Another take on traveling with the propane on.

[DQDick]

Someone who should know (not saying they do), mentioned that towing up or down long hills with the flame on the boiler could cause damage to the frig since the angle will be more than it should be for an extended length of time. Something to think about when towing in the mountains with the frig on propane.

[BB_TX]

Can't really say for certain. But we have towed ours to Colorado many times up and down mountain passes with the fridge always on propane and it still works like new after 9 years. Lucky? Or another urban legend?

[Irlpguy]

On many occasions I have pulled both trailers and 2 fifth wheels across southern BC where you encounter 4 different mountain ranges. This includes the highest highway mountain pass open all year round in Canada. I have always ran my fridge on propane during these trips and have absolutely no concern that the fridge would be damaged by being out of level.
Even the longest grades take no more than 1/2 hr to reach the summit and no longer than that to descend.

I do not know why some folks make these statements, they must stay awake at night dreaming up ridiculous idea's just to provide something to needlessly be worried about.

One of the few things I have not had trouble with in my many years of RVing is my fridge so I for one will not even think about it while traveling through the mountains.

[Starmaster]

In the FWIW department, most "modern" RV refrigerators are spec'd to be safe to operate +/- 3* side to side and +/-6* front to back. Since most of the frigs are installed facing the side of the rig, that means that a grade greater than 3* (which is 5.24%) would be operating outside of the specs.

I know there are several 6% and greater grades both out west and in the east. The real question is how long are you traversing these grades and is the frig in a cooling cycle at the time. A frig boiler can begin over heating in as little as 5 to 10 minutes depending on how out of level it is.

The damage done to the cooling unit boiler from overheating is usually not immediate, but cumulative over several cycles of overheating. This results in the formation of crystals inside the cooling unit that eventually plug it up to the point of preventing the circulation of the ammonia solution. This is what actually causes the failure.

To prevent overheating of the boiler there are really only two options. One, turn off the frig when traveling steep grades, or two, install a device that monitors the boiler temp and shuts it down if it begins to overheat.

The ARP refrigerator protector is such a device that does option two. It also can manage additional fans to improve performance. Here's a link that explains how the ARP works: https://www.arprv.com/how-does-arp-p...-my-fridge.php

I have no affiliation with ARP, just a user. We travel with the frig running on propane and rely on the ARP to prevent the overheating of the boiler.

Dave

[Phil P]

Starmaster has it correct.

Phil P

[twindman]

Starmaster,
If it takes 5 to 10 minutes to cause a problem, it would mean a 5% grade for 5 to 10 miles. I have never seen a slope this steep for that long. Welll, actually the Bighorns of Wyoming have a 10% for 10 miles and a 8% for 8 miles, but that is the only place I have seen anything that long and steep.

[Starmaster]

Hi Twindman,

Your times are based on 60mph. That may be a valid assumption for something with few curves, but what little experience I have on steep grades, I've not averaged nearly that fast.

I agree, there are probably not a lot of times when the grades would be a problem. But, frequently when we stop for a break, finding a "level enough" place to stop can be a bit of a challenge. Having the ARP provides a little peace of mind and more options for parking.

I see something like the ARP as insurance. While I may never really be in a situation where the frig is too far out of level, the cost of the ARP seems like a good deal vs the cost of a cooling unit. That (and the fact that I like neat gadgets in general ) is why I decided to put one on our frig.

Dave

[Phil P]

quote:Originally posted by Starmaster


I see something like the ARP as insurance. While I may never really be in a situation where the frig is too far out of level, the cost of the ARP seems like a good deal vs the cost of a cooling unit. That (and the fact that I like neat gadgets in general ) is why I decided to put one on our frig.

Dave

Hi

The same with the fire extinguisher mounted under the Gas refrigerator for fire protection.

Phil P

[dieselguy]

I side with Irlpguy ... if you fret about any and every little thing in life, you'll become so nutty that you may be mistaken for one by the squirrel in your backyard.

[PapaBeav]

Been towing for 10 years, always leave the fridge on.

[scattershot]

I live in Colorado, tow in the mountains all the time, amd never had a problem.

[mlh]

Yep I think this is make a mountain out of mole hill.
Lynwood