Longshore
California
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Joined: 08/07/2018
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I read some threads in the " beginning RV" dept. about traveling with the propane on to the fridge. Most of the entries are 15 years old.
I respect the knowledge and opinions expressed here. I know there are differing opinions on this subject. So do you leave the LP on while traveling? I know to shut it off before fueling, but on these hot days if I open the fridge once it takes hours to get real cold again. Turning off the gas I might as well pack an ice chest and use the fridge for storage.
Apologies if this is like the TP thread...rehashed to death...
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Kayteg1
California > Nevada
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That topic was hot 15 years ago when trucks had smaller alternators and inverters were expensive.
The issue is that when driving with propane flame is OK, sooner or later you will forget to turn it off, or on while fueling.
Leaving it on 12V makes it bulletproof, although 12V elements deliver less cooling that good propane burner.
The dispute is even hotter in motorhomes section.
There have been several reported accidents, where flat tire took the inner fender with it and live propane tubing above.
Add spark from the rim touching the road and motorhome was totaled due propane not shut off at the tank.
So having motorhome, driving with propane off from the tank was religious.
On TC the risk is lower, when factory charging wire is not adequate for running fridge on 12V, so I used propane flame.
Yes guilty of fueling with open flame.
Lately I parted my camper and used the parts for Sprinter conversion.
Having 3-way fridge and 2-way water heater I deleted propane all together and have all operating on electric power.
WH runs on inverter, who has ignition-activated switch and when 12V on fridge turns too low, I switch it to 120V from inverter as well.
* This post was
edited 07/31/21 12:04pm by Kayteg1 *
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bgum
South Louisiana
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We run with the gas on. We try to use the first pump in a two pump isle. That way the trailer is out in the clear and not near gas fumes. If someone wants to use the second pump they can pull in ahead of us or back up to the pump. Open flame near gas fumes is dangerous.
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Lwiddis
Monterey, California
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Safer to drive with propane off…yes..but I drive with the fridge and propane on.
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, 300 watt solar-parallel & MPPT, Trojan T-125s. TALL flag pole. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist14 yr. Army vet-11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad
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bukhrn
Lanexa, Va
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Fridge and propane on , except when plugged in, then Fridge and water heater on electric.
2007 Forester 2941DS
2014 Ford Focus
Zamboni, Long Haired Mini Dachshund
You can have my RV, when you pry my cold dead fingers from the Steering Wheel
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[email protected]
Vermont
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Propane on when traveling. I don’t have 12 volt fridge so it is either propane or shore power. Since we have a diesel truck no issue with fumes.
Shawn
2013 Ford F350 6.7 CCLB Ruby Red SRW, sway bar, Bilsteins, etc
2007 Cyclone toyhauler, 18,000 GVWR
Northstar Igloo 9.5
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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^Because no one will ever spill some gas while you’re filling with diesel?
Not that I believe it’s a significant risk at all.
Traveling with propane fridge off in hot weather is basically a death sentence for your food IMO, unless you have DC mode and enough battery power to compensate.
Use the propane.
This is another ridiculous wivestale/fear that I don’t understand….honestly.
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
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Kayteg1
California > Nevada
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[email protected] wrote:Propane on when traveling. I don’t have 12 volt fridge so it is either propane or shore power. Since we have a diesel truck no issue with fumes.
Several members choose to use inverter to run the fridge.
Having build-in inverter in my F350, I was also considering to run 120V wire to the fridge, but other projects got higher priority.
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Slymer
Ontario, Canada
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Fridge on propane while travelling. When fueling I find it easier to turn the fridge off than the propane at the tank. I figure with the fridge off it shuts down any spark attempt to re-light.
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toedtoes
California
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Depends on the time spent on the road. If I am going for less than 4 hours, I cool it on shore power before the trip, fill it up, and drive with it turned off. When I arrive at the campground, I turn the propane on. I have found that fridge stays cold enough for that distance to not be a problem.
For drives longer than 4 hours, I run it on propane. I could run it on 12v, but I don't want to have to worry if I decide to make a stop - with 12v, I could potentially run down the tow vehicle battery during a stop.
1975 American Clipper RV with Dodge 360 (photo in profile)
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Both born in Morgan Hill, CA to Irv Perch (Daddy of the Aristocrat trailers)
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