Question About Camping at High Altitude with LP Gas Appliances

[OnTheGo]

My refrigerator manual says operation above 5500 feet can be erratic when running on propane. We are going west next year and will camp at several locations that are between 7500 and 8000 feet. I would appreciate hearing from those folks who are seasoned high-country campers so I know what to expect. Or what I have to do before I leave - propane or otherwise.
Thanks in advance.

[dg1971]

I have camped a couple different years at 8600 elevation and never experienced any problems. Not to say it doesn't happen but I had no issues with my propane system including the refrigerator which ran totally on propane for 4 days each time while dry camping.

[cekkk]

We live at 9000' and run on propane coming and going without any problems at all. I've also run it on propane in our driveway away from electricity overnight before leaving on trips several times. Also, we seldom get much below 6000' when traveling except when we go to Phoenix. The fridge is always running. We don't dry camp if we can avoid it, so long periods are always on electricity.

I wouldn't worry about it. But others may have different views.

[OnTheGo]

dg1971 and cekkk,

... good information from those who have been there.

There is a different outlook when going to the mountains for those of us who are used to the high spots in Florida.

Thanks again,
Dale

[bayleightucker]

As others have stated, no problems at all. We do most of our summer camping in the Sierras at about the 8000 ft. level and have spent weeks running the fridge on propane......happy camping!

[Seann45]

the key word is CAN be not will be... I camp in the mountains often with no problems...(boondock) Even spent one night near the top of the Eisenhower just out of Denver...

[Flytyer]

I regularly camp at or above 8000 feet here in Arizona with no issue. I have a friend who’s nearly identical unit has occasional issues with the fridge needing reset (Simple off on cycle). Go figures..
By and large have had little problem with equipment at altitude but people are a whole different thing. A LOT of folks don’t take the time to adapt. When you get above 7000 feet HALF of the atmosphere is below you . Take it very easy the first 24 to 48 hours. More if you are a smoker. Drink Lots of water. That throbbing headache is a warning.