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coairstream · 12-25-2015, 12:30 AM

My 1987 Airstream 290 has a newer style fridge that has a electronic ignition. The hot water heater has also been upgraded to a electronic igniter. I was told to turn off the LP by twisting the knob on the tank, turning off the fridge and turn off the pilot light in the bathroom. My concern is doesn't it keep burning until it gets rid of what's in the pipe? Am I missing anything or does that sound right?

Thanks everyone and Merry Christmas

dwightdi · 12-25-2015, 06:34 AM

The gas in the line will stay there, unless the wh or refrig calls for it to turn on. That is why you turn off the electricity to them in addition to shutting off the gas at the tank. Many people still risk it and keep the appliances running full time while they gas up. ??

AnnArborBob · 12-25-2015, 09:24 AM

The proper and safest way to gas up your motorhome is to turn both the fridge and hot water heater off before pumping gas to prevent either of these appliances trying to start during the fill up process - i.e., igniting. If you do this, then there is no danger if the propane valve is left open. If you leave the appliances on and simply shut off the propane, they might try to start by firing their igniters a couple of times even if there is no propane present to light and that could ignite any gasoline fumes in the area.

coairstream · 12-25-2015, 12:45 PM

Thanks guys! All great info!! I can see how some people would "risk it". I'll follow your advice.

cwf · 12-25-2015, 01:33 PM

Yup.. Even on our 34"..at the Diesel islands for real trucks... A few minutes "off" will not hurt...

Inland RV Center, In · 12-25-2015, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coairstream

My 1987 Airstream 290 has a newer style fridge that has a electronic ignition. The hot water heater has also been upgraded to a electronic igniter. I was told to turn off the LP by twisting the knob on the tank, turning off the fridge and turn off the pilot light in the bathroom. My concern is doesn't it keep burning until it gets rid of what's in the pipe? Am I missing anything or does that sound right?

Thanks everyone and Merry Christmas

Cody.

A correction, if you wish of what you call the appliance that provides hot water.

Since it heats "COLD" water, it's called a water heater or a cold water heater

Water heaters of every kind and description are never called "hot water" heaters.

Why?? You heat cold water, never hot water.

Merry Christmas

Andy

Frank's Trailer Works · 12-26-2015, 05:34 AM

I am not telling anyone to break the rules...
However...
I challenge anyone to find a report of a trailer blowing up because the fridge was on, at the gas station. Out of boredom I tried. I went 30 pages deep into Google trying. Not one case of a trailer blowing up due to the fridge being on at a gas station. I did find many cases of trailers blowing up due to onboard propane fill ups going wrong, gasoline fill ups gone wrong, and or connections being made inside the trailer even though code does not allow it.
If the gasoline fumes have accumulated to the height of your fridge's burner, you have a whole lot more to worry about than the fridge. Your electric brakes, engine heat, even static on your clothing is probably going to set it off before the pilot on the fridge will. I would worry more about starting the tow vehicle than the fridge if that much gasoline fumes are present.
Also diesel has to be warmed and compressed to ignite. The fumes would never be an issue. This is one reason truckers never shut down when they fill up.

Continue to do as you feel comfortable with. You are following the rules by turning off the units before filling up. Just know this is all based on a possibility not an actual reality. I bet the percentage of people towing with the fridge on is very high. I, personally, have for the past 56,000 miles.

nrgtrakr · 12-26-2015, 08:47 AM

So this never happened ...
http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20...CLES/100329598

xrvr · 12-26-2015, 08:51 AM

He didn't use the pump properly. He spewed gas. If you try hard enough, it can happen. Common sense.

tjdonahoe · 12-26-2015, 09:05 AM

I never have shut the gas off when fueling, 30 feet from fuel nozzle to frige, one advantage of diesel...

A W Warn · 12-26-2015, 09:20 AM

I'm guilty of towing the trailer with the fridge on, and adding fuel. Been doing this for more than 25 years. Though, I am always looking at the location before I stop. If there is a tanker unloading (creating exhaust fumes from the underground tank) or my trailer will have to stop next to a pump (where fridge vent/access door could be near someone pumping fuel), I move on to another location.

