Does anyone travel with their Propane On?

[DrLewie]

Originally Posted by badger5301

Ours is always on when travelling and fueling. Never gave it thought to shut it off when refueling. I'll have to ask some of the hundreds of refer trailers I've seen at the truck stops if they shut their trailers off when they refuel. Guess we've made it thirty years without hitting the button at fuel stops so I'm fairly confident we'll make the few years we have left.

I'm pretty sure reefers use diesel.

[A32Deuce]

Some reefer use gas since there are some gas pumps in the truck lanes.

[Rogerjs]

Yes we do travel with the propane on. If you choose to do so it is recommended to turn the propane off while fueling up with gasoline or diesel.

[Lighting546]

Originally Posted by RHOUSER

It has occurred to me that if I ran with the propane on, I could use my refrigerator to keep food cold while in transit.

Up to now, I have always packed frozen and cold items into an Ice Chest and filled it with ice for the 2 day run from Virginia to Florida. It's not a problem with the ice chest solution. Am I looking at a safety hazard or a high propane use issue?

Downsides please. All opinions welcome.

v/r rch

Unless you have a 3 way power fridge or a residential fridge with an inverter you're supposed to travel with the fridge on using LPG, make sure both tanks are on just in case one tank is low so that the fridge won't turn off before you get where you're going.
About 4 hours before you're going to depart turn the fridge on so that it has time to get to temp, once it's at temp load it with your food. Once that's done you can hit the road as long as you already have everything else you're going to need loaded.

Personally the only things I have to put in my 5er before departure is refrigerated items, dog food, my meds, movies, iPad or laptop, generator w/gas and my guns (my shotgun and my 45), or if I'm going to be gone for an extended trip I'll bring my washer and dryer along. Other than that it's always stocked with canned goods, clothes, dishes, etc...

The only downside is that you might run out of LPG before you get to your destination if you forgot to have the tanks refilled when you got back from your last excursion. I carry a full, 30 pound tank as a spare, just in case, one can't be too prepared.

[Lighting546]

Originally Posted by DrLewie

I'm pretty sure reefers use diesel.

I was taught to never turn off the reefer when I had to fuel the truck or top off the tank for the reefer unit. If the unit is set for auto operation it will start and stop the engine as needed to maintain temps in the box (trailer).

Diesel requires high pressure in order to combust, a lit cigarette or a spark is not likely to set it on fire, because of the higher combustion temp of the fuel.

In the Navy it was a different story altogether as they would err on the side of caution.

[formerFR]

I think some RVrs may come from a background where they tented, then popped up, then truck camped, then A-framed, then got a Class B or C... all that may give them the idea that 'propane' has to be off unless you are 'using' it while camping...


others of us just bought an RV and haven't seen any reason to EVER turn 'off' the propane, whether while traveling, or even in storage, like ours. 94,000 miles over almost 5 years and it's never been any issue whatsoever. Don't know why it's such a question for some. If an appliance is not 'asking' for propane, the propane is just sitting in the lines waiting to be used. Turning off the main tank does nothing to change that.

[revbilly]

All the time. No problems.

[Tblt44]

Yep
Keeps the frig cold

[Lighting546]

Originally Posted by badger5301

Babock, you could be correct, I just remember seeing some with what I thought was an lp tank mounted under the front of the trailer. I've never pulled one, I'm stuck with a triple axle grain trailer. I'll pay more attention next time I'm at one of the truck stops and probably still ask.

Refrigerated trailers have a 50 gallon diesel fuel tank which is usually located on the bottom of the left side of the trailer about the mid point of the trailer. Due to it's size I guess it could be mistaken for a propane tank by someone that's not familiar with the layout of refrigerated trailers. I hauled way too many of them from coast to coast and border to border during my time on the road.

[imjustdave]

Originally Posted by adarklake

I think the question should be: "Does anyone NOT travel with their propane fridge on?"

Ding ding.... we have a winner. But seriously never thought to turn it off can't fathom not. Ferry says to turn it off.. I assume it's due to CO emission in a semi enclosed space. Never thought about gas station... I guess maybe but usually fridge is 20 feet from anyone else pumping.

[gilly13]

It's your choice. Neither right or wrong, good or bad.

Originally Posted by JohnD10

I also run with my propane on to keep the fridge cold.

Turn it off at gas stations while fueling up.

[cantxsailor]

A little slightly off topic.
I have an Engel.
Expensive but indestructible.
Will freeze a gallon jug of water hard as a brick overnight.
Auto switch from 110 to 12v.
One moving part.
I kept it on my closed up sailboat for years. It would be 95+ in the cabin and upon arriving my beer would be 28°.
All done while pulling less than 3amps.
I ran everything on the boat with an 85watt solar panel.

[Mountainmanbob]

On. Always

[SlowrideHD]

I never shut mine off. Stays on 24/7/365

[gthomp10]

Been doing it for 40 years.

[EdnKat]

Originally Posted by RHOUSER

It has occurred to me that if I ran with the propane on, I could use my refrigerator to keep food cold while in transit.

Up to now, I have always packed frozen and cold items into an Ice Chest and filled it with ice for the 2 day run from Virginia to Florida. It's not a problem with the ice chest solution. Am I looking at a safety hazard or a high propane use issue?

Downsides please. All opinions welcome.

v/r rch

All the time. Except thru tunnels.

[Mikegjax]

Leave it on except filling LP tank. Even when fueling RV. Gasoline fumes are heavier than air, settling near the ground far from the frig.

[HATCHET19]

I'm sure this has been said. But I am not reading through several pages of comments to see. I travel in a motorhome. I have never turned my propane off while traveling...ever.

[frank4711]

A cold refrigerator is good ours is on ...........

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by RHOUSER

It has occurred to me that if I ran with the propane on, I could use my refrigerator to keep food cold while in transit.

Up to now, I have always packed frozen and cold items into an Ice Chest and filled it with ice for the 2 day run from Virginia to Florida. It's not a problem with the ice chest solution. Am I looking at a safety hazard or a high propane use issue?

Downsides please. All opinions welcome.

v/r rch

Well, have you got your answers after 80 posts?