an official inspecting RVs to insure LPG was turned off.



Harvey

 

[klenger]

Thanks guys. 52 today, but feels like 72 at times.



#ad

 

[Bob Cochran]

Seems to me California there is a law prohibiting towing with fridge or anything on propane let alone when fueling. I think I have seen signs in some stations saying to turn it off. I wonder if anyone does this or highway patrol ever gives tickets for it? I run with the fridge on propane all the time.

 

[Dkevdog]

Originally posted by Bob Cochran

Seems to me California there is a law prohibiting towing with fridge or anything on propane let alone when fueling. I think I have seen signs in some stations saying to turn it off. I wonder if anyone does this or highway patrol ever gives tickets for it? I run with the fridge on propane all the time.

It is illegal but a CHP buddy told me that in his 23 years of duty he has never issued nor heard of another officer issuing a ticket for it.



I imagine if it was a contributing factor to an accident, or caused injory or death from being in an accident, you might have a problem. However, that's a risk I'm willing to take. I just dont think its that much of a problem.



Kev

 

[whiteknight]

suggestion

I hooked up a toggle switch to the 12v wire on the refrigerator and mounted it in the outside cover. Before we pull into the pumps the wife just hop's out and flips the switch and it turns the frig off. Then when we are finished fueling and pull away from the pumps (usually have to wait for wife to return anyway) I just flip the switch and turn back on. Also works great when parked at home and the frig doors are propped open to turn the inside light off.