Dusty Devil Dale Posted July 10, 2023 Share Posted July 10, 2023 Everything I have read says you must make sure all propane appliances are turned off and tank valves closed w/ pilots off while on the highway, and in particular while at a station refueling. They make it sound like it is a law, but without saying that directly. But when driving for 5-7 hrs or more in a day, how can food be kept cold in the fridge or frozen in the freezer without propane or 120V power? The insulation in those boxes does not look that good to me. Stopping in advance of, and after, refueling to shut things down and then turn them back on is always an option, but is that necessary? Or am I wrong about the insulation quality in a TT or RV? What am I over- or under-looking? Do you folks shut everything off in travel, or to refuel? and do any of you know of a case where a gas station fire started from a pilot light on a travel trailer? It does not seem like the gasoline fumes at an outdoor station could reach the 30% ignition c oncentration unless there is a significant spill. --I could be wrong there. What is your experience? Do you use dry ice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loophole LaRue, SASS #51438 Posted July 10, 2023 Share Posted July 10, 2023 https://outdoortroop.com/is-it-legal-to-drive-my-travel-trailer-with-the-propane-on/ LL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Duncan Posted July 10, 2023 Share Posted July 10, 2023 Not sure if it’s law “No open flames during refueling” but sure makes safety sense. Just as a highly combustible RV shaking down the highway would have a higher odds of a gas leak. Some RV refrigerators have a 12 VDC option. Mine had LP or 120 VAC. Mine I had converted from absorption to compressor 12 VDC. Cooled quicker, coach didn’t have to be level and I didn’t have to LP off while refueling or going through tunnels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted July 11, 2023 Share Posted July 11, 2023 It's just a pilot light to run the fridge. And it vented to the outside...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474 Posted July 11, 2023 Share Posted July 11, 2023 I have a 23 foot Forest River motor home with a three way frig/freezer. Driving, I turn the propane off and run it on 12 Volt with no issues. Things stay frozen in the freezer etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyesa Horg Posted July 11, 2023 Share Posted July 11, 2023 Not that it makes it right or wrong, I've run it for years while traveling. Not like it's right next to the gas filler on the truck and as OLG noted, it's only a small pilot light inside a metal box. Honestly most folks I know travel with it on. My new camper has electric only fridge, so not an issue anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badlands Bob #61228 Posted July 11, 2023 Share Posted July 11, 2023 We've been traveling with the propane turned on for the fridge for the past 7 years. If we are traveling 300 miles in a day, we need to keep the fridge on. Never had a problem. Some tunnels are posted stating that propane must be turned. A lot of the newer campers I have looked at are 12 volt DC or 120 volt AC. No propane. I guess a lot of the RV manufacturers are getting away from the propane fridges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yul Lose Posted July 11, 2023 Share Posted July 11, 2023 I run mine on propane unless it’s plugged in to 120v ac. The vent for the fridge pilot light is on the opposite side of the trucks fill hatch and about 15 feet away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
largo casey #19191 Posted July 11, 2023 Share Posted July 11, 2023 I was told that if propane is behind a closed door the door has to be unlocked. Largo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gateway Kid SASS# 70038 Life Posted July 11, 2023 Share Posted July 11, 2023 Stove/oven knobs have “click to off” position. Make sure they are secure. Water heater has a red light when on and we make sure it is off. Fridge gets fired up the night before we go so freezer does it’s thing and stays on till we get home or run out of food. Has worked for last four trailers though I suppose I could be doing it wrong. Regards Gateway Kid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabez Cowboy,SASS # 50129 Posted July 12, 2023 Share Posted July 12, 2023 My Fridge does not have a Pilot light, either does my Water Heater both ignite on demand... The Fridge has an auto setting and It picks either Propane or 120 as it sees fit ... And yes I keep it on except while filling the Propane Tank... The tank is built in... If the 12 volt is strong the inverter runs the Fridge while going down the road... I have a 150 watt solar panel on the roof... Jabez Cowboy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singin' Sue 71615 Posted July 12, 2023 Share Posted July 12, 2023 We just DON'T run with propane/gas on. Most all of your RV fires on the road are started at the refridgerator. We drive 8 to 10 hours and fridge stays cold, freezee stays solid. I put two small jugs of water in the freezer...and turn fridge on at least a day before we travel. Is it worth the risk to run with it on??? I don't feel it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Sage, SASS #49891 Life Posted July 13, 2023 Share Posted July 13, 2023 I have been rv'in for over 50 years. Other than my first camper that had an ice box, all have had a propane/110v refer. I have always ran with the propane refer turned on. Never had a problem...ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watab kid Posted July 13, 2023 Share Posted July 13, 2023 well - the wife has never run the oven/stove while we were on the move but we dont shut off the frig .......not saying it wont happen tho , she has a mind of her own , Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michigan Slim Posted July 13, 2023 Share Posted July 13, 2023 On 7/12/2023 at 1:14 PM, Singin' Sue 71615 said: We just DON'T run with propane/gas on. Most all of your RV fires on the road are started at the refridgerator. We drive 8 to 10 hours and fridge stays cold, freezee stays solid. I put two small jugs of water in the freezer...and turn fridge on at least a day before we travel. Is it worth the risk to run with it on??? I don't feel it is. I travel in Michigan a bunch. Seen a couple campers in flames. Can't say it was the fridge, but they were burning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singin' Sue 71615 Posted July 15, 2023 Share Posted July 15, 2023 On 7/13/2023 at 12:51 PM, Michigan Slim said: I travel in Michigan a bunch. Seen a couple campers in flames. Can't say it was the fridge, but they were burning. It is a sad, scary thing to see! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kloehr Posted July 15, 2023 Share Posted July 15, 2023 You do need to shut off the propane when driving through a tunnel (law and common sense). You should shut off propane before refueling (at least common sense, if not law). Driving with propane on for the fridge may result in poor fridge operation, excessive wear of the igniter circuit, and wasted propane; wind getting in through the fridge vents will keep blowing out the flame. Pack the freezer full of frozen water bottles before a trip, and the same for any extra fridge space. Your food will be fine. If having to use ice in bags for the trip home with leftover food, fill the veggie drawers with ice, then melt water will not get out onto the floor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Joker Posted July 15, 2023 Share Posted July 15, 2023 You have to remove 2 metal shroud/protective layers to GET to the pilot tube. More likely a bearing or brake fire directly under the fridge causes fires. My rear axle is directly under my lower fridge vent cover Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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