Propane on during driving. Do you do it?

peg110 · Jul 28, 2016

Okay, so I have been reading a lot of blogs and sites about Camping, Camper Mods (to make things more efficient, comfortable or both) and I came across a blog that cautioned about keeping your propane turned on while driving. Why keep it on? Well because the refrigerator, of course. Apparently though most RV Refrigerator manufacturers state that you can safely go 6 to 8 hours with only a 4 degree drop in temperature. Well... Okay, what about my 21 hour drive :drive:

(that is, if I go straight through with no breaks otherwise, I am about 36 of travel time with breaks). Even at 21 hours that is about 17 - 22 degree loss and that's significant. (if your fridge is at the "Optimal" 40 degrees or even 36 degrees, bringing it up to 55 degrees is not good for milk/dairy/meats :crazy2:

)

The one blog indicated that you should use your vehicle generator to keep the fridge running (on 120V) but alas, I don't have a Class A/C with a built in Generator, I have a Travel Trailer with NO generator

so that's not an option.

Plus, as we travel down, we come stocked with our food AND we actually will use that food for some of our meals/breaks and certainly drinks (Who wants to pay $2 or more for a bottle of pop when you can buy a case of it for the equivalent of less than $1 per bottle. Even less if you buy generic). So there is "opening" and "Closing" of the fridge in transit.

Not very efficient OR convenient to just turn on the gas while you are stopped for breaks. Even if we stop for an hour for a meal, it takes time to start up the fridge and get it to cooling. By the time it's had a chance to start to be effective you would have to shut it off to get on the road again.

What does everyone else do? Do you leave it on or do you shut it off? Do you just buy all your food at the destination or do you use a "Cooler" until you get to the destination? Just curious. Do you think it's a big deal at all?

Inquiring minds want to know. (Okay, my dense mind wants to know :jester:

)

SouthAlabama5er · Jul 28, 2016

I've always run mine while on the road, and for days at a time while camping and never had a problem. The propane runs your refrigerator when your not connected to shore power.

And something I've seen with the blogs, some or good and some make you wonder how some people walk up right, same goes for the videos people post on YouTube. Blogs will make you over think stuff.

peg110 · Jul 28, 2016

That was kind of my thought too. The argument was that if you "Broke a line" somehow (rough driving, off road, accident, etc....) that you could be "leaking" in the cabin, then all it needs is a spark. While I see how it COULD happen, if my lines are breaking as a result of rough roads (Pennsylvania main roads are horrible, never mind the back roads), I think there are bigger issues that need addressing. Now if I were in an accident, I could see how that could be an issue, but if I am in an accident, I am doing a lot more than just checking my propane.

It's kind of like how they say don't drink out of the green hose (At home, not while camping.... very different story there). As a kid, when I was thirsty, I'd rather go to the hose outside and get a drink then try to clean up and go inside (and have mom or dad yell at me or give a chore to do or something similar). As long as you know what the hose is used for.... Go for it. Heck there were probably germs on there too but you know what.... It probably made me healthier in the long run... Anyway that's another rant for another day.

Cousin Ed C · Jul 28, 2016

16 years and about 170,000 miles of RVing with the gas on. You have to turn it off when fueling because you don't want an open flame near the gas pumps!!!!!

parrothead64 · Jul 28, 2016

Do it all the time, no problems.

tiggerdad · Jul 28, 2016

Always run mine. RV fridges do not cool as fast and do not hold temps as effectively as home appliances. If you notice, most rv fridges need between 12-24 hours to settle into a cold temp, this depending on temp inside trailer of course. If you're going down the road in the summer that interior trailer heat is higher, thus that fridge is gonna warm up faster, but, be a heck of a lot slower to cool back down.

I agree with Randy, some people just think too extremely. Like people who shout you shouldn't run over a snake in the road because it will get tangled up under your car and then bite you when you get home.

Oh, and I always drink from the green hose...

peg110 · Jul 28, 2016

tiggerdad said:
Like people who shout you shouldn't run over a snake in the road because it will get tangled up under your car and then bite you when you get home.

Thanks. I needed that!

I too run with my propane on, but I just wanted to make sure I wasn't the insane crazy one. At least if I am, I am in good company.

tiggerdad · Jul 28, 2016

You got that right!

SouthAlabama5er · Jul 28, 2016

In with Michael and myself is more like Bad Company or Outlaws.

