Running Fridge while traveling

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

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?

Why would you put a refer in a trailer if it's that dangerous and ready to blow up at anytime? If they were that unsafe I wouldn't own an RV. I leave mine on "auto" all summer long. I only turn it off when it goes into storage for the winter.

Run it on propane.......most def less cost

Is that really the case if you have the option to run off the batteries while in transit? I figure the batteries will stay charged up while driving, even with a few short stops, costing me nothing and conserving propane for heating & the stove. Not that propane is that expensive, more just a matter of having plenty on hand if I hit a cold spell.

If I can't operate it while traveling I dang sure am not going to operate while I am sleeping.

Oh the horror!

Run it , either fed by gen or LP. The only caveat I exercise is that when I am fueling, I turn it off. It is an open flame after all and when I use the gen and shut the gen off when pulling in for fuel, the fridge will spark ignite when it switches to LP. Again, something I eliminate when fueling by turning it off. But while under way and driving, yes it stays on auto. That's what it's designed to do. It's funny to hear people post about not running the gen, or the rooftop air or the Fridge etc. What did you buy a MH for? All of those things are designed to be used while travelling. That's the whole point of a MH. Otherwise we might as well all have TT's or tents.

Many people see nothing wrong with running on propane while in motion and to them I say "Good Luck With That!"

Having spent many years in Emergency Management and Fire Suppression Engineering, I will not operate a moving vehicle with open propane cylinders on board. (I would have to seriously consider the risks of using a CNG vehicle.)

My tanks are shut off before the trailer moves. Every time.

Did you see the video of the Blue Rhino fire here in Central Florida last year?? 20# tanks flying like rockets and landing a half mile from the plant.

No thank you!

Actually all the "pros" - that is the companies that make them, say it is fine to use them going down the road. Then there's testing laboratories like UL and even more impressive, CSA that is fine with it.
While there may be some people out there that dont like the idea, the industry as a whole supports it.

As for fires, there was a time when it was an issue but even then it was rare. I have two career firemen that live near me. Both Captains - Between them they have more than 60 years of experience and neither one has ever seen a RV fridge fire. They said the vast majority of fires are started in the engine compartment of older MH's.

if the large propane tank would have blown it was good bye every one with in a mile.

And then you wonder why people say you exaggerate? :R

I think a factual link about propane is in order.

Over 100,000 people die on our roads in the US every year. Many are RV'ers. How many die of propane accidents every year?

If you RV, and are worrying about dying, propane accidents are the least of your worries and that's a fact backed up by facts not hyperbole.