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Cracker · 04-15-2011, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Not Done

Our new Dometic fridge shuts off for 15 minutes when the TV engine is shut off. This is "to allow for refueling". Which would imply that Dometic expects the fridge to be on while traveling.

That sounds like a nice attempt at an automatic safety feature - and, no doubt, it would probably work about 99% of the time. There's just that one time when you have to pre-pay because the pump credit card function isn't working, you make a potty stop before returning to the vehicle, etc. and the 15-minute time-out expires! An unlikely scenario but I hate relying on mechanical/electronic safety devices to take over functions that I think I should perform myself. On the other hand, it's a great "back-up" feature for those times when we forget. I always travel with the frig on and, even though I run diesel, if I stop to refuel while towing I turn it off. My best day is one where I can find a diesel pump to fill up at after dropping the Airstream off at the campground! We often run less that 300 miles/day - which is an easy reach on a 34 gallon tank.

3 Dog Nite · 04-15-2011, 11:46 AM

For the request of the pump fire video, I don't know how to post a link. If you go to Youtube & seach gas pump static fire, it will come up first. There is more than 1 video listed there. The first video is not graphic, but it gets the point across. I haven't watched any of the other videos.
Ricky

RickDavis · 04-15-2011, 12:10 PM

We have always run with the propane on in our 40 years with RV's.. Since we are also boondockers we operate the fridge on propane almost all the time.. We never have had problems with the fridge and the one in this trailer is probably at least 30 years old.
Certainly it is a good idea to shut it off when fueling near a gas pump on a windless day. I usually fuel at truck pumps that are diesel only
Most of these refrigerators are struggling to keep up in 100 degree weather and if driving long days I wouldn't want to depend on mine to preserve my food for 12 or 14 hours of off time.

I have personally only seen one case of a fire at a gas pump (after it happened)and my understanding it was the water heater pilot which was responsible. That was at a flying J in Wytheville, Va quite a few years ago

I am sure it happens from time to time but is probably a lesser risk than many other things we do

aftermath · 04-15-2011, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3 Dog Nite

For the request of the pump fire video, I don't know how to post a link. If you go to Youtube & seach gas pump static fire, it will come up first. There is more than 1 video listed there. The first video is not graphic, but it gets the point across. I haven't watched any of the other videos.
Ricky

I saw the video but missed "the point." I thought we were talking about fires caused by leaving the refrigerator running. The first woman was lucky but I doubt that even if she had a trailer attached, it would have caught fire in this case.

So, show me one single case where a running refrigerator broke into flame while at a refueling stop. Sure, it "could" happen but so could a meteor strike happen, or a lightning bolt hit. I think this falls in with talking on a cell phone concerns.

Zigidachs · 04-15-2011, 01:12 PM

Here are some examples of gas station fires. In one case the guy tried to refuel a aux. gas can in the bed of his truck, but it was a METAL one, not plastic.

The other two involved static electricity and women---usually those who return to their cars to replace their credit cards of check on the kids, etc.

The occurrences are not common. However.....the issue focuses on awareness of the danger and to not take chances......I've seen enough badly burned people in my lifetime, and it is not a pretty situation.....

YouTube - Gas Pump Explosion Caused by Static Electricity

YouTube - Safety At Gas Stations-Static Effect!!Be Aware!

YouTube - Static Discharge

Zigi

aftermath · 04-15-2011, 01:21 PM

Thanks for the posts. More to think about.

noreen&sal · 04-15-2011, 01:24 PM

Maybe Im cheap but I just freeze several 2 litre bottles and put them in the freezer and refrigerator. Has worked for 12 hour trips in 90 degree weather. Sal.

Splitrock · 04-15-2011, 02:00 PM

My last RV was a "B" motorhome. I always towed with the refrigerator on gas. I'd start it up the day before leaving town and I turned it off when we unpacked when we got back home. That's how I did it with both my motorhomes.

RickDavis · 04-15-2011, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noreen

Maybe Im cheap but I just freeze several 2 litre bottles and put them in the freezer and refrigerator. Has worked for 12 hour trips in 90 degree weather. Sal.

