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Old 09-20-2007, 02:25 AM   #1
bulbrich
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Refrigerator Safety

I will be heading out as a full time RV'er Oct 22nd. One question or concern I have is: Is it safe to leave the frig on LP while traveling. I have heard horror stories of fires while traveling. I relize either I pull everything out and put into a cooler, but that really doesnt make a lot of sense. The Frig stays pretty good for about 4 hrs in moderate temps, but if one is traveling in AZ, it could get pretty hot. I look forward to your replys and solutions.
 
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Old 09-20-2007, 03:02 AM   #2
dennisl
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I'm sure you will get opinions on both sides of this issue, but I think I can safely say that the majority travel with the fridge turned on (except when refueling). I have only been rv-ing for about 3 years, but we have always traveled with the fridge on and have not had any problems. I'm sure some have probably been doing it for 30 years without problems. Although I have also heard about fires caused by this, I think they are isolated incidents when you consider the number of rv's on the road and the huge number of miles they travel. Turning the fridge off would certainly be an inconvenience, but some do it for peace of mind. The bottom line is, it is your decision as to whether you feel safe or not. Good luck and happy travels.
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Old 09-20-2007, 03:02 AM   #3
boylanag
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Dometic was here at the MOC Rally yesterday and the speaker said that as long as we turned the gas off prior to tunnels and in fuel stations we were good to go. We travel with the gas on for the refrigerator. Enjoy the new journey.
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Old 09-20-2007, 08:46 AM   #4
Eagle Man
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The refrig and the camper are designed to run with the refrig on. We've been doing it since the early 70s, never had a problem.
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Old 09-20-2007, 11:07 AM   #5
Capt Kidd
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Well I have had a motorhome burn to the ground because I ran the fridge while traveling.

I had the propane tank filled in the valley, a 90 degree day, and we headed to the hills. Driving down a dirt road at about 4,000 feet I heard a loud "whee" noise and looked in the side mirror and holy S**T the whole back was on fire.

Slamed on the brakes and bailed out the front door. I had 4 teenage boys with me. We were on our way to a Search and Rescue training weekend. We stood in the road and watched as it burned until the 357 rounds started popping off and then we ducked.

The best we were able to figure is the "whee" noise was the saftey vavle popping open and then sticking.

In as much as the propane tank was located along side the frame about 4 feet in front of where the fridge was located and of course it was on, had to keep the beer cold, the propane flowing back down the side of the motorhome ignited when it got by the fridge vent.

Those things sure burn up in a hurry.

I still drove with the fridge on in the replacement motorhome and also in my new 5er. I think the big difference is the location of the propane tanks.

This is one of the reasons I have asked about driving with the heater on.
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Old 09-20-2007, 03:58 PM   #6
bncinwv
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There are other threads with more discussions on the same topic. Personally, I travel with it on. Our Monty is in a storage lot so we go the day before a trip, turn fridge on, then load fridge before we leave. It is definitely a personal decision, if you are comfortable with it, so be it, if you are going to obsess constantly while travelling it would be better on your nerves to leave it off and go the cooler route. Good luck on your choice.
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Old 09-20-2007, 04:59 PM   #7
clutch
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We travel with ours on. No problems since 79.
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Old 09-22-2007, 12:11 PM   #8
Montana Sky
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I travel with my fridge on as well.
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Old 09-22-2007, 02:05 PM   #9
exav8tr
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I personally turn my propane off when I travel. Three or four hours of travelling with fridge off does not seem to make much difference in temp. I've read that some states require it off when you traverse a tunnel. I recently drove 199 from Medford, OR to Crescent City, CA and went through two tunnels. I don't know if OR or CA require it. I guess it is a personal choice. I choose to turn it off while running. Although a fire with resulting explosion is remote, this is my only home and don't feel that I should jeopardize my, or my DW's safety.
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Old 09-22-2007, 07:36 PM   #10
MAMalody
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My refer runs very well, however, last time I took a 3/5 hour run with the refer off, the temp went from 40 degrees to 64 degrees. That is a fairly significant change. Because the refers are absorption, it takes hours to get the temp back down. Now, it is a pain to stop and turn off the propane when taking on fuel, however, that is the price you must pay if you are going to travel with your refer on...so that's what I do.
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Old 09-24-2007, 04:06 PM   #11
mamashappy
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we travel with it on also. No probs.
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Old 09-26-2007, 05:42 PM   #12
Bill and Lisa
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Ahhh one of the beauties or bennies of having a Rear Kitchen - far from the propane tanks and when I refuel the truck the fridge is so far away from the pump it is not funny. Granted I normally pull out and pass by a pump but any "pockets" of vapor are well disturbed by the time my fridge reaches them.

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Old 09-26-2007, 06:01 PM   #13
RC and Samantha
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We also travel with our fridge on. We have a rear kitchen too, but our fridge is not as far back as Bill and Lisa's is. We've been in some really hot weather and without it being on I'm sure we'd have had the food in the fridge reach and unsafe temp.

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