Do you travel with the propane on to run the refrigerator? What safety measures need to be taken? We haven’t been traveling more then 1 1/2 hours from home, so our fridge hasn’t cooled down much, but planning on some longer trips. Thanks In Advance

Yes, we always ran with LP on UNTIL we stopped for fuel. I would pull over before we got to the station and turn it off at the cylinder. After fueling, I would pull out of the station, or at least away from the fuel pumps, and turn it back on. Then I would enter the TT to make sure the frig was lit again. Safety first!!

IDman wrote:Yes, we always ran with LP on UNTIL we stopped for fuel. I would pull over before we got to the station and turn it off at the cylinder. After fueling, I would pull out of the station, or at least away from the fuel pumps, and turn it back on. Then I would enter the TT to make sure the frig was lit again. Safety first!!Thank you. Have you ever had to relight the stove to make sure propane was still flowing to the fridge? One last question, at home do you start off with the fridge on electric and then switch to propane when you leave ? Or just start off with the propane at home before you leave? Thank you

IDman wrote:Yes, we always ran with LP on UNTIL we stopped for fuel. I would pull over before we got to the station and turn it off at the cylinder. After fueling, I would pull out of the station, or at least away from the fuel pumps, and turn it back on. Then I would enter the TT to make sure the frig was lit again. Safety first!!What is it about fueling up that makes you want to shut off the propane?When I had a trailer, the propane was always on until it needed to be switched or until I put it in storage. Now, the only time I turn it off is when refilling the tank.

I leave the refer in "auto". We run with the propane on. Turning off propane is a safety item when refueling. Chances of enough build up to blow up would be very minimal. Not saying not to do it or to do it!

We shut off any appliances using propane in our motorhome when refueling to prevent the ignition sequences from possibly igniting gasoline fumes, but not the tank itself. With a trailer, the distance from the fuel fill point pretty much negates any danger risk. We no longer have an absorption fridge, so no propane needed there, but we do run our two propane furnaces as needed when traveling in cold weather. We also use the stove at rest stops to make lunch sometimes.

Traveling with Propane on | Good Sam Community

valhalla360
Navigator
Jul 01, 2022
Skibane wrote:
Also, there's usually a lot more wind outdoors than inside a residential garage - so there's much less chance of vapors accumulating at a gas station.

OTOH, most folks don't fuel up inside their garages, so there's less chance of fumes being created - and also less chance an accidental fuel spill.

Lots of folks fill the lawnmower in the garage and that's a lot more likely to result in spillage and fumes compared to a car at a gas station.
Skibane
Explorer II
Jul 01, 2022
Mike134 wrote:
No need to shutoff the flame on the frig when refilling.

If you live down south you know that many homes have the gas hot water heater in the garage mounted on an 18" platform above the floor per building codes. Code officials figure you'd likely store gasoline in the garage( and the fumes sink to the ground) so that's why the heater is elevated. Your RV Frig is likely 3 feet or more off the floor and your outdoors so there is zero risk.

Also, there's usually a lot more wind outdoors than inside a residential garage - so there's much less chance of vapors accumulating at a gas station.

OTOH, most folks don't fuel up inside their garages, so there's less chance of fumes being created - and also less chance an accidental fuel spill.
toedtoes
Explorer III
Jul 01, 2022
I know it was a joke. It's just one that annoys the heck out of me because so many people REALLY BELIEVE they cannot cut the tags off pillows, etc.
dedmiston
Moderator
Jun 30, 2022
toedtoes wrote:
dedmiston wrote:

It's not the same, but pretty close.

Actually, it's not anywhere being close.
Mike134
Explorer
Jun 30, 2022
No need to shutoff the flame on the frig when refilling.

If you live down south you know that many homes have the gas hot water heater in the garage mounted on an 18" platform above the floor per building codes. Code officials figure you'd likely store gasoline in the garage( and the fumes sink to the ground) so that's why the heater is elevated. Your RV Frig is likely 3 feet or more off the floor and your outdoors so there is zero risk.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Jun 30, 2022
Other than when fueling or in a tunnel where I'm requested to turn the propane off, it is always "on."
valhalla360
Navigator
Jun 30, 2022
time2roll wrote:
valhalla360 wrote:
Of course, if that's the case, it has a ventilation system so the heavier than air CO2 doesn't build up...not to mention vehicles cruising at 30-60mph will move a surprising amount of air.

Mostly, it's a CYA.
I think it is caution for if there is a wreck. All traffic could be stopped and blocked with propane leaking.

In other words, CYA (Cover Your A*&)

There could also be a blockage and a gas tank leaking but we don't shut off the fuel line before going into a tunnel...and it won't matter if the tank is damaged anyway.
toedtoes
Explorer III
Jun 30, 2022
dedmiston wrote:

It's not the same, but pretty close.

Actually, it's not anywhere being close.

The mattress/pillow tags are to tell the seller that they cannot remove the tags by law - because the consumer/buyer has a legal right to know the information on those tags. The buyer can cut off the tags because they have already bought it.

The Danger warning is a CYA notice. It is similar to the "Warning: the ingredients in this item are known to cause cancer" notices on products.

Does it mean you WILL get cancer/blow up? No. But there is a risk factor that is greater than a placebo effect.

I will run with my trailer fridge on propane. I don't with my motorhome. Because my motorhome is 47 years old and everything is much closer together. My motorhome fridge also holds in the cold for hours while turned off.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Jun 30, 2022
4 pages in a day!
Camping must be slow this week!
bikendan
Explorer
Jun 30, 2022
Have been traveling with the fridge on propane for the past 30 years, with 4 different trailers.
Do leave it on electric during the night before and switch to propane when we leave.