Traveling with Refrigerator on

[Ray K]

I have a question that I need answered. I think I know it but need confirmation. We just bought a Rockwood TT. one sales rep said we could run the refrigerator on lp while driving and the other one said it could run on the 12v system. The only 12v I have is for the control panel that switches automatically from gas to electric. Is it really safe to pull the 33' Rockwood with the gas on?

[Ray K]

I have a question that I need answered. I think I know it but need confirmation. We just bought a Rockwood TT. one sales rep said we could run the refrigerator on lp while driving and the other one said it could run on the 12v system. The only 12v I have is for the control panel that switches automatically from gas to electric. Is it really safe to pull the 33' Rockwood with the gas on?

[Rich & Zara]

It is entirely safe to have the refrigerator running on LP while driving, however, for safety sake at a gas station, you should turn it off at the frig, not the LP bottle BEFORE approaching a service station gas pump. A spark from the refrigerator LP ignitor could cause a fire or explosion at the pumps. This topic has been discussed in the past and I'm sure you will find more on the subject by using the search feature.

Rich

Our RV Trip To Alaska

[Allegro Happy]

Welcome Ray K Glad you found us. Rich is right, you can run with LP.

[Novi]

One on-line magazine did a survey last year asking how many people travel with the propane on and the result was the vast majority of RVers do.

[Jim]

Traveling with the lp on is done by many but is not recommended...if you have an accident and your lp tanks are open, a violent explosion could occur..alternatively,you can leave the refrigerator off for 5-6 hours while traveling..set the control to high the night before to supercool it first..jim

[Larry, NW4W]

Ray K,

I had a Coachman TT in an earlier life which had a 3 way refr. I tried both the 12 volt and LP, but found the LP setting cooled the refr much better and traveled using that most of the time. Enjoy your travels.

[Ray K]

Thank you all for replying. My question has been answered. Heading for Western North Carolina then to Pigeon Forge Tn 6-9-05 Sure glad I found you all. But before we start, need to practice. Never pulled anything this long before.

[Gypsy John]

One thing that was NOT MENTIONED was that if you are going through a TUNNEL--you had best have the LP shut off.

And just because lots of other RVers do something, does not make it SAFE or LEGAL.

[Rich & Zara]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Gypsy John:
One thing that was NOT MENTIONED was that if you are going through a TUNNEL--you had best have the LP shut off. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Major tunnels, YES! ...but short tunnels where one can see daylight at the other end?? At the major tunnels where LP is not allowed (tank and all) or where the bottle must be secured (turned off at its valve), you will see warning signs letting you know these facts.

Rich


Rich

[Gypsy John]

Rich,

The DMV in at least 14 states will disagree with you. I can only guess that you have NEVER seen a propane fire/explosion. If you are ever in a SHORT tunnel that you can see daylight (and I know several that are 1/2 mile long that I could see daylight at the other end) and you are involved in accident--I can only hope that you will NOT be incinerated from the heat that will result.

Relying on a "sign" to tell you is not prudent. Just look at all the (highway & street) signs that some people have in their backyards. Where do you think they come from?

[TXiceman]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Jim:
Traveling with the lp on is done by many but is not recommended...if you have an accident and your lp tanks are open, a violent explosion could occur..alternatively,you can leave the refrigerator off for 5-6 hours while traveling..set the control to high the night before to supercool it first..jim </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Jim, your propane tanks will have an excess flow check on them and if you have a line break, the sudden flow will shut the valve and a small amount will leak out. It can not cause the tank to "explode" since the tanks is fill with pure propane. In order to have an explosion, you have to have fuel, oxygen (air) and a conbustion source. At most you will get a flame at the line break.

To get the "explosion, you will have to rupture the tank.

Ken

[Ray K]

No tunnels to NC. I will turn off lp before crossing the Smokys since there are a few tunnels in the route. Thanks again!

[CD]

The worry about a propane tank exploding is akin to people's worry about a car exploding when on fire. That is movie stuff. I was on volunteer fire departments for over 20 yrs. I saw a number of cars burn to the road but none exploded. A tire blowing will sure get your attention. A propane line break that allowed enough flame to hit the tank to soften the tank metal could cause an explosion that you wouldn't want to be within a 1/2mile of. I'm not sure of that distance but you get the idea.