Forum Discussion

Burwoods's avatar
Burwoods
Explorer
May 28, 2014

Boondocking and fridge

We will be taking our first trip with our new to us Motorhome, with our grandsons. We have a park that we love and a spot that we love, as it is out of the way and safe for the boys to just run and play. We are also out of others way, two boys can be noisy. Anyway our question is we would have to boondock and were wondering how long the propane would last running the fridge. We will be there for 7 days at least. Being new to all this, we are very green. Boondocking the first time out may be a bit of an adventure, but what the heck. We do not need to use stove in RV, so I believe it would just be the fridge that would be using the propane. Oh wait hot water I guess also. Thanks
  • Ron3rd's avatar
    Ron3rd
    Explorer III
    May 28, 2014
    The big hogs for propane are the water heater and furnace. The fridge sips propane. Make sure the fridge is not set to "auto" as it uses more 12v power in this mode, effecting your batteries. Make sure it is set to gas.
  • Burwoods's avatar
    Burwoods
    Explorer
    May 28, 2014
    HappyKayakers wrote:
    It shouldn't be a problem but it really helps if you say how much propane you have to start with.


    I believe it may be a 29gal propane tank. Class A 36' RV
    And I believe only one tank
  • GoPackGo's avatar
    GoPackGo
    Explorer
    May 28, 2014
    Is there more then one tank ? If yes, then just keep one shut off. When the first one runs out you will know how long your propane will last.

    You might consider not heating the hot water tank all the time if you believe you will run out. Maybe shut it off at night, or run it every other day. You can always heat up a pot full on the stove if needed.

    My first pop-up had one of the 5 gallon hot water heaters and I found I could just leave the pilot light lit and it would heat up the tank overnight - but that was before the auto-ignition types we have today.
  • PRodacy's avatar
    PRodacy
    Explorer
    May 28, 2014
    We have a truck camper, but we using propane to heat water (turn on only when needed), occasionally run the furnace, plus the refrigerator. One 20 pound bottle will easily last 3 weeks. Using only the refrigerator, one bottle should easily last for a month.
  • HappyKayakers's avatar
    HappyKayakers
    Explorer
    May 28, 2014
    It shouldn't be a problem but it really helps if you say how much propane you have to start with.

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