rickst29 wrote:
A lot of people do that. But the theory behind the sale of "3-way" RV fridge products involves a safety risk: The concept of an open flame is a bit like smoking at a gas station. Other people are refeuling (and perhaps spilling over their lawn-mower gas cans) somewhat near your open-to-the air burner; the fumes could create a fire. Some tunnel operators have a similar issue with the possibility of starting a fire after a gas-tank crushing accident. (Fuel spills on the roadway and doesn't dissipate within the closed environment - you add flame, and BOOM!)
Propane mode Fridge "burners" are never going to be caught on the road in motion - you would need to be pulled and stopped for something else before any "official" could even detect the issue. And whether they have actual laws against this is another question. But risk of igniting spilled gas is the concept behind the products - it's NOT about "blowing up" your own propane tanks.
It would take a massive spill to have gasoline vapors rise high enough to be ignited by a refrigerator "flame". Gasoline vapors run along the ground like a shallow river, seeking low spots. Yes, this could be an issue in a tunnel but in the wide open spaces? I think not.
While not recommended, I have seen people stand next to vehicles that are being fueled and smoking. You can see their cigarette handing from their lips and the "river" of gasoline vapor falling like a waterfall from their gas spout.
I like to shut down the refrigerator while fueling but I'd bet that darn few people actually do.
BTW, look at how high your gas water heater is mounted above the garage floor. More than enough to escape gas vapors that flow along the garage floor when released from your non-emission controlled hot rod's gas tank.
