Is it safe or not safe

ewaldo · 10-30-2013, 09:40 PM

to run the refrigerator on propane while traveling, my fridg sits on the center right hand side. I have a 2003 Itasca Sunrise on a work horse chassis.

Mr_D · 10-30-2013, 09:45 PM

Been doing is since about 1958 with never any problems.

RickO · 10-30-2013, 09:48 PM

Safe.

H-Rambler25 · 10-30-2013, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickO

Safe.

Yes we have been doing it for 25 years with different size trailers we have owned.

Mr_D · 10-30-2013, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H-Rambler25

Yes we have been doing it for 25 years with different size trailers we have owned.

So hows the weather way out in your area?

TXiceman · 10-30-2013, 10:23 PM

You are going to get as much dispute on this issue as towing over weight.

The RV frigs are designed to run while in motion with the propane ON. we ahve been RVing since 1984 and ALWAYS let the frig switch to propane when we are unplugged from shore power. WE have yet to blow up and destroy anything or anyone.

Ken

DAN L · 10-31-2013, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ewaldo

to run the refrigerator on propane while traveling, my fridg sits on the center right hand side. I have a 2003 Itasca Sunrise on a work horse chassis.

i run my fridge while under way on propane.
i always turn the fridge off before refueling my moho.

safety first!

ewaldo · 10-31-2013, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

So hows the weather way out in your area?

Thanks to everyone, now I feel safe. As for the weather here it has been really nice with high 70'es to low 80'es last couple of days with winds 5-10 mph. God bless all.

garykk · 10-31-2013, 01:41 PM

Only time I turn mine off when on the road is when at the fuel pumps or in certain tunnels like the Bay Bridge Tunel.

LEHAFER · 10-31-2013, 02:20 PM

This question really got me to thinking. I have always traveled with the fridge set on propane. The cover for the fridge outside the coach is very close to the gasoline fill cap. What a wake up call.

RickO · 10-31-2013, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEHAFER

This question really got me to thinking. I have always traveled with the fridge set on propane. The cover for the fridge outside the coach is very close to the gasoline fill cap. What a wake up call.

Yeah, turning it off while fueling is a good idea.

Rick

jenandjon · 10-31-2013, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ewaldo

to run the refrigerator on propane while traveling, my fridg sits on the center right hand side. I have a 2003 Itasca Sunrise on a work horse chassis.

I was wondering the same thing. Thanks for asking for me.

I guess its safe to assume the same goes for travel trailers and 5th wheels?

Ray,IN · 10-31-2013, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jenandjon

I was wondering the same thing. Thanks for asking for me.

I guess its safe to assume the same goes for travel trailers and 5th wheels?

Yes. RV water heaters, refrigerators, and furnaces are designed to operate while underway. I have for decades, never had a fire or any damage from doing so; the only issue I ever had was way- back when the water heater and furnace had a standing pilot-light, occasionally the wind would blow out the pilot-light. These days those appliances are electronic ignition, and much more reliable.

J Birder · 10-31-2013, 09:32 PM

Safe is a relative term. Getting out of bed in the morning is not 100% safe. That being said, driving with the refrigerator running on propane is not very hazardous.

Joel

ewaldo · 10-31-2013, 09:47 PM

Thanks for all the good answers, I will sleep like a baby tonight.

Ewaldo

ARTWERKE · 10-31-2013, 10:02 PM

I agree with J bird,If driving with reefer on propane was the most dangerous thing I did, life would be very boooring. Heck I used to ride around Houston freeways on a motorcycle.

Mr_D · 10-31-2013, 10:24 PM

The propane system in RV's is designed, built, tested and certified to be on while in motion.
But do turn off the pilot lights when refueling even though, according to a retired fire Captain who researched it, there has never been a recorded fire due to a pilot light being left on when refueling.

QuietWater · 10-31-2013, 10:35 PM

I agree that it is okay to run with the fridge on, but go to Colaw's RV Salvage or any salvage yard and take a look at how many RV's have been junked because the fridge caught fire. There are LOTS of them.

wa8yxm · 11-01-2013, 03:11 AM

The insurance companies tell us to turn off the propane at the tank, They are concrned about the posibility of a fire if the rig is in an accident.. Frankly. I trust the excess flow valve to shut off the propane should that happen.. Plus I can freeze that tank solid if I need to (But that is not normal).

(In my rig, there is another trank just above the propane, I open that valve and the inhert gas comes out just a couple degrees above ABSOLUTE ZERO,, Way way below the freezing point of liquid propane, and dang near everything else).

In the old days of pilot lights.. There was a very very slight danger. With today's DSI (Direct Spark Ignition) systems the danger is so small it approaches zero.

HOWEVER, if a fridge is not properly maintained then it can catch fire.. Now think about this

Someone in half a million or more of PREVOST is following you on the freeway, Sees smoke and flames coming from you fridge... Do you think he's going to pull up beside you so the flames set his RV afire?

OR.. You both get to the same rally, they pack 'em in like sardines. Too close to put out your awning. and THEN your Fridge "Flames on" and he's far too close as is his neighbor on the other side by the time the FIre Dept gets there.

Of course, properly maintained, The odds of a fire go way way down.