Today I had an experience that should make you think twice about leaving a propane Refrigerator running while fueling.I was at a Sam's Club when the car next to me had a large hole develop in the gas line between the pump and the car.The lady pumping the gas did not know what to do. The attendant noticed the problem when the lady started yelling and shut things down.But before he got it shut down there was gasoline all over everything and possibly a couple gallons on the ground.There was a very strong gas smell many yards from the accident.

That sounds like it would have been a pretty dangerous situation. Though also kind of an isolated incident. I would be more worried about all the sparks that occur with the starter and alternator in every single car in the station before I worried about an RV refrigerator that is a few feet higher in the air than everything else.

I shut ours off every time we fuel. back in the old days I seen the after math of a SOHIO gas station go up in flames.

Turn my RV Fridge OFF when Gassing up. Only gonna be there a couple of minutes ~~ Not gonna lose much COLD.JM2¢ ~~ YMMV

Always safer to turn the fridge off.

Running your propane Refrigerators while fueling?

Turtle_n_Peeps
Explorer
Jul 20, 2019
RCMAN46 wrote:
I was at a Sam's Club when the car next to me had a large hole develop in the gas line between the pump and the car.

But before he got it shut down there was gasoline all over everything and possibly a couple gallons on the ground.

There was a very strong gas smell many yards from the accident.

I'm still trying to figure out why a "large hole" developed between the pump and the car?

Just how can that happen? Gas hoses are multi layer hoses. They are extremely well built hoses.

On top of that, there is almost no pressure in the system. The hole in the nozzle is too big to build pressure.

The whole thing sounds suspect to me? :h
JusBud
Explorer
Jul 20, 2019
I leave my truck running why fueling too
I think everyone watching too many Rambo movies
TurnThePage
Explorer
Jul 19, 2019
I'm talking around the Coeur d'Alene area. It is beautiful here! I enjoy it for sure. But I know there's beauty to be had all over this country and am hoping to have a shot at it one of these day. When I do, I'll probably leave the propane on. :)
AlmostAnOldGuy
Explorer
Jul 19, 2019
TurnThePage wrote:
Smoking while fueling seems to be a popular sport here in north Idaho.

Beautiful country. How far north are you talking? Have spent a fair amount of time over the years around Priest River.
Huntindog
Explorer
Jul 19, 2019
rbpru wrote:
If you are old enough to remember when smoking was very popular, filling your car. lawn mower, 5 gallon fuel carboy, chain saw etc. With a cigarette dangling from you mouth was common.

Was it smart? probably not.
Was it safe? probably not.
Did it cause numerous explosions and gas pump fires? No.
Did anyone care or give it a second thought? Not really.

Turning your propane off certainly cannot hurt but most folk do not feel it is an issue.
Fast forward to today.
You are not supposed to use a cell phone around a gas pump...
Everyone does it.
They must have seen the Mythbusters show where they tried to create an explosion with a cell phone and gas.
rbpru
Explorer II
Jul 19, 2019
If you are old enough to remember when smoking was very popular, filling your car. lawn mower, 5 gallon fuel carboy, chain saw etc. With a cigarette dangling from you mouth was common.

Was it smart? probably not.
Was it safe? probably not.
Did it cause numerous explosions and gas pump fires? No.
Did anyone care or give it a second thought? Not really.

Turning your propane off certainly cannot hurt but most folk do not feel it is an issue.
Huntindog
Explorer
Jul 19, 2019
So I have been thinking:
I am on the road in a unfamalier location. I need fuel. I am looking for an station that is easy in and out, and able to accomodate my large lashup. (36'+ my longbed crew cab) I see one, but cannot pull in, as I gotta find a safe place with easy access and probably a turnaround, so I can turn off the propane. That could take some time and miles to find. Then after accomplishing that, I can go back to the station and refuel... And now I have to stop again at a safe place to turn the propane back on. IF I AM LUCKY, I may be able to use the same place I turned it off at.... But that may mot be possible for a variety of reasons. This simple refueling process could take an hour or more.. Sounds like fun.
paddywanpeep
Explorer
Jul 19, 2019
People will keep doing what they have been doing and I doubt that anything on this forum will change that. You have to decide for yourself what you want to do to feel comfortable with.
TurnThePage
Explorer
Jul 19, 2019
Smoking while fueling seems to be a popular sport here in north Idaho.
AlmostAnOldGuy
Explorer
Jul 19, 2019
I pumped gas and drove tow trucks for awhile and I saw a couple accidental spills and gas vapor formed rapidly.

Would you smoke a cigarette while pumping gas? Why would you think it is okay to have a fridge burning propane? The probability of a spill and accident is low, but leaving the fridge on puts others at risk. I would encourage folks to please take a moment and shut it down when fueling.

Take it easy,
Stu