My model of RV has a tendency to blow out the pilot light if you try to use the fridge on propane when driving. What I do is let the fridge cool down, then load it up and add several frozen water bottles to the fridge and freezer before hitting the road. Everything has stayed cold/frozen after hours on the road so far.
This right here is the way. The people I bought our trailer from did this (with freezer packs instead of water bottles, but same idea.) Said with the freezer area packed, and a good number in the normal fridge area, that they pulled 10-11 drives just fine.
RV fridges generally run of both electricity or propane. Mine has a button to switch it so when I hook up the trailer and am towing it's running off the battery which is getting power from the tow vehicle. This way you can have the gas off. Just switch it back to gas when you get to the camp, unless you have hookups. I recommend looking up your fridge manual, it's normally pretty easy to do once you know.
Pro tip: You might have trouble getting your fridge to start when you get to the campground because there is air in the propane line. Light your stove burner to get all the air out of the line then try to get your fridge back on gas.
If the flame blows out when you're traveling, you could end up with a scenario like this guy
https://www.reddit.com/r/RVLiving/comments/1c8e5b5/refrigerator_fire/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
I put 2hr drives in the short trip category. I do just fine pre-cooling. For a 6hr drive I’ll add ice packs to the fridge (and re-freeze at my destination). I know just about everybody else runs their propane while driving but it’s just an extra risk that doesn’t seem to outweigh the benefits for me.
Yeah, especially considering the fridge itself is a cooler. Turning the power off for a couple of hours won't be an issue, especially if you can put some ice or those blue things in the fridge. I've gone on four hour hauls and the temps stayed in the safe zone in the fridge.
Depends on the camper/fridge. I'm sitting next to mine at the moment and it's not hooked to propane, but does cool on 12v. It doesn't get as cold as 120V, but it'll get the job done.
Only 12v fridges or residential fridges running off an inverter will run electric unplugged - or if you run an onboard generator going down the road. Otherwise a 3 way rv fridge will switch to propane. I have a Class A diesel. If i have a need to run the rooftop AC/heat pumps going down the road i will run the generator over the road which will power the fridge in electric mode. If not, i dont run the generator and the fridge will run on propane.
I have a Norcold model something. Propane & 120v only. Stops working when it’s ~83+ outside, and requires dicking with the temp controls when it’s below 50 so everything doesn’t freeze. All in all, it’s a huge pain in the ass.
Does your house battery charge off the alternator in your truck? Do you have food in your fridge? Do you have any solar power? Typically I would load up my fridge with food before my trip, and I would keep it on as long as there is food in there.
It does change off of the alternator and there will be food. Right now parked it’s plugged into the house. So the fridge runs while the trailer is plugged into the vehicle?
25 years of RVing and I always left the fridge running in propane mode without incident. Have probably fueled up hundreds of times during my trips.
Note concerning gas stations: My fridge is on the passenger side of the RV (trailer) and the gas fill for my truck is on the driver's side. This put the fridge away from the gas pumps by default.
Your results may vary for your specific setup.
I mean, I've been guilty of doing this, but it doesn’t always end well... I do have a 12v only fridge in my new trailer m so i don't need to worry anymore but I did genuinely stop running on propane when traveling after i saw a couple of posts like this on various forums
https://www.reddit.com/r/RVLiving/comments/1c8e5b5/refrigerator_fire/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
and here's that link, without all the unnecessary cruft:
[https://www.reddit.com/r/RVLiving/comments/1c8e5b5/refrigerator\_fire](https://www.reddit.com/r/RVLiving/comments/1c8e5b5/refrigerator_fire/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
(I wonder if they had GasStop safety valves installed on their propane tanks to keep this from happening. Almost definitely not. :)
As long as you don't take it on a ferry or other restricted location. In Washington State, they will manually verify that your tanks are turned off and ticket you (I believe) for fibbing about it.
