OK, I tried a bunch of different ways to search for threads on the need or no need to shut off the refrigerator when running on propane while filling up the vehicle at the gas station. I am about to take a 3000 mile round trip with my small 19' KZ Sportsmen travel trailer and will want to have the frig stocked and cold the whole time traveling. So, it will be using propane while in transit. So, you can guess what my question is and I am sure it has been asked and hashed out a million times on this forum but I can't find any threads on it.So, here is the question:Is it necessary to shut down the refrigerator when stopping to fill up the truck with gas?If so, can I just shut it off on the frig control panel or do I have to shut off the propane tank valve too.Or, am I perfectly fine to stop, pump my truck full of gas and not worry about the frig at all?Seriously, when was the last time anyone has heard of a travel trailer blowing up a gas station?Thanks all.Bruce

Shutting off the control board will be sufficient. It will extinguish the flame so there's no source of ignition. I never shut mine off but then I have a diesel truck. Also, my fuel fill is on the opposite side from the ref.I've seen so many people smoking around gas pumps I just have a hard time being that worried about it.

HMMM, I never thought of that but my frig is on the opposite side from my fuel port as well. thanks.I understand the diesel isn't as volatile as gas, but someone around you might be pumping gas...but I get your drift.

I'm fortunate to have the three mode fridge in my setup Propane-Electric-Battery.I usually just leave it all off until we get pretty close to the camp ground. Then I will set it run from the battery.Fridge does pretty good keeping what things we have it if you don't ever open the door. I usually have a jug of frozen water in it all the time as well...Roy Ken

Please no flames near gasoline.

The safest approach is to get the flame turned off before you pull up to the station. And I do mean that!The safest approach for my current rig is to turn off the flame before I pull up to the diesel pumps. But my justification is that diesel is much harder to ignite. So there I am with the refer running and diesel truck engines running all around me. Well I do turn off the engine when diesel fueling. My choice - yours?BTW I'm not sure I always turned off the propane in my gas rigs.

Refrigerator on Propane and stopping for Gas | Good Sam Community

danimal53
Explorer
Jul 24, 2015
i hadn't even thought of it. but of the few examples of a fire starting, it seems it was smaller motorhomes with the fridge pretty close to the gas tank. mine is on the opposite side and i dont think i'll start shutting it off
JohnDoe
Explorer
Jul 24, 2015
I have towed about 50000 miles and never turned mine off due to the camper being so far from the pump, I pull my truck up just close enough to fill it so the Refrigerator is a long ways from the pump.
Timtation
Explorer
Jul 24, 2015
It took introduction of unleaded gas to generate interest in adding "NO SMOKING WHILE FUELING" signs around 1974. The real concern then was dropping the butt on the ground and putting it out by stepping on it. This put the butt in the proximity of vapors and the butthead in the vicinity of the potential problem.
Figure the height of the highest jacked up truck pulling a camper to have a fuel filler at 4' and the lowest at 2' then estimate the level of the frig burner at a major distance to the rear of the fuel filler. I am not even concerned about water heater being on, which is not during travel. Best chance of lighting up the locale would be if there was a second filler near the trailer and someone with a pickup had 55gallon drums being filled next to my fridge or my previously smoking self. They let you drive your trailer through most tunnels without these concerns in a confined space.
seaeagle2
Explorer
Jul 24, 2015
I'll just throw this out there. In a residential garage any source of ignition ie water heater pilot, furnace has to be 18" off the floor because gasoline fumes are heavier than air so if your pilot is 18" off the floor ....
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Jul 24, 2015
No
samsontdog
Explorer
Jul 23, 2015
I have never turned off propane in the 50 years of towing
Nvr2loud
Explorer II
Jul 23, 2015
RCMAN46 wrote:
Well does happen and the end result is not good.

RV fire

About 20 years ago I witnessed a similar fire at a gas station in central Utah.

Since then I have never pulled into a gas station with any propane appliances on.

There is a BIG difference between a standing pilot, within easy range of the gasoline, then a fridge halfway back or further on the trailer. A starting car engine is closer to the pumps and is nearly equal the hazard then the fridge typically.
Nvr2loud
Explorer II
Jul 23, 2015
D.E.Bishop wrote:
I' guess that I'm lucky, I have three ways to turn off the propane to the fridge and use the simple on. I shut off the solenoid controlled by the propane detector and then just relight the fridge because my DW can hear it clicking if I forget to relight.

I have to agree that there are those that don't and those that use common sense.

That clicking is the spark plug / rod and is just as dangerous at a gas station as a pilot flame.
time2roll
Nomad
Jul 23, 2015
Mine stays running on propane.
D_E_Bishop
Explorer
Jul 23, 2015
I' guess that I'm lucky, I have three ways to turn off the propane to the fridge and use the simple on. I shut off the solenoid controlled by the propane detector and then just relight the fridge because my DW can hear it clicking if I forget to relight.

I have to agree that there are those that don't and those that use common sense.