If there is an accidental spill while I'm doing this, I know I could be toast!

Frank's Trailer Works · 12-26-2015, 10:39 AM

[QUOTE=nrgtrakr;1727763]So this never happened ...
Gas-station fire destroys Indiana couple’s RV | HoumaToday.com[/QUOTE/)

the nozzle spewed gasoline, igniting when it came into contact with a pilot light on the RV.

So as I am filling my truck, I walk the nozzle over 30 feet back and spew it all over my water heater door. Yep, that could happen.

joemikeb · 12-26-2015, 02:16 PM

[QUOTE=Frank's Trailer Works;1727801]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nrgtrakr

So this never happened ...
Gas-station fire destroys Indiana couple’s RV | HoumaToday.com[/QUOTE/)

the nozzle spewed gasoline, igniting when it came into contact with a pilot light on the RV.

So as I am filling my truck, I walk the nozzle over 30 feet back and spew it all over my water heater door. Yep, that could happen.

I take it you have never heard of Murphy's Law?

Shacksman · 12-26-2015, 03:43 PM

[QUOTE=Frank's Trailer Works;1727801]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nrgtrakr

So this never happened ...
Gas-station fire destroys Indiana couple’s RV | HoumaToday.com[/QUOTE/)

the nozzle spewed gasoline, igniting when it came into contact with a pilot light on the RV.

So as I am filling my truck, I walk the nozzle over 30 feet back and spew it all over my water heater door. Yep, that could happen.

Frank, I thought you learned that you can't be right on here

nrgtrakr · 12-26-2015, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nrgtrakr

So this never happened ...
http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20...CLES/100329598

If the appliance had been off, what would have happened?

Frank's Trailer Works · 12-26-2015, 08:44 PM

[QUOTE=Shacksman;1727932]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank's Trailer Works

Frank, I thought you learned that you can't be right on here

The thing I have not learned is to just not post. I have refrained for months, first time back I am squared away by the same guy who did it before. I think I will go back to minding my own business. Life is a lot easier that way.

rideair · 12-26-2015, 09:02 PM

Frank,

I know you have a very high IQ, but that means nothing here!

Time to move along,

Oh, Merry Christmas!

Enjoy

Meeks · 12-26-2015, 09:48 PM

[QUOTE=Frank's Trailer Works;1728034]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shacksman

The thing I have not learned is to just not post. I have refrained for months, first time back I am squared away by the same guy who did it before. I think I will go back to minding my own business. Life is a lot easier that way.

Don't know the history here but I appreciated what you wrote, Frank. Thanks for posting.

xrvr · 12-27-2015, 04:40 AM

[QUOTE=Frank's Trailer Works;1728034]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shacksman

The thing I have not learned is to just not post. I have refrained for months, first time back I am squared away by the same guy who did it before. I think I will go back to minding my own business. Life is a lot easier that way.

Don't let the few juveniles on here turn you away. I enjoy your posts. Personal attacks aren't allowed..

khollister · 12-27-2015, 06:20 AM

I sometimes wonder how people manage to get through life given their obsession with being 100% risk free. Personally, worrying about your fridge running while towing is up there with "you're going to kill yourself and everyone around you if you ... don't use a Hensley/drive faster than 55 MPH/unplug the shore power without turning the breakers off/etc."

Driving is inherently dangerous - driving towing a 8000 lb trailer is somewhat more so. If you can't accept the risk versus reward balance, then don't do it. I sometimes wonder if these same individuals wear a helmet in the shower, use a seatbelt on the toilet, don't use cell phones and drive everywhere in an armored SUV with run-flat tires.

I happen to agree 100% with Frank on this - absolutely no evidence for the assertion that your fridge will light off gasoline vapors in anything resembling normal refueling practice (i.e. not spraying fuel all over the vehicle).