Running Fridge while traveling

Some have commented about the safety of having the propane on while traveling and something happening to rupture the propane line. I seem to recall something about a valve in the newer tanks that will shutoff if too much propane is flowing. I know that it shuts off if tank is opened too fast sometimes. Seems to me that this would prevent this big propane fire in many cases...

If I were to use my disconnect switch, I think the fridge would turn off and not try to restart until I restored power. It might be easier than climbing inside and messing with it each time we fuel.

pianotuna wrote:
Hi gtsum,

325 watts is not enough of a load for a generator. Once a week for an hour run 1500 watts of load.

Thanks for the info!

I've been RVing for 37 years, 32 years using a propane refer. Once we started a trip, the propane stayed on until we got home. For a coach to catch fire at a gas station, you would literally have to spray the refer with gas, as in the only scenario posted here.

If you're uncomfortable and are in a Class A, you can just start the generator a few minutes before you stop and let the refer (set to AUTO) switch to electric.

For those towing trailers, it can be a real pain to turn the refer on and off. Before and after a station.

Hi gtsum,

325 watts is not enough of a load for a generator. Once a week for an hour run 1500 watts of load.

Picking up a new toy hauler and wondering if it matters to run fridge on propane or genny while travelling? Seems most use propane (with lots of debate about safety it seems, especially when refueling)....shouldnt the genny need to be exercised under load every now and then? I thought it wasnt too good for them to sit for long periods of time?

pitch wrote:
JAX DAD What did you mean by the insurance company will be looking for answers.
If my rig catches on fire the insurance company will pay the claims and will charge me a lot more on my renewal.
that is what insurance does!

Look up the definition of "RED HERRING" and I think you will find your answer quicker.

Larry

JAX DAD What did you mean by the insurance company will be looking for answers.
If my rig catches on fire the insurance company will pay the claims and will charge me a lot more on my renewal.
that is what insurance does!

Mr. Camper wrote:
Mod must be napping or this would have been closed several pages earlier.

Really.

Anyone who brings up this topic should be forced to read the last 5 years of it.

In all fairness, the op asked a harmless question, but as always, anything even remotely related to gas on when driving goes ballistic.

Mod must be napping or this would have been closed several pages earlier.

Old-Biscuit wrote:

Effy wrote:

Turtle n Peeps wrote:

Effy wrote:

Turtle n Peeps wrote:

loneryder wrote:
Thanks for all the comments. It sounds like it's ok to run while driving, just be sure to turn off the refer and propane before refueling. Any good ideas for a reminder?

Here are thoughts on turning off the frig when fueling.

Modern TV's have lots and lots and lots of switches that open and close when you start your engine. Computers and relays and switches and lots of other stuff that draw an arc when starting and running.

Starters throw a huge amount of sparks when starting. This is the reason in 45 years of RVing I never have turned the frig off when fueling.

That being said, if you feel more comfortable turning it off I suggest you do. I'm sure after a few times you will remember to do it. It's such a PITA to do it I'm sure you will remember to pull over before you hit the station and then pull in and refule and then pull out of the station and then pull over and turn the frig on again.

After doing that a few times you will remember..............or just do as I do...........:B

This post makes no sense. When your fridge spark ignites it's no different than lighting a lighter. None of your electronics spark and create an open flame. Unless you have TV's made by the Flintstones. I have seen people smoking at a gas station too and not blow up but that doesn't mean it's ok to do it. And turning it off takes about 2 seconds. Most of us don't travel alone so having someone turn it off and the gen is pretty simple and not the drama you explained here. Do you leave your gen run while you fuel up? Or are you in a TT? You don't have your rig in a signature so I can't tell. I speak from a MH perspective. I find that it's pretty inconsiderate to those getting fuel around you not to mention posted to turn off engines at any station I have ever been to. That has less to do with safety. So I turn it off and because the fridge will spark if I do, I turn it off too. Not that complicated really. Like I said takes someone all of 2 seconds and no extra stop required. All that said, it's probably safe to let it run, but I don't want to be that guy. A few years ago a local guy here lit a cigarette while he was fueling and the entire gas station was lost - including him. I see no real difference of your fridge opening an lp line, spark igniting and subsequently burning a flame. It's the airborne gasoline vapors that are flammable. Proximity probably makes it ok but for the small effort it takes I figure why tempt fate. Your electronics have no such thing and your combustion engine is not open. Apples and oranges. If I had a TT I probably would put my food in a cooler.

^^^^ this post makes no sense. :B

#1. So you don't think sparks can ignite fumes?

#2. Have you ever bench tested a starter motor? (didn't think so)

#3. You do know fumes hang low to the ground don't you?

#4. Do you know the location of starter motors on most vehicles? (didn't think so)

#5. You do know that not everybody owns MH's don't you?

#6. So you think your engine compartment is sealed and no fumes can get into it? :R

#7. Some people own things called TT'er or 5ers. And yes, to turn the frig off on these you would have to pull over twice before fueling.

And the coupe de gras:
"If I had a TT I probably would put my food in a cooler." ROTFLMAO
#8. The above quote deserves a double :R :R

You said tv's. Whatever dude. Never seen a tv spontaneously combust.

TV.....as in TOW VEHICLE
TV..... not TELEVISION

Spontaneous combustion is what oily rags, compost piles and old sleeping people

do

Aha. Makes more sense. My bad . Apologies.