|
|
09-02-2016, 12:14 PM
|
#21
|
Rivet Master
1976 31' Sovereign
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,017
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by dquarasr
I can see both sides of the debate, although I am definitely interested in having the lines open for convenience of having a cold fridge at destination.
Understood that it was designed to run while the trailer is in motion. But what about, heaven forbid, if in an accident? It is entirely conceivable that the propane tanks can get separated from the trailer, rupturing the lines, and at that point, the tanks are open to the air. Of course, even with the tanks closed, in an accident the tanks could rupture, so having them off in an accident guarantees nothing.
I'm still on the fence. I am leaning toward the convenience vs. the chance of a severe accident causing a leak.
|
If lines are ruptured or any sudden leak the new valves on tanks that are mandatory, flow ceases, [open one w/out hose connected there will be no flow of gas], only way would cause fire or explosion if valves get nocked off tank, as far as rupture would be very severe impact to rupture steel or aluminum tanks as they are designed and manuf. to withstand severe impact.
|
|
|
09-02-2016, 12:52 PM
|
#22
|
Silver Spud
1975 31' Sovereign
Twin Falls
, Idaho
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 65
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by featherbedder
If lines are ruptured or any sudden leak the new valves on tanks that are mandatory, flow ceases, [open one w/out hose connected there will be no flow of gas], only way would cause fire or explosion if valves get nocked off tank, as far as rupture would be very severe impact to rupture steel or aluminum tanks as they are designed and manuf. to withstand severe impact.
|
Exactly. I run with the fridge on and will comply with shut off at the appropriate areas.
|
|
|
09-02-2016, 01:06 PM
|
#23
|
New Member
1986 32' Excella
Kiel
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 3
|
I leave gas on while underway. I would be curious to hear from anyone anywhere about any real problems with leaving it on. Are there any reports about people leaving the gas on while underway and some major catastrophe occurring?
|
|
|
09-02-2016, 01:17 PM
|
#24
|
Rivet Master
2015 27' Flying Cloud
Newberg
, Oregon
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 1,052
|
In life, stuff happens. I prefer to err on the side of safety.
Mike
|
|
|
09-02-2016, 01:31 PM
|
#25
|
4 Rivet Member
2018 22' Sport
Airstream Coach - Other
ancramdale
, New York
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 294
|
i leave mine on when traveling,it cools off fast when propane is shut off on a sometimes 5 to 6 hour ferry crossing...it will not stay on electric...i use a cooler to put certain things on ice...so,i just turn it off when i really have to by law!!!
|
|
|
09-02-2016, 01:59 PM
|
#26
|
Rivet Master
2000 25' Safari
Davidson County
, NC Highlands County, FL
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,493
|
I have towed many hundreds, if not thousands, of days with the fridge running. I've done it every time I've towed, for more than 20 years.
I think there is less risk to me while towing with the gas on and fridge running than when I'm inside the trailer sleeping with the gas on and fridge running. Neither is 100% safe. Both have negligible risk. Both are done all of the time. Of course there are always exceptions, like fuel stations, filling a generator near the fridge, etc, that require extra care.
I've never seen any instruction from a refrigerator manufacturer that says not to use their product while the vehicle is moving. Has anyone?
__________________
Alan
2014 Silverado LTZ 1500 Crew Cab 5.3L maximum trailering package
|
|
|
09-02-2016, 03:19 PM
|
#27
|
Site Team
2017 30' International
Broomfield
, Colorado
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,555
|
It's also safer not to drive your car with highly flammable gasoline flowing freely and under pressure from the gas tank located in the rear through fuel lines under the car to the engine located in the front
|
|
|
09-02-2016, 03:51 PM
|
#28
|
Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Mantua
, Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,062
|
I'm so paranoid that I remove the tanks and buy new ones when I get to the campsite. I also don't use the toilet because I don't want to get my hands dirty dumping it. We don't cook in the trailer because we don't want to get it smelly. Sorry!
|
|
|
09-02-2016, 03:55 PM
|
#29
|
4 Rivet Member
2017 27' Flying Cloud
London
, Ontario
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 250
|
Safety is a two way street. Spoiled food can also harm people, not just fires/explosions. It then comes down to the relative frequency of these events. Is it more common to die from a LP explosion heading down the road than it is from sepsis due to bacterial infection? My impression is that the latter is probably more common. Perhaps this is an argument to keep the fridge running while towing? YMMV.
|
|
|
09-02-2016, 04:05 PM
|
#30
|
Master of Universe
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Grand Junction
, Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 12,711
|
First of all, propane does not explode. It does catch fire when released if there is a spark or a flame where the propane is.
Second, the fridge is designed to run while moving. The companies that make the fridges would have big stickers on the front of the fridge saying "Do not run while in motion" if there was danger because their lawyers would insist on it.
Third, the recommendation from Ontario fire fighters is out of date because fridges don't seem to come with a 12 v. option any more. Three-way fridges were available a dozen years ago however.
Fourth, the fridge is located on the side opposite most tow vehicle gas fillers. Anyway, why does the presence of gasoline mean the propane will catch fire? Gasoline usually does not catch fire at a fuel pump and why would that ignite the fridge or the tanks?
Fifth, how many RV propane tanks have you heard of catching fire on the road or at a gas station?
