Running Fridge while traveling

Coupe as in Coup.

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

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.

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

Oh.....almost forgot did you have a Ford ambulance in any of your department experience in the eighties ---nineties with the 460 engine ?????

Remember how many Ford ambulances burned up because of the heat and the insulation by the exhaust ,and the carburator spilling gas?????

I was ACTUALLY DRIVING a "Meatwagon"...when it cought fire,with a Pt. In back...on a expressway!!!!


But, the ambulances were still used "Just because many DID NOT CATCH FIRE ,and were lucky ,Dosent make it right".....to use your Quote in a different way...L.O.L.

old guy wrote:
many people will tell you to run your frig while traveling. the Mark Polk and Dr RV will tell you not to run it. and I agree with the Pros on this one. I use frozen reusable ice packs to keep the frig cold while traveling. thus not having to worry about turning off the frig while fueling is another good thing. I spent 30 years on the fire dept here and fought my share of fires started by frig's left on while traveling and refueling. one guy had a brand new MH come through our town and it burned up while traveling with his frig on. we got a new gas station convenience store compliments of a guy with a MH refueling and his frig flame started the place on fire, even burned up the UPS truck next to it and almost the large propane tank there too. I have written this statement many times and they all say I am over exaggerating but it is true and scary as H""". we saved the town that day, if the large propane tank would have blown it was good bye every one with in a mile. I learned from other peoples mistakes and others should too. as you know it only takes once to kill some one or what ever. just because they have done it for years with out mishap doesn't mean it's right.

b



Well.....I have exactly the opposite story to tell

I spent 30 years on fire department and we never had a refrigerator fire !!!!!!


However---- it is documented that the Norcolds do have a fire hazard

The fridgerator is / were meant to be run while traveling ---they were engineered to be run while traveling ----hundreds of thousands of them have done it with no problems!!!!!

The ones they did have a problem were probably less than one percent of all fridges--- and by the way --

Evaporative fridges were invented believe 1920 or something like that so if there was a problem they would not be this popular (remember the CORVAIR)...????

so there is an authentic different point of view to your "educated "point of view---My "educated"point of view.

Oh....and the GAS STATION incident...so how many gas stations Fire did you go to that were caused by cars not motor homes or RVs during your career ????you didn't say that did you???


R.V. Ref. WERE ENGINEERED TO RUN WHILE MOVING !!!!!!!

I would be willing to bet (without looking up the statistics).. which I could do ---that there are more fires caused by cars and trucks driving then refrigerators in RVs -----so are we to tell people you can't put gas in your car and you can't drive your cars because there is a slight chance of a fire????

Sorry but your view is just that.a view


Maybe no one should fly in an airplane because when airplanes crash lots of people died --------oh wait a minute ---most all of the airplanes fly just fine and never crash ?????

most all RV refrigerators run just fine ----and never catch fire ----same difference

Pleasure debating this with another Experienced Firefighter....:C

Muddydogs wrote:
Why do you need to turn off the fridge when fueling?

Has there ever been a case where a fridge started a fire at the gas pumps?

It happens from smaller things than the flame of a fridge. Static from getting in & out of a vehicle, a plastic jerry can rubbing on the box liner of a p/u box, heck even a cell phone can do it.

That's why so many of those things, smoking, cell phone use, open flame are illegal nearly everywhere.

Yes, RV's DO burn because of it, and I'm willing to bet your insurance company would be looking to the owner for some answers.

RV burns after fridge flame ignites fire at gas station.

Muddydogs wrote:
Why do you need to turn off the fridge when fueling? Do you stop short of the gas pump to turn off the fridge before you fuel or do you pull up to the pump then shut off the fridge? If you do the latter then what about the guy fueling next to you, his gas fumes are a lot closer to your fridge then the fumes from your fueling will ever be. When do you restart the fridge, while setting at the pump with some guy fueling next to you? Has there ever been a case where a fridge started a fire at the gas pumps?

When traveling set the fridge on propane and travel away. I do check it every few hours just to make sure its still on, well I check the lights to make sure the check light isn't lit.

Dw turns off the gen and fridge before pulling in and back on once we are underway. It's really not complicated. To do it at the pump is kind of stupid. Not sure why anyone thinks this is difficult in a mh. She gets up and hits 2 switches. That's really all thre is to it. It may never cause any issue. It's just something I do. I turn the gen off mainly because I think it's rude to let it run while fueling and because it really shouldn't be running at at gas station. But I always feel a system trying to repeatedly spark ignite to create an open flame at a gas station isn't a good idea. Maybe I'm wrong. I never looked for cited cases of it happening. I know lighting a cigarette and even static discharge has caused gas station fires. Just seems logical to me to turn off something akin to an electric match. I have to imagine it's posted in a manual.

Why do you need to turn off the fridge when fueling? Do you stop short of the gas pump to turn off the fridge before you fuel or do you pull up to the pump then shut off the fridge? If you do the latter then what about the guy fueling next to you, his gas fumes are a lot closer to your fridge then the fumes from your fueling will ever be. When do you restart the fridge, while setting at the pump with some guy fueling next to you? Has there ever been a case where a fridge started a fire at the gas pumps?

When traveling set the fridge on propane and travel away. I do check it every few hours just to make sure its still on, well I check the lights to make sure the check light isn't lit.

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.