Propane

[Fishhunter]

Tried searching but didn't come up with anything. My question ..is it safe to leave the propane on to run the fridge while driving, just had a long time RV'er tell me to always turn it off.

[3_tons]

Propane by design is fairly safe - an odorant called a mercaptan is injected into it to give it a rotten egg smell for leak detection (same with natural gas), and the tanks are fitted with excess flow checks that will automatically stop the flow if a line is severed. However, to work properly, this feature requires that the valves not be restricted, meaning they should be left wide open so that the checks will function. The main concern when fueling is the open flame in the event of a gasoline spillage....

3 tons

[deltabravo]

Fishhunter wrote:
Tried searching but didn't come up with anything.

There's threads on it (hundreds), mostly in the travel trailer forum.

I usually travel with the fridge running on propane.

Sometimes I turn it off and run the inverter to provide AC power to fridge, but only because I have a heavy duty charge line. (4 AWG).

[Old-Biscuit]

Fishhunter wrote:
Now that's out of the way...how bout the furnace?

SAME......

It runs off propane and dc power.

As long as air flow is not blocked (return air and/or floor registers) then it is a non issue

Blocked air flow can cause overheating.....overheating will cause it to shut down

[Fishhunter]

Now that's out of the way...how bout the furnace?

[skipbee]

We have operated over the road with the propane option for the fridge for the past 12 years and 100,000 miles without any problems.

[covered_wagon]

I was sick from a propane leak and the brand new alarm did not sound off. PLEASE CHeck your propane system. Mine being 13-14 yrs old had a cracked washer inside the plastic tank connection knob causing the male pressure fit connector inside the knob to be loose. Make sur none of the hoses are loose after connecting the tank(s)

I could have had a disaster.

[DutchmenSport]

Lots and lots and lots of posts in the past on this subject in every forum category on RV.net. And I don't think there has ever been a general conclusion. There are those who do, and there are those who do not. Each person stating their opinion is very adamant about their own personal choice (and I am too).

There has been debate "out the wazzoo" about the safety factor, fueling at gas stations, and how long the refer still stay cold without being turned on.

The bottom line is, (as far as I've can tell), no one has "personally" had any mishaps or problems leaving the propane on or the refrigerator running when traveling. There have been lots of folks saying that someone else said ....

Documentation? Positive proof? There just isn't any, except maybe a single freak accident in the past.

Experts? Well, if you search the internet, you'll suggestions from all over and from all kinds of sources saying it's not a good idea, but still are not able to provide clear cut examples or some kind of documentation stating such.

In the end ... is YOUR choice.

Mechanically? Yes! you can run your propane and refrigerator when traveling. They are designed to do so.

Jesus never called anyone a "sinner".... did you know that? He did refer to the decisions people make as being "wise" or "not wise". I like that a lot better too! So the answer to your question rests in your own "wisdom." The choice is yours.

[Old-Biscuit]

Our fridge has been ON since NOV 2006 except for those few incidents where not allowed (tunnels/ferries) and when defrosting

Fridge is designed to be operated while in transit....so I do cause I like food to stay cold that is suppose to be cold and my beverages COLD.

[Cloughfam]

I know at most tunnels ( Igo through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge tunnel every couple of years you're instructed to pull over and turn your propane off, you can then restart once you're through the tunnel. Other than that if its a long drive I leave mine on.

[mellow]

While driving I turn my tanks off, but then again I am not going long distance to the places where I camp, usually within an hour or two drive then I turn them back on. I have an older camper, I don't trust it 100%, with a newer camper I would roll with it on no problem, set it to auto dc/propane and go.

[Bedlam]

I shut down the LPG appliances while refueling gasoline or where restricted (ferries and tunnels), otherwise we run the propane while driving and will even kick on the heater in the winter to prevent freezing.

[jmckelvy]

Vinsil wrote:
Always leave mine on, have for the past 15 years with all my RV's.

X2

Surprised you didn't find anything on a search. This topic ranks right up there with overnighting at Walmart for "responses".

[Fishhunter]

Thanks, it will stay on.

[WNYBob]

When I had my TC I read not to travel with the propane turned on. They stated if it was on and you have a crash you could have leaks anywhere along the piping, and the possibility of fire. If off at the tank only one leak potential. Reasoning seemed solid.

Now with my TT they all say leave it on.

The DW loves ice cream so I leave the fridge on propane.

Wife happy life is good!