I have a 2001 hybrid travel trailer. I'm interested in setting it up so that the fridge can be running while i'm traveling that way everything stays cool and I don't have to wait for the fridge to change over and cool down again from changing it off propane. The fridge has only a 12 volt plug by it which only has power when the trailer is plugged into shoreline. I'm interested in finding out what I would need such as invertor and such in order to run it off the constant dc power coming from the truck while towing?

Doesn't the propane setting do that? Mine does.. ;)This will probably get into the good ol' running on propane ordeal that usually gets pretty heated... If you must run it on electric while driving, setup a straight inverter setup wired directly to the battery and plug in the 110v plug into it while traveling and hope the trickle of charge the tow vehicle provides takes care of it..You'll need some pretty heavy gauge cables running from the battery to the inverter. The longer the run, the more voltage loss you will have.Good luck!Mitch

pedals wrote:I don't have to wait for the fridge to change over and cool down again from changing it off propane. I don't understand this part, but, why not just run it off propane?

You need a three-way fridge ... gas, 110v, and 12v. Then, you run a charging / running line (8g or larger) from your alternator to the fridge.OR, if it's a two-way, 110v and gas, then you need an inverter (converts DC to AC) to change your 12v charge line to 110v while driving, and run the fridge off the 110v inverter.You need to know what size fridge motor to know what size inverter you need. It's simpler if you have a three-way fridge. Run on DC ... but it will only keep it cool while traveling, will not work as well as gas or 110v.Which ever way you go, make sure you have a cut-out for when you're parked, or the fridge will drain your truck battery. Electrical power on the fridge uses a lot more than gas.Another option run the gas while you travel - shield the gas flame from the wind so it doesn't blow out. Some will disagree with gas on the road, but we've been running our fridge on gas for years with no issues, as have a lot of others. Make sure you rig it so it's safe, doesn't wind-blow.

I'm a little confused too. Why not just run it on propane? I always do. In fact it uses so little propane and because I often plug into places that barely have enough currant I almost never run mine on electric.

Hi,The fridge on 120 volt ac power draws about 325 watts. Running it on an inverter may load the battery at about 32 amps.

Running fridge while traveling off truck | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Apr 12, 2014
pedals wrote:
I find when I change over from propane to shore power that it takes awhile to get the condensers working again under the 120v pretty much just like plugging it in for the first time

I think you are confused.......
Are you saying the fridge warms up when swapping from electric to propane or from propane to electric??
Swapping from electric to propane to electric should be simple.

When swapping from propane to electric the electric heater would only come on when temp control calls for it. The element doesn't stay on all the time.

The propane flame comes on/off as needed...doesn't stay lit continuously (unless you have an older style fridge)
The propane flame may not light off for awhile cause the temp control isn't calling for it.

When traveling...just operate fridge on propane. Swap back to electric when you get hooked back up (or leave it on propane as it uses little)
pianotuna
Nomad III
Apr 12, 2014
Not really: 400 watt $25.00

down home wrote:
The Inverter might be kinda pricey.
Showme_5vr
Explorer
Apr 12, 2014
We've made trips from Belton, Mo to Jacksonville, Fl from Belton to Virginia Beach, Va and from Belton to Mount Rushmore and have always run the frig on propane while traveling. Have had no problems and the transition from propane to electric is automatic with no warm up. The only time we shut the frig off is when we pass through a tunnel.
MitchF150
Nomad
Apr 12, 2014
I just leave mine on gas when I start it before my camping trips, even when plugged in... I'm in and out of the fridge a lot (it's where the beer is) and it stays colder on gas better than on electric when the door is opened a lot..

Yes, I know I can get an ice chest, but ice cost $$ too and I hate dealing with an ice chest when I've got a perfectly good fridge that is already cold... ;)

Just what works for me... :)

Mitch
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Apr 12, 2014
^^^^^What he said.
2oldman
Explorer II
Apr 12, 2014
pedals wrote:
I find when I change over from propane to shore power that it takes awhile to get the condensers working again under the 120v pretty much just like plugging it in for the first time
Something wrong there. It should be a seamless transition with no noticeable temperature change.

Does the refer actually start warming up? That takes hours even if you turned it off.
pedals
Explorer
Apr 12, 2014
I find when I change over from propane to shore power that it takes awhile to get the condensers working again under the 120v pretty much just like plugging it in for the first time
Bird_Freak
Explorer II
Apr 12, 2014
You lost me at the cool down again when changing over part.
down_home
Explorer II
Apr 12, 2014
You can do it. Our F350 had a 20 amp fuse ,to the fifth wheel. It had two alternators and batteries so there should be no problem.
The Inverter might be kinda pricey.
Run it off propane. The truck will keep the battery charged. The small amount ,of electricity won't drain a battery, with no charger connected for some time, on propane.
I started to say install and inverter/charger. Good idea but shouldn't be necessary for this. To use 120, need another refrigerator, unless you are equipped with a generator or wired for it's installation already.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Apr 12, 2014
Hi,

The fridge on 120 volt ac power draws about 325 watts. Running it on an inverter may load the battery at about 32 amps.