Community Forums

Capecodx20e · 05-29-2011, 08:49 AM

The dealership where we bought our travel trailer said we should plug in the trailer at home to chill the fridge, then switch to propane when we are hauling until we get to our campsite. This surprised us - driving with the propane running? Isn't this dangerous?

Larry & Rita · 05-29-2011, 09:11 AM

Unless the pilot light is shielded against the 60 mph wind, the general thoughts on iRV2 are "Not smart" because the light keeps blowing out and relighting.
I thought about this with my class A and never turned it out, but I only travel 4 to 5 hours at a time and no one opens the ref. I'm starting to think it may be better on the igniter by causing less wear and tare. (Made since to me).

wkdwitch · 05-29-2011, 09:17 AM

Unless you are comfortable with it on, or traveling in extreme heat, or for long distances then leave it off. But we have traveled with our fridge on thru 4 units of various types from slide-in truck campers thru TT and now a Moho with no problems. Given the current fire scares I would worry more about the overheating from excessive running to play catch up on arrival. To each her own.

Cat320 · 05-29-2011, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capecodx20e

The dealership where we bought our travel trailer said we should plug in the trailer at home to chill the fridge, then switch to propane when we are hauling until we get to our campsite. This surprised us - driving with the propane running? Isn't this dangerous?

Your dealer is exactly correct and the way we have been doing it for years in all kinds of RVs. That's how it is designed to work, and, unless you have a generator (and want to run it for hours on end), the only way to cool your refrig.

Stillwater · 05-29-2011, 03:13 PM

We always run the fridge on propane when travelling. Keeps the fridge at the proper temp rather than it having to work overtime to catch up when you arrive. The only time it gets turned off is when we go on to a ferry and they ask to turn off all appliances.

njs42 · 05-29-2011, 04:54 PM

Ours is designed to run that way---it does, never a problem nine years running. I really suspect your is as well. MAke sure you turn it off when filling with gas---at least that is what we do in the MH. And then if you are like us we have to remind each other to turn it back on when we leave the station.

wa8yxm · 05-29-2011, 06:05 PM

I have heard arguments against Driving with propane on

First: "The piolet light may blow out" and if it does the safety flame sensor interlock will turn off the gas, completly... These things are about as fool proof as it gets.. They do fail but every one I've seen fail (And it's been a bunch in 50 years of using gas appliances) has "Failed safe" (Meaning it shut off gas when it should not have)

Modern fridges use DSI (Direct Spark Ignition, don't have a pilot light. THEY DO, however, have safety flame detectors that work just like the old ones,, All too well.

Now.. Consider this: You are on your way to a rally, behind you is a 200,000 plus motor home same destination.. Your fridge catches fire, Since you are running gas on, He sees the flame,, Does he pull up on your flaming side and sit there till his rig is fully involved... I don't think so.

Perhaps on the other side and point it out to you .

OR;; You listen to the insurance man and run propane off.

Now you get to the rally, you are boondocking so you turn on the fridge, which then (WHile you are at the opening cermonies) catches fire.. Mr 200K is, of course, parked riht next to you like sardines in a can and by the time the Fire Dept makes it's house-trailer call.. Both rigs are fully involved and the ones either side of you are damaged.

Why do I question the wisdom of the insurance advisor?

I do know the insurance company I more or less represent actually LIKES to pay claims.

I also know they do not insure RV's so I'm not trying to sell anyting, (nor will I mention the company)

mhs4771 · 05-29-2011, 08:05 PM

Been traveling with Propane on for years. Dealer we bought our 91 Prowler TT said they perform the best while moving, keeps the fluid moving internally. This can be a heated question, so you have to do what you feel comfortable with.

Arch Hoagland · 05-29-2011, 08:27 PM

Been traveling with the propane refrigerator on for 30 years. No problems encountered.

BigSkyBob · 05-29-2011, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

Been traveling with the propane refrigerator on for 30 years. No problems encountered.

Same here, no problems ... yet.

shortlance · 05-30-2011, 06:29 AM

They are made to run while on the road. To not use it is like not going in an airplane because one had a problem and didn't stay in the air and crashed.

IC2 · 05-30-2011, 06:38 AM

I've been running the reefer in whatever kind of RV we might have at the time while driving since at least 1976. Only once many years back can I recall having a standing pilot light blow out - and now since they don't have one, even less problem. If I'm only going to be on the road a couple hours, I might not bother with propane and just go from one electric plug in to the next.

hardy1000 · 05-30-2011, 06:50 AM

I have always traveled with propane on and never a problem.

Arch Hoagland · 05-30-2011, 11:25 PM

I take back my statement. I did have a problem once.

On our first trip around the United States I went to a truck wash on I95 where they had a team of guys with pressure washers. They must have blasted into my refrigerator compartment because the refrigerator wouldn't run on gas for two days.

I have never gone into a truck wash since then and I never will.