Refer on propane

[Elkhartjim]

Was reading today in the FMCA mag and one of their advertisers, GMAC Insurance, stated that the number two reason for rving mishaps is due to driving with the refer on the propane setting.

I guess we either need to run the genset or pull a really long extension cord.

Comments?

[Gotta_P]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elkhartjim Was reading today in the FMCA mag and one of their advertisers, GMAC Insurance, stated that the number two reason for rving mishaps is due to driving with the refer on the propane setting. I guess we either need to run the genset or pull a really long extension cord. Comments?

I thought that's why the refer had the ability to run on propane so that you could run it while on the road! I know you are supposed to shut it off when you're fueling, or going through a tunnel, but other than that I thought it was made to run on propane while driving... Do they state any specific reason for the mishaps while driving?

[dajudge]

I have been rving since 1974 and always travel with the refer on gas. It would be silly to have a refer that operates on propane and not use it. It cost enough to run the mh on gas without running the gen set all the time.

[FleetMan]

Insurance company CYA! They claim your refrigerator contents will remain safely refrigerated for the "X" number of hours you are on the road provided the refrigerator door is not opened too many times, similar to not opening the refrigerator or freezer at home during limited electrical power outages.

[Elkhartjim]

Hey guys...don't shoot the messenger. Like Fleetman, I think its a cya by a paid advertiser for FMCA. I also use propane while traveling and have since 1974. Maybe I'll post something on the
FMCA forum and see what happens,

[TXiceman]

Wonder what idiot at FMCA wrote this and where did he get his information?

Ken

[SwampTrash]

This reminded me of a question...I know you are supposed to turn off propane when going through a tunnel also. But it's not like we have many around SW Louisiana, so my question is, is there a place to pull off, right before most tunnels so that you can turn it off or is that just part of planning ahead?

[CoastieSCPO]

We have run with the propane on for as long as we have been RVing. Try to turn it off when going thru a tunnel or fueling. I just read the article that the OP referred to and found it to be just an advertisement for GMAC. This is the kind of stuff that you find in Good Sam's Highways magazine or one of their periodicals. Just mixing a pertinent topic with advertisement income.Talk about CYA! I thought better of FMCA and we have been members for a long time.

Bob

[powerboatr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwampTrash This reminded me of a question...I know you are supposed to turn off propane when going through a tunnel also. But it's not like we have many around SW Louisiana, so my question is, is there a place to pull off, right before most tunnels so that you can turn it off or is that just part of planning ahead?

the tunnel in mobile going under mobile bay doesn't really have any warnings nor a safe place to stop and shut off your propane
however in our mh there is a switch in the cabin to shut off the valve
but i have always driven with the fridge on lp,

[Elkhartjim]

Two replies to my post on the FMCA forum...

A very large part of the equation (risk/reward) is whether you do the annual burner tune-up as outlined in your refrigerator owners manual and perform the proper propane system safety checks on a regular basis (PSI, leaks, frayed hoses, stressed metal lines, etc).

If you do the prescribed Preventive Maintenance, your risk will likely fall within the "very reasonable" range (My OPINION, not a legal recommendation).

Totally ignore the propane and refrigerator maintenance, and your risk WILL be higher.

Since many do not perform needed maintenance, statistical information WILL show higher risk. I do not question the data, but realistically, one must factor in whether these systems are maintained properly or just neglected to assess YOUR risk.

It has been suggested that your risk of food poisoning from turning off a refrigerator exceeds your risk of fire IF you properly maintain your systems.

Brett

This one really makes me wonder....
You can drill for oil in the Gulf of Mexico for years; it only takes one disaster to change the whole game. What GMAC is saying is based on statistics and numbers, cold and hard numbers. The facts are what they are ...


--------------------
Tom and Louise Butler
2004 Monaco Windsor, Cummins 400 ISL
Roadmaster Sterling Tow Bar, Brakemaster, Chevy Trailblazer, BikeE Recumbent Bicycles
South Dakota Home Address, Winter Texans for 9 Years, 8+ Years Full Time
"The tipi is much better to live in; always clean and warm in winter, cool in summer, easy to move... If the Great Spirit wanted men to live in one place he would have made the world stand still." -- Flying Hawk, South Dakota Oglala Sioux

[wa8yxm]

One thing I wonder about when they recommend not running with Fridge on.. First the problem is usually lack of proper maintenance.. But let me describe two situtations

1: You are driving down the freeway headed toward an FMCA rally.. I"m also headed to the same rally and I'm behind you.. I see flames coming from the area of your Fridge and grab my CB and/or cell phone 9-1-1 on the cell (Have fire chase you down the Freeway) or "Breaker -19" to try to get your attention.. I stay, however, well clear of your fire.

Your rig is a total loss. You climb into mine and we go to the convention,, oh, a bit of shopping for you on the way so you have a change of undies.

Option 2:

You don't run with Propane on.

We get to the Rally.. Now we are boondocking there so it's all generators and propane for the fridge.

I'm parked beside you

Your Fridge still catches fire but now.. thanks to the sardine can nature of RV parking at rallies. so does mine and the rig on your other side takes damage as well.

So instead of one 200,000 motor home up in flames.. We have perhaps 500,000 in damages for your insurance to pay off.

Smart of them to recommend against running with propane on isn't it.

[Gary RVRoamer]

One of the top causes of RV fires is the fridge cooling unit catching on fire. It's not the propane per se but the fact that the cooling unit overheats. Obviously, if the fridge is not running, you won't have a cooling unit fire. But running it on electric carries a similar risk - the cooling unit can still overheat.

Newer fridges, as well as though modified by the recent Norcold recalls, have built-in detection for overheating and the risk of fire is very small.