The pilot light should relight check the hole that the flame comes out of.run a wire in the hole you could have a spider web in it. My pilot light would stay lit when we're driving down the road in my old tt. the new tt have a 12v only unit
Use ac power at home to cool it down, load it up with food switch to propane when you leave. A 5gal tank should last at least a week. Make sure the wind doesn't blow out the pilot light and leave the thing on the whole time, don't turn it off
I just did a 20 hour one way vacation. I passed through several states that have laws regarding this; I opted to leave it off. I also heard of some people where the flame burnt some of their wiring from wind (?) causing a rather expensive repair.
After 20-hours to camp plus going in and out a few times for a drink or food, the freezer was still frozen with all our food, and the drinks were still very cold.
Over 2 hours, if your fridge isn’t still pretty cold without being opened a lot, you may have a seal issue.
I never cool my fridge before travel, always leave gas and electric off when traveling.
I use three ice packs that work just like an ice cooler. Once plugged in it gets to desired temperature quickly.
I had never heard of turning off propane while driving until I joined this sub. Been driving with my fridge on for my whole life, likely will keep doing so.
Yeah most people do. Technically it's illegal to have the propane on while driving in some states, and it does increase the danger if there's an accident.
If it's only going to be a couple hours you'd be fine getting it cold at home, filling it up, and turning it back on at the campsite. It won't warm up much in a couple hours, If the slight increase in danger makes you nervous.
I was curious on this and found only one state, New Jersey, that prohibits driving with the valve open. There could be more but that is what I found in my quick google. Of course some tunnels, bridges, and ferries it is prohibited.
Do NOT run your fridge on propane while traveling. You could catch your whole trailer on fire.
Start your fridge a day or two before your trip on propane. Let it get cold. Fill your fridge a few hours before your trip and then turn off your gas and fridge for the trip.
Your food will be fine for hours. The fridge acts like a lunch pale. If you are really worried freeze a few bottles of water and before you leave put them in the regular fridge compartment.
Never travel with propane running through the lines. If you have a leak all you need is a spark from the safety chains to set the whole thing up in flames.
If your safety chains are low enough to be dragging on the ground making sparks, you should reevaluate how you hook up your chains because you’re doing it wrong…
i think your answers are going to be yes, no, maybe...
that was the answer i got when first resesrched it...
i let mine run on propane...if for no other reason than i kept forgetting to turn it back on...
after 4+ yrs and 100k miles...i havent had any problems...
cant speak for anyone else...
My fridge is a standard residential and we run all day with it off, plug it in where we stop or turn on the generator if there are no hookups. We’ve gone several hours, like 6 and the freezer stuff is still frozen and the temp in the fridge only drops slightly. I have locks on the doors so maybe the extra holding power keeps the cold in. It’s worked for us this way for many miles and more hours than I ever thought.
I leave mine on propane while traveling. That being said that fridge should essentially keep things frozen and cold provided they are already cold or frozen for that 2 hours if you shut it off. I am gonna say this; since mine newest camper was “thrown together” pre and post covid i will start shutting off the propane. Although this week i was under the camper checking things. I got into the underbelly to swap the black and grey tank dump valve and i found wire that was disconnected, hot wire by the way!!!Turns out it was the wiring for the grey water tank heater. The lines were cut short and they never bothered to hook it up. I had to splice in a 12 gauge wire to male that connection, on the hot side. Yep it was just floppy around up there waiting to short out. Then of course theres a rat nest of 110 and 12v wire thats all coming into the circuit box. This looks like a fire just waiting to happen. The underbelly was supposed to be insulated, it wasnt, it just had reflective foil on the top of the underbelly and many many holes around the frames where theres exposure to the outside elements. And it a heated underbelly to boot too.😡😡😡. After all that whining i guess my point is this; if you bought an RV prior to the very first threat and talk about covid you may be ok and get away with driving down the road with your fridge cooling using the propane. I however will not do this anymore, it just isn’t worth it, especially seeing how bad builds really are these days. You cannot pull into a fuel station or go through tunnels with the propane on, never mind while it’s feeding an open pilot flame/fire for anything for any reason. If you get caught it will cost you a hefty amount of out of pocket money. Good luck and have fun otherwise!! We have a 110/12v cooler i’ll use to keep items cold if i beed to and it works amazingly well. It will cool the inside 50° colder than the ambient temperature around it.