If you want to reduce risk, tow with a bicycle.
Gene
|
|
|
09-02-2016, 04:49 PM
|
#31
|
Rivet Master
1976 31' Sovereign
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,017
|
There was barn fire by me w/large propane tank that had old style valves. Lines melted gas escape made nice blow torch flame.water was not sprayed on tank just left alone did not take off like rocket just sat there and gas burned. This tank was full so burned for a while.
|
|
|
09-02-2016, 05:03 PM
|
#32
|
Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 26
Morrill
, Nebraska
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,014
|
IMHO the risk of a fire at a gas station is greater when you are handling the nozzle and create a spark when you touch the nozzle to the vehicle. There are plenty of warning signs about static electricity around gasoline fuel pumps. That is one of the reasons you are supposed to sit portable gas cans on the ground when filling.
|
|
|
09-02-2016, 05:22 PM
|
#33
|
Rivet Master
2008 27' International FB
Petaluma
, California
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,357
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gene
Fourth, the fridge is located on the side opposite most tow vehicle gas fillers. Anyway, why does the presence of gasoline mean the propane will catch fire? Gasoline usually does not catch fire at a fuel pump and why would that ignite the fridge or the tanks?
.
Gene
|
I tow with gas and fridge on and fill at truck or AG diesel islands so it's no factor for me. However, the factor at gas islands is someone being careless and dumping gasoline on the ground by mistake. At that point there is vapor as the gasoline evaporates and if it's a hot windless day the fumes could be dense enough to ignite if your fridge or hot water heater happens to commence ignition while the coach is in the vapor cloud. If I stop at a regular gas station I reach in the coach door and kill power mains until departure which eliminates the chance of ignition. -Brad
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
__________________
Looking for adventure in whatever comes our way.
- Brad
|
|
|
09-02-2016, 05:41 PM
|
#34
|
Rivet Master
1973 Argosy 24
hartselle
, Alabama
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 582
|
I have pulled with one tank open and fridge on for the last 15 years. Rode in motorhomes with much larger tanks that were never shut off my entire childhood.
|
|
|
09-02-2016, 06:14 PM
|
#35
|
2 Rivet Member
2019 25' Flying Cloud
Sparks
, Nevada
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 47
|
I've had it on Propane most times, but one time, when i got to my destination, the fridge had shut off anyway, not sure why. Maybe too much bouncing around or not level?
So now i leave it off and bring an ice chest for the food till i get to the campground. Have done only short trips so far. When we go on longer trips, maybe i'll try with the propane on again.
|
|
|
09-02-2016, 06:39 PM
|
#36
|
Rivet Master
2019 27' International
2014 25' International
2006 23' Safari SE
Boulder City
, Nevada
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,703
|
Stop by with a six pack of IPA micro brewery beer and we can talk about it.
If you want the long discussion... bring two six packs. I will be asleep after the third beer. End of my discussion.
More people die from food poisoning than exploding refrigerators.
__________________
Human Bean
|
|
|
09-02-2016, 07:58 PM
|
#37
|
New Member
Port Carling
, Ontario
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 4
|
If your worried about propane just remember it burns cooler then diesel and most trucks have plastic tanks. We pull with fridge on and never worry. If there is a fire the whole unit will be a loss and not just the trailer. Gas also burns with more explosive power then propane. The propane is not a risk compared to other drivers on the road
|
|
|
09-02-2016, 08:28 PM
|
#38
|
Master of Universe
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Grand Junction
, Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 12,711
|
Gasoline is highly volatile. That's what makes it a very good fuel. When there's a spill anywhere, it quickly goes from liquid to gas and dissipates quickly into the air. The concentration in the air is minor and it disappears so quickly that a spark would have to happen very close to the spill. Even then, I doubt much would happen.
You are more likely to get a spark from touching your vehicle when the humidity is very low, but it is pretty rare for gas vapor to ignite. The ignition often seems to happen where the pump nozzle touches the tank filler pipe, metal on metal where gasoline is present. Some of those parts are protected by plastic now.
The few times something happens are spectacular and remain imbedded in our minds. In a country of 330,000,000 (and add in billions more in the world) someone, someplace is going to have a fire. If propane fires caused at gas pumps were an issue, where are the stories and photos? How many people have suffered food poisoning from spoiled food in the fridge because the propane was off?
Nonetheless, and despite the many millions of miles of accident free towing, some places require propane tanks be turned off—ferries, some tunnels and bridges, some Canadian provinces (Manitoba and one of the Maritimes I believe).
Gene
|
|
|
09-02-2016, 09:06 PM
|
#39
|
Rivet Master
2013 31' Classic
billings
, Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,577
|
Towing Abel trailers since 1971, propane is on running the fridge and maybe the hot water, if below freezing, I might even run the furnace,.. Never had a problem...
|
|
|
09-02-2016, 10:18 PM
|
#40
|
Rivet Master
2008 27' International FB
Petaluma
, California
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,357
|
Hey Gene, good to see you back in the forums. Maybe we've just been in separate areas but I was wondering where you've been. This isn't a gas station and it's a fairly big spill by the looks of it but the blast from the vapor is quite impressive. If you see someone doing this nearby, turn off your fridge!
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
__________________
Looking for adventure in whatever comes our way.
- Brad
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|