Community Forums

mrsportys · 04-01-2021, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DutchmenSpor

When we had a gas/electric refrigerator in all our previous trailers, the refrigerator was never turned off. It ran on gas on the road and would switch over to electricity when the camper was plugged into shore power.

There's a lot of controversy over should you, or should you not, travel with the refer on gas. There is no "law" against it. It's just a matter of your own choice.

Now that we have a residential fridge, we travel with it turned on all the time, gas stations or not!

I understand that propane does not work with residential fridges. I assume you have generator or while driving to have fridge on....

GaryS1964 · 04-01-2021, 07:05 PM

My owners manual states very clearly not to travel with the propane on. I suspect their lawyers made them say that. Personally I don't travel with it on. I put a couple of half gallon plastic bottles of ice in the fridge and freezer and it keeps the food cold while traveling. I keep remotely monitored wireless thermometers in the fridge and freezer and they stay within health guidelines for 6+ hours using just the ice.

Besides that I'm cheap. Ice costs me next to nothing while propane can get expensive.

Bigd9 · 04-01-2021, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrsportys

I understand that propane does not work with residential fridges. I assume you have generator or while driving to have fridge on....

My residential refrigerator runs on the inverter that converts 12 volt battery power to 120 volt house hold power. The coach engine alternator keeps the batteries charged while driving. When we plug into shore power, the inverter automatically switches to the shore power.

TandW · 04-01-2021, 07:33 PM

In the old Allegro refrigerator outdoor service box I had installed an inverter dedicated for the fridge alone. But I can't remember was it the 350 watt or the 500 watt inverter. I'll have to look that up again. I think I had posted the maximum wattage for each system on the backside of the closet door where such things were listed out by Tiffin. I'm pretty sure I just hooked on to the 12 volt source for the board and igniter. Thinking I'll do this again with the new to us WinView.

THenne1713 · 04-01-2021, 10:19 PM

It is only NOT a problem until it is, but that problem MIGHT be a RV/Trailer on FIRE? REFRIG will stay cool many hours when precooled and kept closed; we Crank GEN and RUN refrig during meal/ rest stops, and generally leave LPG OFF for SAFETY. Exception might apply, but have also scared myself realizing I had accidently started pumping gas w/ REFRIG=ON, and personally, do NOT wanna be the guy on side of road or at a gas pump w/ RV on fire? We also are picky about menu/ items in REFRIG; FREEZE/ prep what you you MUST, but generally, careful menu choices eliminate REQUIRED cooling vs convenience cooling (cold drinks?); I drink coffee or water, rarely beer/ other

Maconclark · 04-02-2021, 05:23 AM

Excellent analysis.

Old Top Kick · 04-02-2021, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMitchell

I'm a shirt time RVer, so take it with a grain of salt

My personal choice is an extension of how I travelled before having the trailer, and the magic of dry-ice.

I pre chill the fridge and contents and on a solid travel day, I add a chunk of dry ice to the bottom of the fridge, and/or top of the freezer, then shut off LP and Electric and rely on chemistry/thermochemistry and the insulation to keep everything good for the duration of the trip.

Now I haven't had more than a 10 hour travel day, but for these shorter trips, it's a cheap, easily implemented option.

Tried that once. Wound up with carbonated milk, cream, butter and OJ. The OJ was OK. Had to toss the rest.

dedobias · 04-02-2021, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Your Trailer Propane System has numerous Safety Features built into the system
1) Propane pressure after the regulator is only 0.39psi
2) Propane has a narrow flammability range (2% -9.5%)
*propane concentration below 2% or above 10%....won't ignite
3) Propane Cylinders have a spring loaded check valve in outlet of the OPD...if nothing is connected/no propane flow----If that ACME Green Nut is not tightened/no propane flow
4) ACME Nut has a 'Thermal Bushing' that melts if temps go above 240*F (Fire) and the Propane Valve spring loaded check valve pushes and Closes/no propane Flow
5) ACME Nut has a 'Excess Flow Device' that closes off propane flow to minimum if excessive flow is detected (Leak)

Appliances....Fridge, Water Heater, Furnace
**Flame Sensor Circuit....if flame doesn't Light and PROVE it lit the circuit boards will shut down gas valve/no propane flow (3 attempts then off)

Safe to use while in transit....YES!

Number 5 is not 100% shut off - only about 90%.
Gas stop is 100%.
https://www.amazon.com/GasStop-Propa...a-744620170011

https://changinglanesrv.com/gasstop-...pane-shut-off/

Second is an EFV (Excess Flow Valve), which is (typically) built into the male POL / ACME fitting that connects to the propane tank from the RV. This valve, when “checked” (enabled), restricts flow by about 90-95%, but does not completely shut off gas flow.

dedobias · 04-03-2021, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigd9

For those of you that turn the propane off, I suppose you don't use the propane furnaces either while traveling? It can get mighty nippy in the RV when temperatures drop down in the 'burr that's cold range'. The dashboard heater just isn't quite up to the task.

The furnace and hot water manuals ABSOLUTELY say they are NOT to be used while moving.

dedobias · 04-03-2021, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

WE have traveled in very cold temps.....winter camping trips

Nothing quite like walking into a warm trailer for lunch break/potty break or after setting up when it is COLD outside

YES we have run with furnace ON, Fridge ON and couple of times with water heater ON-----
RV Propane system is VERY safe.

Research the safety features and make your own decision based on FACTS not Internet misinformation/fear

In a travel trailer the furnace and hot water are ABDOLUTELY not to be run while moving. READ the manuals.

Pslif · 04-19-2021, 08:16 AM

Steve52 Get off your high horse and respect somebody’s question as they may not be as knowledgeable or experienced as you. We are all here to ask the questions some of us may be new to the situation where others may have been there done that and can help with advice without looking like a smart ass on a high horse!

gibbyid · 04-24-2021, 10:55 PM

When I pulled a travel trailer I would shut the propane off because if a fire or leak no one would know until it was late, also made sure the water pump was off. Now with the motor home it stays on all the time except fueling as the refrigerator is next to filling cap.
Never had a problem with stuff melting and only took a few minutes to heat up inside.

tuffr2 · 04-25-2021, 03:36 AM

I am in the group that leaves the Refrigerator on.

My reasoning - trailers are to be moved. There are no saftey stickers that say I will die if I move my trailer while the refrigerator is on. I have towed 30,000 miles leaving it on.

I used to stay in an RV Park in the winter. I asked a few people to see what they do. 90% said they leave it on.

After reading this thread I now wonder, what will I do the next time. I might just turn my propane off at the tanks.

THenne1713 · 04-26-2021, 03:35 PM

It is very small percentage, but YES, you do see them on the roadside in flames; interesting that the RECALLS on Refrig affecting millions installed extra sheetmetal to contain flames and extra high temp fuses to shut off power. and YES, there is a STICKER LABEL on most all Class-C saying "driver to check all LUG NUTS before driving off"... but How Many do?