So we just purchased a Wildwood that has a 12 volt fridge previously we only had gas/electric small one. My question is the book says don't travel with food in it. Really?? This can't be what everyone does. How do you travel with the fridge running without the risk of draining the truck battery at meal stops? We do have a small solar system that came with the trailer but that is all new to us too. Thanks for any info! Been watching some videos but now I just more confused than before as to what is the best way to do it. Our trailer will be unplugged the entire night before we leave an I'm afraid to put any food in it!

I imagine the book is saying to not travel with food in it because it could drain the battery and thaw out and spoil the food.If you only have a single battery on the trailer I would travel with it on. But if I'm going to be at a rest stop for more than an hour I would probably unplug or turn it off to save the battery state of charge. The catch is you have to remember to turn it back on before you get back on the road or you're in paragraph 1 again with possibility of spoiled food.The small solar panel on the trailer really only slowly tops up the battery in storage. I wouldn't count on it being any use with the refrigerator.

With the refer off and cold test to see if it's still cold in 2 hours, many will be. Overnight maybe to long. If the truck charge line doesn't disconnect with the engine off then add a relay. Now you know your needs. The best answer is to measure the RV drain (which may include more that the refer) to determine a course of action. More batteries is likely the best solution since solar doesn't work at night. Also guessing you have a small solar setup that is mainly for storage to maintain the battery. Guessing you have a single 12V car or marine battery, hence about 90 AH. 2 GCs would provide about 220 AH. Additional batteries can be in the truck bed.

Lol, waiting for the “LP absorption fridges are stupid” crowd to show up and share their “wisdom”. Although you’ll probably get advice like if you buy a Rivian or Lightning to pull it, or install some LiFePO4 and SiO2 batteries and 10,000w of solar and a dc dc charger you’ll be just fine and that’s soooo much better and simpler than a bottle of propane! Hahaha

Oreo nut. I feel bad you were duped into this “new” technology. My response above was not directed at you whatsoever. But at this point, even if your new camper has 2 rv dealer Walmart special batteries in it, you will have to watch how much you’re draining the batteries closely. Effectively taking away from the convenience and ease of old 2 way or 3 way absorption refrigerators. Imo best move now, short of returning the camper or changing the fridge, is get ya some decent battery reserve capacity and maybe put a dc dc charger on the truck to keep ‘em up during travel.You could always run a generator in the back of the truck and duck tape the power cord to the camper as well. If you don’t do something you will probably need to babysit the fridge during all them extended periods when it can’t be hooked to shore power. Sorry to hear of your troubles.

How long is a meal stop? A Dimetic 8cu foot 12v fridge pulls about 13 amps. Even if you only have one little G24 battery it should run for several hours continuously. And, it shouldn't be running continuously. Get an extra battery if you're worried.Unplug the trailer cord from the truck if you have a GM vehicle as their 12v pin stays on all the time. I'm nkt sure on the other makes.

Refrigerator Question | Good Sam Community

Grit_dog
Navigator
Apr 21, 2023
Lol, waiting for the “LP absorption fridges are stupid” crowd to show up and share their “wisdom”.
Although you’ll probably get advice like if you buy a Rivian or Lightning to pull it, or install some LiFePO4 and SiO2 batteries and 10,000w of solar and a dc dc charger you’ll be just fine and that’s soooo much better and simpler than a bottle of propane! Hahaha
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Apr 21, 2023
With the refer off and cold test to see if it's still cold in 2 hours, many will be. Overnight maybe to long. If the truck charge line doesn't disconnect with the engine off then add a relay. Now you know your needs.

The best answer is to measure the RV drain (which may include more that the refer) to determine a course of action. More batteries is likely the best solution since solar doesn't work at night. Also guessing you have a small solar setup that is mainly for storage to maintain the battery.

Guessing you have a single 12V car or marine battery, hence about 90 AH. 2 GCs would provide about 220 AH. Additional batteries can be in the truck bed.
opnspaces
Navigator II
Apr 21, 2023
I imagine the book is saying to not travel with food in it because it could drain the battery and thaw out and spoil the food.

If you only have a single battery on the trailer I would travel with it on. But if I'm going to be at a rest stop for more than an hour I would probably unplug or turn it off to save the battery state of charge. The catch is you have to remember to turn it back on before you get back on the road or you're in paragraph 1 again with possibility of spoiled food.

The small solar panel on the trailer really only slowly tops up the battery in storage. I wouldn't count on it being any use with the refrigerator.

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