Propane on?

[jcurtis934]

It would take a propane leak that allowed vapors to be in the area and a source like someone lighting up a cigarette, etc for a problem. I just always turn mine off when traveling so that I don't supply my own spark somehow or end up next to the "been smoking next to gas pumps and ain't blowed myself up yet" person. Yeah, a little parinoid... john

[Jimmer]

I travel with mine on. I am careful when fueling to make sure my 5th wheel is not close to the fuel pumps.

[Rspradling]

I bet the vehicles that are powered by propane have their tanks open.

[rohrmann]

Only difference with propane fueled vehicles is, they have internal combustion engines, where RV's have spark igniters or open flames exposed to the atmosphere which could have vapors of gasoline.

[rames14]

We normally travel with ours on. However, on our Alaska trip, we were informed of hefty fines in Canada for traveling with propane on. By Whitehorse, they were running checkpoints. Perhaps our northern brethren might chime in.

[BB_TX]

The primary concern with propane on while traveling is not while actually moving, but in stopping for fuel. Some are concerned that the spark or flame could ignite gasoline vapors in the area. But gasoline vapors are heavier than air and sink to the ground. Whereas the fridge vent is 3-4 ft above the ground. And those vapors would have to travel some distance thru the air from a vehicle being fueled over to, and enter, the fridge vent while maintaining adequate concentration to ignite. The likelyhood of that happening is very remote. And considering that when the truck is at the pump, the fridge is well back behind that point, 20-30 ft?.

And if you stop at diesel only pumps, then it is a moot point as diesel does not produce explosive fumes as gasoline does.

Canada is more strict apparently.

[Ragtacker]

[quote]Originally posted by rames14

We normally travel with ours on. However, on our Alaska trip, we were informed of hefty fines in Canada for traveling with propane on. By Whitehorse, they were running checkpoints. Perhaps our northern brethren might chime in.
[/quote
Lived up here all my life and RV'd for over 40 years never ever seen or heard of a check point for propane being on while travelling. The only time you cannot have propane turned on is if you are on a ferry and that is standard procedure on your ferries as well. The only check stops on our highways are for drinking and driving or very occaisionally the dept of transport will be looking for unsafe loads or overloaded commercial trucks rv ers are little fish that dont generally attract any attention from the authorities. Yes mine is always on.

[Bill and Jan]

Propane off when traveling. Why take a chance? Fridge stays nice and cold.

[Lenny K]

I usually travel with the fridge in auto mode and the inverter turned on. Having solar keeps the batteries charged and saves on propane while keeping the fridge cool.

[Art-n-Marge]

It's not the propane being on that's the problem, it's the devices that USE propane that's the problem! The fridge, furnace, hot water heater, or whatever else using a sparking igniter to work and this is where the problems can occur. This can be unsafe at gas stations and in tunnels, so being aware of this, turn off the propane or the devices that spark prior to a tunnel or refuel is needed.

I use to travel with propane on, but even with fulltiming, have stopped doing this, but only because I don't travel far from place to place. When traveling, the fridge stays closed and the contents stay cold. It only takes 20 minutes for the hot water tank to get hot, and I've never travelled in cold to warrant the furnace.

Just think about where not to have a spark and you'll be fine. Of course, some will argue that in case of an accident and a propane line is severed that could get real bad.

[DQDick]

quote:Originally posted by Art-n-Marge
[brOf course, some will argue that in case of an accident and a propane line is severed that could get real bad.

Once you junk the OEM tires, having a tire come apart and tearing the propane line out becomes less of an issue.