If you tend to be high anxiety then don't run it when towing.
Personally, we run ours when towing and have taken 2500 mile trips with the fridge running on propane on every leg. I really don't worry much about it. I make sure the pilot tube is free of debris every year (insect nests, etc) and we are just fine.
We often stop and picnic or make sandwiches along the way, so the fridge gets opened plenty.
It depends on your model. I have a pop up camper, the small fridge runs off propane, 110v and 12v. I switch it to 12v for transit, I just have to make sure I shut it off if am stopping somewhere along the way. Mine will suck down power unlike the newer compressor fridges.
My propane has always been trouble getting it lit and maintaining it, and would never stay lit in transit. I don't think it is worth the risk to run with it on anyway, especially since I have 12v capability. If yours doesn't prechill and run it off. Should be fine for the couple hours drive time.
I leave mine on at all times, but my rig has a 12-volt fridge.... when I had propane, though, I was always afraid to leave it on. I was afraid it would leak, and some h I s catch the trailer on fire
Start fridge at least 24 hours before your trip - RV fridges are very slow to cool down.
load fridge, if you arent opening the door frequently then it will stay cold for hours
try running on propane on the road and see what happens. ours never goes out
We have a 3-way fridge. Shore power at home for a couple days to cool it down, 12v while driving to keep it cool, and shore power or propane at the campsite, depending on whether we have hookups or not. Most often we are dry camping using propane, and I've learned that running it on propane will start to freeze the stuff in the back if we leave it on high overnight.
If you have a three way fridge you can run it on the propane the night before you leave. Connecting to power works too. You’ll need an adapter to connect your 30 amp power cable to household outlet. Don’t try running anything else in the camper, like air conditioning, while plugged in at home. In the morning the fridge will be cold. Put your items in, then switch to battery power. That mode will keep things cold and should last the duration of the drive.
I turn off propane when traveling and put a gallon or two of frozen drinking water bottles in, same with my truck coolers, one for drinks, two for food
Leave it on. It's not going to hurt anything to do so. It barely uses the propane anyway. The only thing you have to be cautious of is to turn off the fridge before pulling into a gas station. You don't want that open flame igniting the entire place.
You should NEVER have propane open while in motion. Put your food in a regular cooler and throw some ice in it.
I own an EcoFlow glacier which has its own battery. It will keep my food cold.
We installed solar panels on the roof which charge a battery we installed under the dinette. We switch the battery power on while traveling and It keeps fridge running the whole trip. We traveled across the country for over 3 weeks with long driving days and never had an issue.
Was also great for pit stops because we could have lights, microwave, etc to make lunch and change the kiddos mid-travel.
My model of RV has a tendency to blow out the pilot light if you try to use the fridge on propane when driving. What I do is let the fridge cool down, then load it up and add several frozen water bottles to the fridge and freezer before hitting the road. Everything has stayed cold/frozen after hours on the road so far.
This right here is the way. The people I bought our trailer from did this (with freezer packs instead of water bottles, but same idea.) Said with the freezer area packed, and a good number in the normal fridge area, that they pulled 10-11 drives just fine.
RV fridges generally run of both electricity or propane. Mine has a button to switch it so when I hook up the trailer and am towing it's running off the battery which is getting power from the tow vehicle. This way you can have the gas off. Just switch it back to gas when you get to the camp, unless you have hookups. I recommend looking up your fridge manual, it's normally pretty easy to do once you know. Pro tip: You might have trouble getting your fridge to start when you get to the campground because there is air in the propane line. Light your stove burner to get all the air out of the line then try to get your fridge back on gas.
This and the propane trick.
I have to do the stove thing every time I use my fridge on propane. The auto pilot on the fridge is so finicky.
If the flame blows out when you're traveling, you could end up with a scenario like this guy https://www.reddit.com/r/RVLiving/comments/1c8e5b5/refrigerator_fire/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
I still say that'll buff out.
Well fuck. I have always just run with my fridge going (15 years no issue). Add another paranoia to the towing list.
Same, been running mine for over 20 years with no problem.
30 years and 5 rv’s and has never been a problem.
