Propane on/off when traveling?

[navymommy]

During our PDI, our tech said we could leave the propane turned on so the fridge would run while we are traveling. We ALWAYS turned off and burned off the propane in our tent trailers. It doesn't sound safe to me. Thoughts?

[roving legrands]

You should be fine, we run with our propane on and most our trips are long pulls.

[Crabman]

Welcome to the forum. You may find this poll on the subject helpful;

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f1...oll-15414.html

[Bassdogs]

Originally Posted by navymommy

During our PDI, our tech said we could leave the propane turned on so the fridge would run while we are traveling. We ALWAYS turned off and burned off the propane in our tent trailers. It doesn't sound safe to me. Thoughts?

Tons and tons posted on this topic last year, just do a forum search. The short answer there are those who do and those who don't. Main issue is refueling with a pilot lite and that is prohibited in many states. My personal experience is that it is perfectly ok to keep the fridge on gas while traveling. The only problem I've had is the fridge being off when we stop I guess due to air venting into the burner area. JUst relight and good to continue.

[Bookemdanno]

I always traveled with propane on to keep fridge cold going down the road. If I pulled in for fuel, I would turn off the propane 1st, fuel up, turn propane back on before hitting the road again. I never had a problem.

[norty1]

It is made to run. If it is illegal or you don't feel safe, then don't leave it on.

[FishAr]

I leave my refrigerator on but turn it off before I get fuel.

[VicS1950]

For general information.

While traveling through most tunnels it is illegal to have the propane tank valve open, let alone have appliances operating. There are usually large warning signs posted.

Many people tow with propane appliances operating. If you choose to do so it really is a good idea to shut off the pilot or spark making devices while fueling. Gasoline vapors are worse than diesel for ignition dangers during fueling.

FWIW. vic

[NVGun40]

It really comes down to personal preference; unless local laws dictate otherwise. Refer to your local area laws and keep in mind the laws of the places you intend to go to or pass through. It is against the law in some states to travel with a propane bottle valve in the open position.
Otherwise, do whatever you are comfortable with. I have run with it on in the past and never had an issue, however, in recent years I have changed my methods. Personally, I pre-chill my refrigerator for a day or two before I head out. I travel with everything off and the propane tanks closed. Your refrigerator should be good enough to keep eveything cold and/or frozen for 6-8 hours (depending on ambient outside temps in your location). With everything chilled inside, once you do turn it on, it takes no time at all to bring it back down to operating temperature.

[oldmanAZ]

Although this has been heavily discussed in posts in this forum, I was unsure what I was going to do. Essentially, the decision to leave it on was made for me: Our older dog, Steve, has an eye condition (corneal ulcers) that requires 3 different medications 3 times a day. One of medications has to kept refrigerated for up to 2 weeks, BUT for it to be stored for greater than 2 weeks, it must be kept frozen. The refrigerator was always on.

[TCNashville]

I've been back and forth on this as well. I tried it last year for the first time on a 2 hour trip with no fuel stops. In the 2 hours it was on gas, the freezer was good and cold when I arrived.

[navymommy]

Thank you all!

[VicS1950]

Originally Posted by oldmanAZ

Although this has been heavily discussed in posts in this forum, I was unsure what I was going to do. Essentially, the decision to leave it on was made for me: Our older dog, Steve, has an eye condition (corneal ulcers) that requires 3 different medications 3 times a day. One of medications has to kept refrigerated for up to 2 weeks, BUT for it to be stored for greater than 2 weeks, it must be kept frozen. The refrigerator was always on.

Not that you asked...

I've heard more than one story about stopping on the road and finding the freezer/refrigerator not working. If medication temperature is your concern there are specific tools for that.

Insulpak Insulated Medication Travel Bag with Electronic Temp Display Cools up to 30 Hours (Amazon)
Robot Check

The cost might be worth it for the peace of mind.

vic

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by VicS1950

Not that you asked...

I've heard more than one story about stopping on the road and finding the freezer/refrigerator not working. If medication temperature is your concern there are specific tools for that.

Insulpak Insulated Medication Travel Bag with Electronic Temp Display Cools up to 30 Hours (Amazon)
Robot Check

The cost might be worth it for the peace of mind.

vic

Thanks, Vic. A cool product.

[RodgerS]

It does not come down to personal preference. It comes down to probabilities and risk management. Turn your propane off when you travel.

There are plenty of people who knowingly drive overloaded and will tell you they have never had a problem. Some don't have a clue about it.

There are plenty of people who don't use any pedestal power protection and will tell you they have never had a problem. Some don't have a clue about it.

I could go onward. None of these are personal preferences.

If you don't turn your propane off and you loose your rig, those telling you it doesn't matter will probably be silent and they certainly won't help you recover from it. They will feel no responsibility and won't be held accountable for their advice.

[SouthCo]

We run with ours on. If something happens... It's on me. Know the risks and make your decision. We usually travel 6 or more hours away when camping and I'm keeping my fridge running and cold the whole way...

Shoot, I have been taking a risk by running the stock towmax tires for two years lol.....

[norty1]

In other words, If it is not illegal do what you want. No one here or anywhere else can tell you other wise, in a free country.

If you know the risks, you be the judge.

[go wild]

Originally Posted by norty1

In other words, If it is not illegal do what you want. No one here or anywhere else can tell you other wise, in a free country.

If you know the risks, you be the judge.

This is exactly the same response to the often-debated "RV toilet paper vs. normal TP" discussion!

[BigJohnD]

Ditch the fridge and install a residential like we did. Never worry about it again. However, as long as we've had the other fridges, we ran them while in transit. 8 rigs, no issues.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by VicS1950

Not that you asked...

I've heard more than one story about stopping on the road and finding the freezer/refrigerator not working. If medication temperature is your concern there are specific tools for that.

Insulpak Insulated Medication Travel Bag with Electronic Temp Display Cools up to 30 Hours (Amazon)
Robot Check

The cost might be worth it for the peace of mind.

vic

BTDT. I unplugged from shore power, fridge set to "auto", didn't verify before we took off that the fridge was running on gas. Got to a rest/human fuel stop a little way down the road, and I didn't hear it running, DW said lights were blinking. We couldn't get it started right there, but we weren't in danger of losing food yet so we pressed on. I trouble-shot when we got to the CG and discovered that I hadn't bled the air out of the propane lines, so the fridge ignitor kept faulting out. Now I bleed the propane lines, and audibly verify the fridge is running before we leave and at each stop.

Luckily at this point in life, we don't have meds or anything critical that requires the fridge. But I'm not a big fan of food poisoning, so we run that puppy.