A good idea. In our case we have a small fridge with a weeks worth of food and don't have the room. Maybe we could try a frozen roast and schedule it for dinner when it thaws

J5MM · 04-15-2011, 05:00 PM

We tow with the gas off. We are just paranoid I suppose but also we have found that once we put all of our food in the fridge and leave it turned on overnight -- the fridge turns into a cooler of sorts when we are towing and keeps the food relatively cool.

Scott J-24 · 04-17-2011, 06:34 PM

We just got back from our first weekend out in our AS. We towed with the refrigerator running on propane and had no problems what so ever. Since this was a short distance trip we didn't need to refuel. I presume that when we do need to refuel on a longer trip we just turn off the propane, fill up, pull away from the gas pumps, then turn the propane back on and the pilot light on the refrigerator will just relight. Thanks for all of the great advice and comments.

SilverBreeze · 04-17-2011, 07:20 PM

Never been a problem in almost 15,000 miles towing.

masseyfarm · 04-17-2011, 11:04 PM

As can be seen in the chart in the link below, in Canada, only the Province of Newfoundland does not allow travel with the propane on.
All propane must be turned off before refueling, or entering a closed structure. ie ferry, shop, etc.
http://www.rvhotlinecanada.com/RV-Re...c=rv-resources
Dave

UAPachyderm · 04-18-2011, 04:22 AM

My fridge stays on. A multitude of food born illnesses can result from storing perishable food at improper temperature (above 40 degrees) ... especially when temperatures exceed 40 degrees for more than one to two hours.

HCR · 04-18-2011, 07:31 AM

Perhaps I missed a post here that expressed concern about having an open LP gas container should a mishap (i.e., wreck) occur while towing.

RickDavis · 04-18-2011, 07:49 AM

Certainly that is a concern,, But so is having a tank of gasoline on your vehicle. There are certain risks in life and one just has to decide which are acceptable

Boondocker · 04-18-2011, 08:25 AM

Lynn might weigh in on this to confirm or dis-confirm, but I think I read the newer valves have check valves that shut down flow in the event of a line rupture.

Zigidachs · 04-18-2011, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HCR

Perhaps I missed a post here that expressed concern about having an open LP gas container should a mishap (i.e., wreck) occur while towing.

The biggest concern is an accident which would result in a fire igniting the propane sources: i.e. the AS propene tanks. A propane fire burns at an impressive >2000 degrees F or so....a friend of mine is a firefighter and he lost his entire home to a barbecue fire from a malfunctioning tank.....not pretty.

The other danger is igniting gasoline fumes at a filling station if you have your refer on LP; even if you fill with diesel, the propane fed ignition in the refer might ignite nearby fumes from another pump. The risk is low, but it can happen. See the previous posts (page #1 ) regarding gas station fires.

We simply keep the propane on while traveling.....it is a risk but minimal...however we stop before entering a gas station, enter the unit, tap the "off" button on the refer, refuel, and on exit from the station, reenter the AS, tap the "on" button, and off we go......perhaps a little hassle, but not really significant, since we can grab a snack and check on the interior of the AS.

With age, I have become less "bullet proof", and less "invincible" compared to my younger days!

genearnold · 04-18-2011, 10:21 AM

In the 28 years I've towed Airstreams I've always towed "on" with no problem. My Limited has the automatic "off" feature and my TV is a diesel so that may add a degree of safety. Can't fault those who err on the side of caution though.

Gene

Zia · 04-21-2011, 12:40 PM

Let me try to explain in layman terms.
Any explosion or fire only happen to the air/fuel mixture when the ignition source is available. However, air fuel mixture can only burn within the LEL (low explosion limit) and HEL (high explosion limit). What that mean if the mixture is too rich with fuel or too lean with air it will not ignite. The probability of having the correct air fuel ratio next to the refrigerator flame is exptremely low.
After said that, it is upto the folks to decide. I never turn off my refrigerator, even when refueling the TV.