Bigmoss
Jun 28, 2013Explorer
Trailering with propane ?
This might seem like a dumb question but this is my first big trailer. Is it ok to run the fridge on propane while traveling from one spot to the next to keep things frozen and cold ?
Ezbagr wrote:
Thousands of RV`s go down the road every year with their fridge running off of propane and there are very, very few reports that show running your fridge on propane while going down the road is dangerous.
Same goes for refueling. How many stories has one heard of refueling and the fridge running on propane causing a fire, I have been rv`ing for 40 years and have never heard of such a story. Also, if you are so worried about that happening you had better be shutting down your cell phone at the same time.
Coach-man wrote:Do you not have to come to a stop, walk back in the coach to turn off the fridge. I did with my MH. Hard to refuel without stoping. And for the OP, my gas is on all the time with the fridge on auto.
Good responses, yes there is a minimal risk driving down the road, but it is probably less than the risk of you getting into an accident! There is one major issue not discussed, and what do you do when fueling? With class A and C it is relativley easy to turn off the fridge prior to pulling into the fuel stop, then turn it back on once underway, but in a fith wheel, you would have to come to a stop get out, go into the trailer and turn off the fridge. The proble, is more with the electronic lighters than with the propane, but one should be very careful around the gas "docks"!
Unlikely in the extreme, since most RV's are now equipped with an ACME connection that will shut the flow of gas off if it senses a sudden increase in gas flow beyond a certain limit. (If/when a line is severed, for example.)
wilber1 wrote:
Maybe, but every week someone is posting a photo of an RV burning up beside the road. Who knows what started these fires but I would be willing to bet that at some point, most of them end up being fed by an open propane bottle.
Acme nuts contain a thermal bushing, which will melt in a fire, and prevent the escape of gasses from the tank. When it melts, it allows the new OPD spring activated shut off valve, which will only allow the flow of gas if a fitting is attached, to pop out and completely shut the flow down.