I know that if the refrigerator is pre-cooled and loaded prior to departure and frozen ice blocks we should be good for a while. However we are planning a trip this summer from Oregon to Kanab UT. We will probably stay in Salt Lake City the first night. I am concerned about the temp rising to high before we get to Salt Lake. What we have done in the past is stop half way turn on the fridge using the propane stetting and then turning the fridge and propane off before we head out again. I haven't been able and not sure if the fridge will operate off of battery power when plugged into the tow vehicle? Is there an easier way, have I missed something?

Leave it on. Thats what most of us do.

Your fridge on propane will run off of trailer battery......trailer to truck cord will supply charge power to trailer battery (if it's a 7 pin connector)The fridge will operate on propane while traveling...using very little 12V DC power from battery. When parked.....operate fridge only with trailer leveled so as not to damage it.While traveling level operation is not a concern....just when stationary.Turn off fridge prior to refueling as a safety precaution.....debate on need will be argued. I don't but that's me.

Leave it on auto and it will run on propane - that's what its designed to do.Have a great trip.

If fully cold in the morning it should keep the food cool all day in hottest of days, even if turned off. You can freeze a couple of milk cartons before leaving if you want.We turn ours off while driving (propane off at the tanks). We have never had any problems with frozen food thawing in one day in mid summer.

Keeping things cold in the RV refrigerator while traveling?

Ron3rd
Explorer III
Feb 18, 2014
We never turn ours off when traveling or re-fueling. It's so far away from the pump I don't see a problem. Our fridge is on the opposite side of the pumps. Plus, I would never remember to turn it off anyway. Leave it on IMO.
Deb_and_Ed_M
Explorer II
Feb 17, 2014
Having JUST had an accident where a skidding semi trailer side-swiped our truck (thank God, it ONLY took out the left rear-view mirror) - Ed and I both agreed we are more comfortable with the thought that the gas is shut off. If the truck that lost control had hit the brakes 2 seconds sooner, he could have wiped out the entire side of the 5er and truck, including the poorly-protected propane storage bay.

And quite frankly, since our 5er and Class C are both the same age, I don't have a secure feeling about Dometic's slap-dash recall "fix" to prevent refrigerator fires....
Smoke90
Explorer
Feb 17, 2014
prolandsurveyor wrote:
I ran mine on propane for years going down the road, until it caught my camper on fire last Easter.

are you kidding?
are you sure this is what causes the fire?
prolandsurveyor
Explorer
Feb 16, 2014
I ran mine on propane for years going down the road, until it caught my camper on fire last Easter.
tenbear
Explorer
Feb 15, 2014
Use it the way it is designed to be used, leave it on.
stickdog
Explorer
Feb 15, 2014
srx-6 wrote:
2012Coleman wrote:
Campinghoss@51 wrote:
Leave it on. As far as cutting it off when refueling that is up to you. Personally I can't see the difference in someone leaving it on while refueling and the guy next to you smoking.
Have to agree. Besides, the gas gets put in on the opposite of where the fridge is and is at least 20 feet away.

But what about the fella in the lane next to you that is 2 feet away from your fridge vent and on his phone not paying attention and over fills his tank? Just saying could happen.

The guy is toast and insurance buys me a new rig.
dcason
Explorer
Feb 14, 2014
We turn it on a couple days before to chill up, fill it and then leave it on to chill while we travel.

When travelling in our 25 foot class c, we do turn off the refrig
while we are at the gas pumps....
with our travel trail we don't bother as it is further away from pumps.
Amos59
Explorer
Feb 14, 2014
Thank you all very much for the advice, we also have put the blue ice pouches in the freezer and refrigerator to prolong the cooling effect. Happy Trails to you all.
Us_out_West
Explorer
Feb 13, 2014
We have the refer in 'auto' and when we travel it's running on propane.

Don't have the room to do all the tricks with bowls and things trying to keep it cold.

Whatever works for though for you....
Deb_and_Ed_M
Explorer II
Feb 13, 2014
dave54 wrote:
If fully cold in the morning it should keep the food cool all day in hottest of days, even if turned off. You can freeze a couple of milk cartons before leaving if you want.

We turn ours off while driving (propane off at the tanks). We have never had any problems with frozen food thawing in one day in mid summer.

Same for us. I have a big Tupperware container filled with water that I put in the freezer at night, then I set it on the highest shelf in the fridge as we go to leave.