Leave propane on while driving?

[Skyfarmer]

Our normal practice has been to leave our propane on while driving to keep the refrigerator cold and hot water hot, but I know that can be risky. What do you recommend? Thanks, Lee

[Grit_dog]

mlpeloquin wrote:
That is why I made sure to have a stick and brick refrigerator in my motor home. It cools much better than the gas/electric in the slide of the old fifth wheel and does not have to be turned off while filling up. When gas/electric refrigerators are not in a slide, they do a much better job staying cold in the heat.

This makes absolutely no sense unless you have your 5ver rigged with some serious batteries, large inverter and super charging capacity. Or am I missing something? How do you keep the "sticks n bricks" fridge running all day long while toodeling down the road?

[Grit_dog]

opnspaces wrote:
Maybe it's because I live in California and we have required vapor recovery at the nozzles. But I can't remember the last time I smelled gasoline at a gas station. Here's my thoughts on why I'm not concerned about running the refrigerator when refueling the tow vehicle.

There are no spills because we have automatic shutoff nozzles on the fuel pumps. If the nozzle falls out of the fill pipe the nozzle immediately shuts off.

Both the water heater and the refrigerator are at the same height or higher than the hood on 99% of the vehicles on the road.
Cars and trucks have Starters and alternators that spark when in operation.

Heck I've noticed in colder areas of the country that people leave their engines running when fueling. If we're not concerned about this then why would we be concerned about a pilot light 3 feet in the air?

While I agree with you and don't believe there is any issue with running with propane on, if you think all gasoline nozzles have vapor recovery and auto shut off on the nozzle and that a running engine poses the same ignition risk as an open flame, you are quite mistaken.

[mlpeloquin]

That is why I made sure to have a stick and brick refrigerator in my motor home. It cools much better than the gas/electric in the slide of the old fifth wheel and does not have to be turned off while filling up. When gas/electric refrigerators are not in a slide, they do a much better job staying cold in the heat.

[Mike134]

With sadly 20,000+ killed on the highways every year, your 1000x more likely to die in a plain old crash, than going up in a spectacular ball of flame from your propane frig running while you drive/refill the gas tank.

[opnspaces]

Maybe it's because I live in California and we have required vapor recovery at the nozzles. But I can't remember the last time I smelled gasoline at a gas station. Here's my thoughts on why I'm not concerned about running the refrigerator when refueling the tow vehicle.

There are no spills because we have automatic shutoff nozzles on the fuel pumps. If the nozzle falls out of the fill pipe the nozzle immediately shuts off.

Both the water heater and the refrigerator are at the same height or higher than the hood on 99% of the vehicles on the road.
Cars and trucks have Starters and alternators that spark when in operation.

Heck I've noticed in colder areas of the country that people leave their engines running when fueling. If we're not concerned about this then why would we be concerned about a pilot light 3 feet in the air?

[my440]

If your involved in an accident and smell propane from a ruptured line, your unable or a passenger is unable to free themselves that question may be answered in no time at all.

[DrewE]

jdc1 wrote:
LOL. This again? I'm 65 years old. I have never seen an explosion in a gas station caused by an RV refrigerator pilot flame. How many have ACTUALLY seen the this happen? Cell phones too?

I've never seen a fire of any sort at a gas station, but that doesn't mean they don't happen, or that taking reasonable precautions (and ones required by law in most places, such as extinguishing open flames like the fridge burner and shutting down the engine(s) and not smoking) are silly or ill-advised. I can only assume fires would be a little more common if fewer people obeyed these rules.

[ReneeG]

We don't for safety purposes and never having to remember to shut the propane off when refueling. Fortunately we have a solar setup and set the fridge to run off the inverter when we are on the road.

[jdc1]

LOL. This again? I'm 65 years old. I have never seen an explosion in a gas station caused by an RV refrigerator pilot flame. How many have ACTUALLY seen the this happen? Cell phones too?

[Mike134]

MDKMDK wrote:

Mike134 wrote:

MDKMDK wrote:
Not a good idea, particularly when refueling. I wouldn't do it, but many do, and that's why I try to avoid refueling when there's another RV/motorhome at a nearby pump island. I'm never in that much of a hurry.

https://rvlife.com/rv-propane-system-explode/

https://www.saanichnews.com/news/exploding-camper-van-torches-highway-4-gas-station-between-qualicum...



https://www.api.org/oil-and-natural-gas/consumer-information/consumer-resources/staying-safe-pump

https://heartlandowners.org/threads/rv-fire-at-a-gas-station.15213/

HMMMM building codes allow gas hot water heaters in garages provided they are at least 18" above the garage floor. I'm guessing they think there might be gas fumes or gasoline stored in the garage. Just an FYI before all the internet horror stories start.

