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Old 05-26-2018, 09:46 PM   #1
Duramax
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Running refrigerator on lp while driving

I’m wondering if I could turn my fridge on at home and run it on lp while traveling? It always takes so long to get cold once at the campsite. My neighbor does this. Just wondering if it’s safe to do?
 
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Old 05-26-2018, 09:58 PM   #2
MARK A
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I do it, probably a good idea to not run it at a fuel station.

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Old 05-26-2018, 10:04 PM   #3
Carl n Susan
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The vast majority of us RVers do it that way. If the refer is set to "Auto" it will prefer shore power but when that disappears, it automatically switches to propane. You can get it cool at home, on electricity/propane, before loading, then keep it cool on propane until you get to the campground where shore power, if available, will take over once again.

Be aware there are situation where you have to turn off all propane usage (tunnels, ferries) but the refer will not lose too much coldness. Some don't travel with the propane off. Leaving it off while traveling will not cause a significant temperature drop if the contents were cold already. The popular reason for turning it off while traveling is the
concern about a propane line breaking along the way. However the safety valve in the pigtail will shut off the flow if the line is compromised.

Bottom line, lots travel with it on, some don't. It is up to you.
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Old 05-26-2018, 11:38 PM   #4
offroad71
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Always travel with it on. When I had a camper I always turned it off when refueling.
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Old 05-27-2018, 12:23 AM   #5
Texan
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If you took an survey i believe you would find way more than half who travel with their fridge running. If you travel a long day in very high temperature you will see the fridge warming up significantly with the fridge off. I choose on.
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Old 05-27-2018, 02:18 AM   #6
jeffba
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When we had an LP refer, it was on the checklist to relight it each time we stopped.
Do not miss that with res refer.
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Old 05-27-2018, 07:03 AM   #7
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We don't run on LP. We freeze some quart containers (or milk jugs will work) and put in the fridge when traveling. Have drove some long days in high heat and had plenty of ice left.
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Old 05-27-2018, 07:14 AM   #8
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Dura,

We cool down our reefer at least 12 hours before departing and load it with cold food. Typically we travel with the gas and reefer on also.
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Old 05-27-2018, 08:05 AM   #9
DanandBrenda
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We travel with gas on always.
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Old 05-27-2018, 08:07 AM   #10
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Never do it. As stated many do, but if you check the RV tech folks from the major magazines and on line you'll find they recommend against it.
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Old 05-27-2018, 08:42 AM   #11
kdeiss
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[QUOTE=GLS3950;1099830]We don't run on LP. We freeze some quart containers (or milk jugs will work) and put in the fridge when traveling. Have drove some long days in high heat and had plenty of ice left]

We do the same with Blue Packs while traveling keep 2 in freezer 2 down below when we make the over night stop and on shore power put all 4 in the freezer. Then move two down in the Am Works for us for a lot of years.
We only carry enough food for travel, stock up when we arrive at our destination
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Old 05-27-2018, 08:58 AM   #12
Kyle and Lisa
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Being full time we always leave ours in the auto mode also, although we only travel 2-3 hours at a time every week or two and we keep it full as possible so it doesn't have to work as hard to cool.
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Old 05-27-2018, 09:26 AM   #13
Beau2010
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We can plug the rig in at our storage lot a few days before departing so the refer is cold and full when we leave. I leave the LP on when traveling and since we have about 800 miles fuel range with this truck, don't need to refuel while hooked up. If we have to traverse a tunnel or use a ferry, would turn it off the but not otherwise.
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Old 05-27-2018, 09:40 AM   #14
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Always turn ours on the day before we leave so that it is cold when we leave. And then run it in auto until we return home, meaning it runs on propane while we are on the road.

I do not turn mine off when fueling. The fridge is no where near the fuel nozzle. To cause a fire would mean gasoline fumes would have to travel from a nozzle across that substantial distance to the fridge, enter the fridge vent, and reach the flame, while maintaining a maintaining a density level adequate to support combustion. That possibility is extremely remote. And gasoline fumes are heavier than air making that likelihood even less so. And diesel fumes are not explosive. So if you fuel at diesel only pumps then it ain't gonna happen.
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Old 05-27-2018, 10:48 AM   #15
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DW always uses the RV refer as her "pantry" in the warm months, always traveled with the LP on. Residential refer now, love it, i dont have to drag a cooler along anymore
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Old 05-27-2018, 11:51 AM   #16
waynemoore
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Always travel with the propane on. I live in AZ and can travel for several hundreds of miles in 100 plus temperatures before getting into cooler country.
Even then it can get up there in the north as well as in the southwest. We like to drive 300 to 350 miles a day that's 6 to 8 hours and in my mind far to long to let the frig be on off.

But that is just me.
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Old 05-29-2018, 03:17 PM   #17
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I used to then spoke to a Fire Marshal and stopped bc if the tank is off and you get in an accident or there is some sort of electric issues no problem but if you get in any sort of accident and the lines are open well you won’t have to worry about the camper anymore. I know it is rare but if your lines are open with propane running thru them a lot more chance something can happen.

In some states I think it is even illegal as it is considered a Hazmat chemical
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