Teamubr · Jul 28, 2016

I was trying to come up with a witty sarcastic reply about "people on blogs", but I can't beat the snake/wheel/bite story.

j

4077 · Jul 28, 2016

I can't remember what thread, but in regards to blogs and excess or over reaction....there was a discussion about trailer weights, how much is ok, etc. in here somewhere. A lot of good advice was given, and I think the OP was relieved to hear what was said after reading a bunch of other camping/camper type forums....regarding those other forums, the funny comment on here was something to the effect of:

Some of the people on those forums will try to convince you that you can't/shouldn't pull anything more than a pop-up with that diesel dually...lol..

I thought that was pretty funny (and true).

tiggerdad · Jul 28, 2016

Agreed Jimmy

peg110 · Jul 29, 2016

4077 said:
I can't remember what thread, but in regards to blogs and excess or over reaction....there was a discussion about trailer weights, how much is ok, etc. in here somewhere. A lot of good advice was given, and I think the OP was relieved to hear what was said after reading a bunch of other camping/camper type forums....regarding those other forums, the funny comment on here was something to the effect of:

Some of the people on those forums will try to convince you that you can't/shouldn't pull anything more than a pop-up with that diesel dually...lol..

I thought that was pretty funny (and true).

I remember that thread. The discussion was about how salesman always tell you "Yeah, you can tow it with that" and that other forum was like "No, you need a 3500 with dually wheels and don't forget the extra oversized hitch and don't fill your water tank more than a quarter full....." type responses. (doesn't really matter what type of camper you are talking about either.)

jbrostek · Jul 29, 2016

Lots of opinions out there. But in the end the reality is, the fridge is meant to run on propane. And in the summer without AC going in the trailer I doubt the temp change would be less then 4F after a full summer day on the road. I have always run with the propane on unless I am required to turn it off (Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel for example)

stpetedisneydad · Jul 29, 2016

Cousin Ed C said:
You have to turn it off when fueling because you don't want an open flame near the gas pumps!!!!!

This. Very important. I have always used the propane to power the fridge while driving and so did my dad. We always stop before getting close to the pumps and shut off the fridge. Then stop at the next rest area to turn it back on. You never know where the gas fumes from fueling will settle, if any find their way into the nooks and crannies of the RV driving down the road before turning the fridge back on will help clear out the fumes.

jwo1976 · Jul 29, 2016

Corrrect me if I'm wrong but. With my PUP the fridge is 3 - way meaning it can run on 120 VAC, propane or 12 volts. If you have a 6 or 7 pin trailer connection (power) your vehicle will power the fridge as long as it is running. If you stop and turn off your vehicle for awhile you can then switch it to propane. All the switches are accessible from an outside panel just behind the fridge.

peg110 · Jul 29, 2016

3 Way Fridges are not as common as apparently they once used to be.

From what I have read, the 3 ways are Propane (which may also require 12 V DC to start or it uses a pilot light), 120Volt AC (Household voltage), or 12V DC (Batteries).

The 120V AC is the best for performance but obviously not a viable solution while on the road.
DC is a good option as well, but uses quite a bit of the battery. Depending on how the charger is wired you may actually use more battery power then provided during the same amount of time charging. I guess a lot of the charge controllers tend to charge Slower (for safety and other reasons) so for a "LONG" trip this may not be a good option.
Propane is ideal for traveling because it doesn't use a lot of propane, and very little DC voltage, but of course there are the potential hazards.

So no mater which way you go, there are pros and cons to each.

veraletta · Jul 29, 2016

I think you only have to turn it off while fueling and going through tunnels... I use a generator...but I can tell you while in Maine I turned my off gen at 12 am and everything was cold in the morning..

tiggerdad · Jul 29, 2016

jwo1976 said:
Corrrect me if I'm wrong but. With my PUP the fridge is 3 - way meaning it can run on 120 VAC, propane or 12 volts. If you have a 6 or 7 pin trailer connection (power) your vehicle will power the fridge as long as it is running. If you stop and turn off your vehicle for awhile you can then switch it to propane. All the switches are accessible from an outside panel just behind the fridge.

True, for those few that have them. Sadly, they are most common on the smaller campers with smaller fridges. If you have this option, then you are in luck.

North of Mouse · Jul 29, 2016

Have been RVing for many years, but about 40 years with propane fridges and have 'never' turned them off for anything! Granted, we've never traveled through tunnels that require it - also have never heard of any of our friends that turn them off, even when fueling.

Propane on during driving. Do you do it?

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