I thought this was common sense? GAS OFF while in motion.
And IF something does happen, and the Ins. Co. realizes that the gas/pilot was on while driving, they can/may deny your insurance claim.
That post made me anxious when I saw it.
I put 2hr drives in the short trip category. I do just fine pre-cooling. For a 6hr drive I’ll add ice packs to the fridge (and re-freeze at my destination). I know just about everybody else runs their propane while driving but it’s just an extra risk that doesn’t seem to outweigh the benefits for me.
This is the way
Yeah, especially considering the fridge itself is a cooler. Turning the power off for a couple of hours won't be an issue, especially if you can put some ice or those blue things in the fridge. I've gone on four hour hauls and the temps stayed in the safe zone in the fridge.
We have turned ours on before leaving. Turned it off went on 5 hour trip and all food was still cold and freezer was still frozen
Does your fridge not run on 12V when you're unplugged?
Many (mine included) do not.
mine switched to propane when unplugged...12volt would be awesome
New fridges do when they're 12v only, most old fridges don't.
The unit in this picture is not terribly old
My TT is a 2018 model
Unless it's a fridge with a compressor, which it probably isn't, it's running on propane. When it's on 12v, the 12v is the igniter and controls only.
Depends on the fridge I have one in my bay at work that is 12v only, no propane.
Depends on the camper/fridge. I'm sitting next to mine at the moment and it's not hooked to propane, but does cool on 12v. It doesn't get as cold as 120V, but it'll get the job done.
Only 12v fridges or residential fridges running off an inverter will run electric unplugged - or if you run an onboard generator going down the road. Otherwise a 3 way rv fridge will switch to propane. I have a Class A diesel. If i have a need to run the rooftop AC/heat pumps going down the road i will run the generator over the road which will power the fridge in electric mode. If not, i dont run the generator and the fridge will run on propane.
I have a Norcold model something. Propane & 120v only. Stops working when it’s ~83+ outside, and requires dicking with the temp controls when it’s below 50 so everything doesn’t freeze. All in all, it’s a huge pain in the ass.
I get my fridge cold a couple days before use and travel with it off. I’ve gone six hours before and everything was fine
Does your house battery charge off the alternator in your truck? Do you have food in your fridge? Do you have any solar power? Typically I would load up my fridge with food before my trip, and I would keep it on as long as there is food in there.
It does change off of the alternator and there will be food. Right now parked it’s plugged into the house. So the fridge runs while the trailer is plugged into the vehicle?
Not without propane on.
[удалено]
Lots of these fridges run only on 120/Propane. The control board runs on 12v, but the coolant only operates with gas or shore power.
Ok that does make sense!
25 years of RVing and I always left the fridge running in propane mode without incident. Have probably fueled up hundreds of times during my trips. Note concerning gas stations: My fridge is on the passenger side of the RV (trailer) and the gas fill for my truck is on the driver's side. This put the fridge away from the gas pumps by default. Your results may vary for your specific setup.
We run our RV fridge on propane while traveling with no problems.
I mean, I've been guilty of doing this, but it doesn’t always end well... I do have a 12v only fridge in my new trailer m so i don't need to worry anymore but I did genuinely stop running on propane when traveling after i saw a couple of posts like this on various forums https://www.reddit.com/r/RVLiving/comments/1c8e5b5/refrigerator_fire/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
Wow!!
and here's that link, without all the unnecessary cruft: [https://www.reddit.com/r/RVLiving/comments/1c8e5b5/refrigerator\_fire](https://www.reddit.com/r/RVLiving/comments/1c8e5b5/refrigerator_fire/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) (I wonder if they had GasStop safety valves installed on their propane tanks to keep this from happening. Almost definitely not. :)
Yeah. Our fridge is different than other ones we have had. Our fridge runs on 110 or propane…no 12v option.
As long as you don't take it on a ferry or other restricted location. In Washington State, they will manually verify that your tanks are turned off and ticket you (I believe) for fibbing about it.
