fridge on while driving

[J Goertzen]

I've heard some people have their fridge on while driving down the road, using the propane from their tanks, is this safe??. I will be driving across Nevada in a few days and was wondering about this. I will have the fridge on before we leave, and at nights in RV parks, thanks, JG

[purman]

I drive with mine on.>>>> all the food would go bad if I didn't, It's safe as long as you don't hit something that rips off a propane line off... There is not much pressure going through the lines anyway.. My friend has even driven with the hot water tank on..

[Pahaska]

I have a remote thermometer installed in my refer. Anyone who tells you that the interior does not reach unsafe food storage temperatures on a hot summer day is fooling themselves. The refrigerator will go from mid-30s to mid 50s in a few Texas summer hours, even without the door ever being opened.

On a hot day, the food may still feel cool to the touch after traveling with no cooling, but the thermometer tells the real story. I have had food poisoning once and that was one time too many.

[ScottW]

I always cool my fridge down on shore power before a trip and then switch to propane when we leave. I always travel with the fridge ON. Even during fuel stops, I leave it on...diesel isn't that explosive and the fridge and the fuel receptacle on my truck are a long way apart. No problems.
Just MY humble opinion. Others have different ideas.

[dbradhstream]

Our fridge is always on while traveling (on gas) and also while stored (on electric).

[dbradhstream]

Heaven forbid we get to our destination and I have to set up while swigging warm beer! 'Nuf said.

[centennialman]

I travel with it off. I use blue ice to keep things cold during transit. I would rather be safe than sorry. I have seen a rig burning after an explosion on the highway....

[airstream66]

I am a newbie and I have only owned mine a few years, but I cannot get the thing to stay lit while driving. I tried it a few times and decided it was not worth the risk. Mine is a 66, and has an air inlet underneath, which lets the wind blow in. I don't know about yours. If I could get mine to stay lit and be safe, I would appreciate knowing how as well.

[purman]

Was it from the fridge. I was told it is perfectly safe.... The blow up at the gas station is a myth. Kind of like the cell phone can blow up the gas pump... They disproved it on Myth Busters.. Maybe they need to do the travel trailer fridge blowing up while driving Myth.....


Even if you were hit the gas coming out of a line would just cause a small flame... It wouldn't blow up the tank, the flame can't travel up the line.. And propane tanks are hard to blow up...

I've tried with my old style valve one.. Even a 9mm full metal jacket bullet wouldn't go through the tank.. .22 no chance, shot gun, forget it... my 30-06 was the only thing that would put a hole in the tank..

So got off subject, but feel safe driving with your fridge on.

[Mikethefixit]

We always run with ours on propane. We have a diesel and there is not danger. If I drop a match in diesel fuel it will go out(the match that is). It takes alot of btu's to get fuel started. Its designed to be squeeeeeeezed before igniton can take place.
Gasoline fumes themselves can be ignited by static electricity from U sliding off the seat of your vechile.

[moosetags]

We always run with ours on. We've pulled Lucy over 33,000 miles in the last 2 years.

[yakman]

I vote for-cold beer and cheese upon arrival!

There's more danger in your tow vehicle catching on fire after a crash than the trailer imho.

We spend too much money on food for our trips than to risk it going bad. When we took delivery the RV Tech said that we could get the fridge cold before we left, then if we stopped at Cracker Barrel etc., we could kick the fridge back on for an hour or so, let it cool down again and then turn it off while back on the road... I don't know about your fridge, but ours is run by little gnomes that don't work while you're watching them... that fridge does not drop a degree until you close that trailer door and go do something else! I heard his advice as legal mumbo jumbo. It sounds like a large number of us run with the fridge on..

Did I mention cold beer?

-yakman

[Relentless]

Cold beer is the key. We always leave the 'fridge on while on the road.

John

[ROBERT CROSS]

Would it make sense to go on a cross country trip and have to eat someones else's cooking?

Or would we feel safer turning it off, and then eating the food inside?

Keep that reefer lit. ... and be safe when you get the munchies.



Airstream66,
The only way we could keep our 63 Safari's lit while traveling was to cover the lower vent opening, there was always enough air movement around the coils to keep the fridge cold, just remember to remove the cover when parked

Worked for us, maybe someone else has a better idea.

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by J Goertzen

... fridge on while driving...is this safe??.

hi jg...

the fridge in my unit is ON 24/7/365...

except when this question pops up...

'cuze some of the answers are highly flammable!...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f425...ing-35314.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f287...-on-31294.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f287...nks-24561.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f287...off-27769.html

and DO NOT read this last link, without the rubberduckysoaponaropefireaxe nearby...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f44/...ory-39388.html

so how come noone ever asks..."is it OK to take a shower while the trailer is being tow'd"


cheers
2air'

[warbler5]

We always travel with ours on....but, I would sure feel safer with a 3-way refrigerator. Before leaving on a trip, we use electric to cool the fridge down, then switch to gas before leaving. I was surprised that Airstream didn't include a 3-way in the package

[mustang]

I have traveled with my frige on propane for years. Not a problem. The cause for concerne is at fuel stops. I always put mine out before fueling. Then leave the station or move away from the pumps at the truckstops and relight.

[romap]

We use shore power to get things cold before the trip, then switch to gas before hitting the road. The fridge is turned off before pulling up to the gas pumps though. Better safe than sorry.

[SafariSS]

I had a three way fridge in a coleman popup once, and while it did work the performance was notably less on just 12v. The gas always rendered the best performance, following by 120v.

I think my big dometic runs best on Gas also, I want to add some forced ventilation to improve cooling on hot summer days.

[JerryMcMunn]

We also travel with our refrigerator on. It seems clear that there is a hypothetical danger but it doesn't seem clear the risk level is very high.