OK to Leave Water Heater Pilot Lit While Driving?

[John&Vicki]

I'm sure this has been discussed here but I searched and couldn't find it (of course I haven't had my tea yet this morning).

My trailer has a 6-gallon water heater that requires you to go outside to light the pilot light. No big deal, but I can be dumb and lazy about some things. Until now I've assumed that I should turn it off while driving - or at least before getting gas. I have read the discussions on the pro's and con's of turning off the propane while driving and decided to leave it on. What about the water heater?

Thanks,
Poppy

[AtomicNo13]

If your heater is similar to the newer DSI units.... it would appear there is lots of air entering the unit. Turbulance will most likely enter around the door and the exhaust port and blow out the pilot nullifying any convenience of leaving it lit while driving.

[SteveH]

Yes, when I had that type of water heater, of course I always forgot to turn it off, but it always blew out on the road anyway. Guess the proper way to do it would be to turn it off, but it was just not something I worried about. What was worrisome, was the wife asking about 8:30 in the evening if I had lit the water heater.

[idroba]

I doubt it would stay lighted in any event. But aside from that, the heat loss of the water heater due to the airflow through it is very high, and leaving it on while traveling would make it much worse. In other words it would use a lot of extra propane with the burner coming on and off when no water was being used. DSI water heaters are soooooo very nice. Love that switch.