Is it ok to run fridge on propane while towing ?

[J. Morgan]

I am saying that propane as a risk of injury is more of a risk while the trailer is occupied as opposed to when the trailer is being towed.

And I think that common sense proves my contention.

In the case of an accident, the propane is still there whether the tank valve is on or off. Tank off might mitigate the effect of an accident depending on the specific conditions, but I still assert that propane is more of a risk when the trailer is being used than when the trailer is being towed.

I have never heard of anyone who burned to death or was killed by leaking propane while towing. I have however known a couple of people who died in their burning trailers.

One indirectly attributable to propane, he went to sleep heating oil to make French fries.

[Zeppelinium]

Originally Posted by J. Morgan

...In the case of an accident, the propane is still there whether the tank valve is on or off. Tank off might mitigate the effect of an accident depending on the specific conditions, ...

Despite my (and others') cavalier (and perhaps justified) attitude about towing with the fridge running, take a look under your Airstream and contemplate how vulnerable all those 1/4" copper tubes are. It's road debris damage to those tubes that makes leaving the tank valve open while towing a bad idea.

Not bad enough to make me shut the valve, however.

Zep

[J. Morgan]

I guess this doesn't matter much to the masses with regard to this thread, but I replaced my gas line with black pipe.

Anyway, even with road hazards, a break in the line will dissipate pretty well while the trailer is moving, (unless ignited of course), and being heavier than air, propane will fall to the roadway.

[NevadaGeo]

We'd better look at the dangers of transporting that lethal diHydrogen Oxide in active mode all over the place too while we're at it.

[PharmGeek]

the gag is dihydrogen MONOxide...and it is DEADLY!! (oh those gags always make me facepalm)....but no worse than polls that show that 25% believe the sun revolves around the earth.

[Rocinante]

Thanks, Zep, well stated.

I wouldn't call anybody's attitude cavalier. Every Airstream represents a huge personal investment, and every owner cares about their rig, their family and their camping experience. The decision simply represents analysis and acceptance of a particular risk profile. (For example, balancing the risk of spoiled food against the risk of a propane-fired event.).

From my perspective, your reference to the exposed gas lines is exactly what I had in mind. Honestly, because we're talking about a low probability base rate event, chances seem pretty good that nothing bad will happen either way...unless you fall asleep in your trailer while cooking hot oil on your stove. Jeez!

That said, I don't accept "common sense" arguments any more than I accept personal observations as statistically predictive of very low probability base rate events. Cite the literature and statistical analyses if you really want to have that discussion. Fact-free opinions need not apply. Fortunately for all concerned, it doesn't matter one whit whether I accept those arguments. Folks can still run with their propane on, or off, regardless of what I choose to do. Cool!

[J. Morgan]

Seriously?

lol, so in you world common sense doesn't exist?

Maybe you could follow my example and replace your copper line with black pipe, just in case?

[Rocinante]

Yep, seriously. I prefer scientific study to common sense. Thus have I been convinced that the earth revolves around the sun instead of the other way around.

Meanwhile, we're getting pretty far off topic.

[J. Morgan]

What makes you think that common sense is not based in observation and fact, and employed for daily utility?


But, in full disclosure, science is a hobby of mine.

[J. Morgan]

So I take it you think I believe that the sun revolves around the earth, and that I am ignorant of your backhanded personal snipes?

[J. Morgan]

So you get to define what common sense is?

So you by scientific method have determined that risk is mitigated by not running the fridge while towing your trailer?

Where might I find this statistical data?

(Edit the post I was responding to here was deleted)

[Rocinante]

I was making a larger point via a lighthearted joke, nothing more. Nothing personal was intended, and I offer apologies to you and anyone else who may have taken offense.

[JFScheck]

Agreed & Agree.

[Zeppelinium]

Originally Posted by Silvery Moon

...I wouldn't call anybody's attitude cavalier.

Cavalier syn: indifferent, dismissive, insouciant, unconcerned

In the face of "rules" to the contrary, I'd say many of us fall into the dismissive or unconcerned category.

... The decision simply represents analysis and acceptance of a particular risk profile.

So, if you've done the analysis and are then "unconcerned," is that cavalier? Maybe not. I'm betting, however, that a lot of owners haven't done the analysis.

Zep

(western Washington? Love it up there.)

[m.hony]

I just don't want my frozen french fries or hamburger meat to thaw...
Possibly groceries would be OK anyway if the trailer was plugged in to shore power and the frozen groceries were put in before travel and the trip was only a couple of hours and the temperature was mild...
I only rarely run with the fridge on, but I do run with the fridge on sometimes. I just refilled my bottles at $76 for the first time in a year and a half. The name of my game is make it last, it is expensive. I have used ice chests in the past as well. We just hauled enough frozen french fries to feed 80 people twice for a fish fry Tuesday and a hamburger supper Thursday- 12 two pound bags-
6 bags in the freezer, 6 bags in the refrigerator. When we arrived, we put 6 bags in someone else's freezer. When others arrived, we put a bag here and there in other people's freezers to get some out space back for biscuits, bacon, and sausage. I travel with the propane bottles off most of the time for the same reason I use electric heaters and run the water heater on electric- to conserve, save, make last a long time an expensive commodity- not due to fear my trailer will explode, but because I am cheap, frugal, tight- whatever you want to call it. When hooked to shore power in mild temperatures the propane bottles are off. When it's just mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup and pickles in the fridge I don't even run the fridge while traveling.

[MrUKToad]

Originally Posted by Zeppelinium

...take a look under your Airstream and contemplate how vulnerable all those 1/4" copper tubes are. It's road debris damage to those tubes that makes leaving the tank valve open while towing a bad idea.

Not bad enough to make me shut the valve, however.

Zep

My point exactly. You choose to accept the risk (and why not?) and I choose not to (and why not?). Everyone's a winner.

Thanks, Zep

[m.hony]

In that scenario, would anything happen other than $76 worth of propanes escaping into the air? The escaping gas would have to meet an ignition source to cause a fire.
I have heard stories of RV's burning down, but never what caused the fire.

[MrUKToad]

Originally Posted by m.hony

In that scenario, would anything happen other than $76 worth of propanes escaping into the air? The escaping gas would have to meet an ignition source to cause a fire.
I have heard stories of RV's burning down, but never what caused the fire.

That would the most likely outcome of a pipe fracture with the LPG valve open; no argument there.

If the pipe was fractured as the result of an accident then there would be a increased risk of an ignition source, maybe from friction. It's unlikely but it is possible, and that's the risk that's up for consideration. Small? Yes. Avoidable? Yes. You decide.

[m.hony]

If we are going to travel with propane off in the name of safety, then we should also use a harness for pets when traveling. We don't. Our cat just wanders around loose in the cab of the truck. I don't plan on having a wreck, but no one does...

[ZoominC6]

We think so and have been doing it for eleven years now and tens of thousands of miles. Happy trails!