HMMMM, what do building codes about water heaters in garages (btw, they're water heaters, not "hot water heaters". If the water is already hot, it doesn't need to be heated) have to do with refueling at a gas/fuel stop, with active ignition sources in your vehicle(s)? Take your time, I'll wait. :C

Read the post following yours to help you understand.

Safe travels. Don't wait I passed you a long time ago.

[valhalla360]

time2roll wrote:

Mike134 wrote:
HMMMM building codes allow gas hot water heaters in garages provided they are at least 18" above the garage floor. I'm guessing they think there might be gas fumes or gasoline stored in the garage. Just an FYI before all the internet horror stories start.

+1

Just be careful when refueling in an enclosed and unvented space. And put the fuel in the tank without directly spraying the fridge or water heater vent 😉

This.

We don't turn it off while driving and typically fill up while the trailer is in a camp site.

[2112]

MDKMDK wrote:

Mike134 wrote:

MDKMDK wrote:
Not a good idea, particularly when refueling. I wouldn't do it, but many do, and that's why I try to avoid refueling when there's another RV/motorhome at a nearby pump island. I'm never in that much of a hurry.

https://rvlife.com/rv-propane-system-explode/

https://www.saanichnews.com/news/exploding-camper-van-torches-highway-4-gas-station-between-qualicum...

https://www.api.org/oil-and-natural-gas/consumer-information/consumer-resources/staying-safe-pump

https://heartlandowners.org/threads/rv-fire-at-a-gas-station.15213/

HMMMM building codes allow gas hot water heaters in garages provided they are at least 18" above the garage floor. I'm guessing they think there might be gas fumes or gasoline stored in the garage. Just an FYI before all the internet horror stories start.

HMMMM, what do building codes about water heaters in garages (btw, they're water heaters, not "hot water heaters". If the water is already hot, it doesn't need to be heated) have to do with refueling at a gas/fuel stop, with active ignition sources in your vehicle(s)? Take your time, I'll wait. :C

I believe his point is gas vapor is heavier than air and tends to stay low to the ground. A home water heater has to be above 18" in a somewhat confined space to reduce an ignition source. Most RV fridge ignition sources are 36" or higher in open air. The chance of an amount of gas vapor large enough to ignite reaching your fridge at an open air, outdoor gas station is extremely small. Just because you can smell gas doesn't mean it's at a large enough concentration to burn.

My house water heater is inside the house, not in the garage, and still has to be at least 18" off the floor with an adequate drain pan under it to meet code.

As far as traveling with the propane and fridge on, think about it. If it was a true hazard DOT would outlaw it. It's already outlawed in certain conditions such as traveling through a tunnel or on a ferry. The rapid release valve on the tank should shut off if my gas line breaks. If DOT doesn't see it as a hazard, why should I?

[MDKMDK]

Mike134 wrote:

MDKMDK wrote:
Not a good idea, particularly when refueling. I wouldn't do it, but many do, and that's why I try to avoid refueling when there's another RV/motorhome at a nearby pump island. I'm never in that much of a hurry.

https://rvlife.com/rv-propane-system-explode/

https://www.saanichnews.com/news/exploding-camper-van-torches-highway-4-gas-station-between-qualicum...

https://www.api.org/oil-and-natural-gas/consumer-information/consumer-resources/staying-safe-pump

https://heartlandowners.org/threads/rv-fire-at-a-gas-station.15213/

HMMMM building codes allow gas hot water heaters in garages provided they are at least 18" above the garage floor. I'm guessing they think there might be gas fumes or gasoline stored in the garage. Just an FYI before all the internet horror stories start.

HMMMM, what do building codes about water heaters in garages (btw, they're water heaters, not "hot water heaters". If the water is already hot, it doesn't need to be heated) have to do with refueling at a gas/fuel stop, with active ignition sources in your vehicle(s)? Take your time, I'll wait. :C

[1320Fastback]

Mine stays on 24/7/365.

[time2roll]

Mike134 wrote:
HMMMM building codes allow gas hot water heaters in garages provided they are at least 18" above the garage floor. I'm guessing they think there might be gas fumes or gasoline stored in the garage. Just an FYI before all the internet horror stories start.

+1

Just be careful when refueling in an enclosed and unvented space. And put the fuel in the tank without directly spraying the fridge or water heater vent 😉