Keeping things cold in the RV refrigerator while traveling?

[Amos59]

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?

[srx-6]

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.

[2012Coleman]

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.

[Campinghoss]

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.

[Red-Rover]

A dozen years ago, when I started RV'ing, I pondered this same question. Turn refrigerator off while traveling, or leave on. I admit that a vented gas flame,contained in a little galvanized sheet metal enclosure, hurling down the highway at 60 MPH was of a concern to me. I even rehearsed in my mind how to do an emergency unhook on the roadside when the I looked in the rear view mirror and saw the trailer blazing.
Alas, that was about 60,000 miles ago and I have never had a problem letting it run.One of the deciding factors was a grouchy wife when the ice cream got soft.

[path1]

We never had a problem with starting the freezer a couple days before we leave to get it cold and load it up and shut it off before traveling.

[owenssailor]

as per above, leave it on auto. Ours has been on since Nov. and has travelled 3800 miles.

[wbwood]

Leave it on as most others stated. You will want to turn it off before pulling up next to a pump though and I believe many if not most tunnels (of a significant length) post for you to turn it off.

[outdoorlovers]

We always have ours on while going down the road. Never had a problem. Make it easy on yourself. Turn on the propnae and forget about it.

[doxiemom11]

We leave ours off while traveling except, when we stop for a lunch break we turn it on propane. We are usually stopped for 1/2 hr - 1 hr. We have never had a problem with the frig or freezer getting too warm. I do keep a thermometer in each and can check the temps when we stop.

[azdryheat]

Fridge will run for months on propane as it draws very little gas. Turn it on and let it run. Mine runs on propane on the road then automatically switches to shore power when connected. When parked at the house, in between trips, we keep the fridge running.

[dave54]

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.

[ScottG]

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

[Old-Biscuit]

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.

[K_Charles]

Leave it on

[donn0128]

Leave it on. Thats what most of us do.