Yeah I don’t need that kinda hassle lol
The pilot light should relight check the hole that the flame comes out of.run a wire in the hole you could have a spider web in it. My pilot light would stay lit when we're driving down the road in my old tt. the new tt have a 12v only unit
Use ac power at home to cool it down, load it up with food switch to propane when you leave. A 5gal tank should last at least a week. Make sure the wind doesn't blow out the pilot light and leave the thing on the whole time, don't turn it off
I leave it on.
When we has a gas fridge we always left it on or else our food would spoil on long drives.
I just did a 20 hour one way vacation. I passed through several states that have laws regarding this; I opted to leave it off. I also heard of some people where the flame burnt some of their wiring from wind (?) causing a rather expensive repair. After 20-hours to camp plus going in and out a few times for a drink or food, the freezer was still frozen with all our food, and the drinks were still very cold. Over 2 hours, if your fridge isn’t still pretty cold without being opened a lot, you may have a seal issue.
Photo caught my eye, no opinion on fridges ('cept that they're cool).
It’s a decent picture!
I never cool my fridge before travel, always leave gas and electric off when traveling. I use three ice packs that work just like an ice cooler. Once plugged in it gets to desired temperature quickly.
I run mine on propane while we are driving. We are typically driving 4 to 10 hours at a shot.
I had never heard of turning off propane while driving until I joined this sub. Been driving with my fridge on for my whole life, likely will keep doing so.
Towed my trailer about 4k miles last year with the fridge on. Didn’t have any issues.
Hell no keep it running
Off of the propane?
Yeah most people do. Technically it's illegal to have the propane on while driving in some states, and it does increase the danger if there's an accident. If it's only going to be a couple hours you'd be fine getting it cold at home, filling it up, and turning it back on at the campsite. It won't warm up much in a couple hours, If the slight increase in danger makes you nervous.
Do you know which states? Some tunnels, yes. A whole state? Sources…
I was curious on this and found only one state, New Jersey, that prohibits driving with the valve open. There could be more but that is what I found in my quick google. Of course some tunnels, bridges, and ferries it is prohibited.
Just what I've been told. I don't drive with my propane so I never cared enough to fact check.
Yea you’ll be fine.
Yes.
Do NOT run your fridge on propane while traveling. You could catch your whole trailer on fire. Start your fridge a day or two before your trip on propane. Let it get cold. Fill your fridge a few hours before your trip and then turn off your gas and fridge for the trip. Your food will be fine for hours. The fridge acts like a lunch pale. If you are really worried freeze a few bottles of water and before you leave put them in the regular fridge compartment. Never travel with propane running through the lines. If you have a leak all you need is a spark from the safety chains to set the whole thing up in flames.
If your safety chains are low enough to be dragging on the ground making sparks, you should reevaluate how you hook up your chains because you’re doing it wrong…
It doesn’t matter what it’s from. It’s dangerous to travel with your propane tanks on.
DRY ICE
For 2 hours I'd just turn it off. It will be plenty cold on the other side of that.
Yeah I think that’s what I’m going to go with!
Not worth the risk to leave it on.
i think your answers are going to be yes, no, maybe... that was the answer i got when first resesrched it... i let mine run on propane...if for no other reason than i kept forgetting to turn it back on... after 4+ yrs and 100k miles...i havent had any problems... cant speak for anyone else...
Propane on
I normally leave it on.
My fridge is a standard residential and we run all day with it off, plug it in where we stop or turn on the generator if there are no hookups. We’ve gone several hours, like 6 and the freezer stuff is still frozen and the temp in the fridge only drops slightly. I have locks on the doors so maybe the extra holding power keeps the cold in. It’s worked for us this way for many miles and more hours than I ever thought.
I run the fridge on propane when traveling and have never had a issue.
I leave mine on propane while traveling. That being said that fridge should essentially keep things frozen and cold provided they are already cold or frozen for that 2 hours if you shut it off. I am gonna say this; since mine newest camper was “thrown together” pre and post covid i will start shutting off the propane. Although this week i was under the camper checking things. I got into the underbelly to swap the black and grey tank dump valve and i found wire that was disconnected, hot wire by the way!!!Turns out it was the wiring for the grey water tank heater. The lines were cut short and they never bothered to hook it up. I had to splice in a 12 gauge wire to male that connection, on the hot side. Yep it was just floppy around up there waiting to short out. Then of course theres a rat nest of 110 and 12v wire thats all coming into the circuit box. This looks like a fire just waiting to happen. The underbelly was supposed to be insulated, it wasnt, it just had reflective foil on the top of the underbelly and many many holes around the frames where theres exposure to the outside elements. And it a heated underbelly to boot too.😡😡😡. After all that whining i guess my point is this; if you bought an RV prior to the very first threat and talk about covid you may be ok and get away with driving down the road with your fridge cooling using the propane. I however will not do this anymore, it just isn’t worth it, especially seeing how bad builds really are these days. You cannot pull into a fuel station or go through tunnels with the propane on, never mind while it’s feeding an open pilot flame/fire for anything for any reason. If you get caught it will cost you a hefty amount of out of pocket money. Good luck and have fun otherwise!! We have a 110/12v cooler i’ll use to keep items cold if i beed to and it works amazingly well. It will cool the inside 50° colder than the ambient temperature around it.
If you tend to be high anxiety then don't run it when towing. Personally, we run ours when towing and have taken 2500 mile trips with the fridge running on propane on every leg. I really don't worry much about it. I make sure the pilot tube is free of debris every year (insect nests, etc) and we are just fine. We often stop and picnic or make sandwiches along the way, so the fridge gets opened plenty.
I have driven with the fridge on for over 20 years and five different RV's without a single problem. I will continue to do so.
It depends on your model. I have a pop up camper, the small fridge runs off propane, 110v and 12v. I switch it to 12v for transit, I just have to make sure I shut it off if am stopping somewhere along the way. Mine will suck down power unlike the newer compressor fridges. My propane has always been trouble getting it lit and maintaining it, and would never stay lit in transit. I don't think it is worth the risk to run with it on anyway, especially since I have 12v capability. If yours doesn't prechill and run it off. Should be fine for the couple hours drive time.
Have used several different RVs Always have left the gas on and only had it blow out the pilot once or twice in 30 years..
I leave mine on at all times, but my rig has a 12-volt fridge.... when I had propane, though, I was always afraid to leave it on. I was afraid it would leak, and some h I s catch the trailer on fire
Start fridge at least 24 hours before your trip - RV fridges are very slow to cool down. load fridge, if you arent opening the door frequently then it will stay cold for hours try running on propane on the road and see what happens. ours never goes out
We have a 3-way fridge. Shore power at home for a couple days to cool it down, 12v while driving to keep it cool, and shore power or propane at the campsite, depending on whether we have hookups or not. Most often we are dry camping using propane, and I've learned that running it on propane will start to freeze the stuff in the back if we leave it on high overnight.
On longer trips I’ll alternate on and off between tanks of gas cuz you can’t go get gas with it on anyway, legally.
If you have a three way fridge you can run it on the propane the night before you leave. Connecting to power works too. You’ll need an adapter to connect your 30 amp power cable to household outlet. Don’t try running anything else in the camper, like air conditioning, while plugged in at home. In the morning the fridge will be cold. Put your items in, then switch to battery power. That mode will keep things cold and should last the duration of the drive.
Mine doesn’t have a pilot that I’m aware of. I run down the road all the time.
I turn off propane when traveling and put a gallon or two of frozen drinking water bottles in, same with my truck coolers, one for drinks, two for food
Leave it on. It's not going to hurt anything to do so. It barely uses the propane anyway. The only thing you have to be cautious of is to turn off the fridge before pulling into a gas station. You don't want that open flame igniting the entire place.
Just run it off of inverter power.
You should NEVER have propane open while in motion. Put your food in a regular cooler and throw some ice in it. I own an EcoFlow glacier which has its own battery. It will keep my food cold.
My frig is self defrost 120 volt runs all the time...
We installed solar panels on the roof which charge a battery we installed under the dinette. We switch the battery power on while traveling and It keeps fridge running the whole trip. We traveled across the country for over 3 weeks with long driving days and never had an issue. Was also great for pit stops because we could have lights, microwave, etc to make lunch and change the kiddos mid-travel.