Traveling with the fridge on?

MotorCanoe · 08-20-2014, 06:14 PM

Hi,
So i'm sure this question has been asked a million times but i'm a newbie, just bought my first camper, a 2007 Shamrock 21SS. Is it safe to travel with the fridge running off the propane? If so, are there times its dangerous?

Reason I ask is I have an autoimmune disorder and follow a pretty strict diet as it gives me the best results and lots of my food needs refrigeration and freezer. Me and the girlfriend are planning on hitting the road for 3-4 months and head from Mass to Alaska : ) She works via internet and im currently on disability, so we want to take advantage of my misfortune w/ my auto immune disorder and turn it into a positive and travel while we have the time and supplemented income. To make it a pleasant experience, I'd most certainly need refrigeration and freezer through out the trip. I also have a Yeti Cooler which is EXCELLENT at keeping cold, should we run into times when the refrig /freezer isn't an option for whatever reason. Freezer is actually more important to me.

Any input/advice is much appreciated. Sorry for all that background info, it made a simple question pretty long!

Happy Camping --

Matt & Melissa

TURBS · 08-20-2014, 06:15 PM

We always travel with fridge on.
14+ years.

TURBS

"SABRE OWNERS UNITED"

Rugged Brown · 08-20-2014, 06:22 PM

Fridge on here all he time from April to October, travelling or parked. In fact, don't tell anyone, but we have baked chicken and pizza while travelling down the road, when we owned a motor home.

youroo · 08-20-2014, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rugged Brown

Fridge on here all he time from April to October, travelling or parked. In fact, don't tell anyone, but we have baked chicken and pizza while travelling down the road, when we owned a motor home.

That is a heck of a trick to (Bake) in a Refer!

Youroo!!

Rugged Brown · 08-20-2014, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youroo

That is a heck of a trick to (Bake) in a Refer!

Youroo!!

Good one.

Got confused with the burnt biscuit thread.

pappcam · 08-20-2014, 08:33 PM

Check the 100+ threads already on this subject...

I travel with it on all the time.

Brother Les · 08-20-2014, 08:46 PM

survey says.....

Leave it on and don't worry about it. Read up on it and be knowledgeable of what might go on. I have no problem or worries leaving it on when fueling. An example of what 'may' be an issue...... Driving on the open windy plains... the flame may (happened to me) blow out and the valve will 'close' (normal and correct), when you stop.... the 'check light' may be on (normal and correct)... just push the on button again and all will be fine, unless a 60 mph side wind blows it out again. (Note: if the side wind is that high, why are you out driving in it anyway....

)

BigJohnD · 08-20-2014, 09:00 PM

Fridge on here as well, 24/7 365, unless it's at the dealer or we're defrosting.

Wmoses · 08-20-2014, 11:50 PM

Always on while travelling for us.

Witch Doctor · 08-21-2014, 04:05 AM

Always on with mine, but the second half of your question is there some restriction such as here in Virginia, going in the tunnels you have to have it off or very very big $$$$ fines. They have it posted so you also have to stop and they inspect that it is off, but still some people will not stop that's when they get ya !!! Big brother is watching and they will nail you when you come out.

indybp57 · 08-21-2014, 05:48 AM

Always on. Go to Walmart and purchase an inexpensive wireless indoor/outdoor thermometer. Put the outdoor unit in the fridge, indoor unit in your TV so you can monitor the fridge temp while on the road.

mud yapster · 08-21-2014, 07:44 AM

Always travel with ours running on propane and switch back to electricity as soon as we hook up to the power. Guess just make sure you don't run out of propane. If this is your first TT you should pick up the screens that go over the outside of your heater exhaust to keep the bugs and mud dobbers out it'll save you a headache later down the road.

Brother Les · 08-21-2014, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by indybp57

Always on. Go to Walmart and purchase an inexpensive wireless indoor/outdoor thermometer. Put the outdoor unit in the fridge, indoor unit in your TV so you can monitor the fridge temp while on the road.

That is a great idea.... thanks

Wmoses · 08-22-2014, 12:03 AM

So if passing through Virginia I have to hide my radar detector and switch off my propane in tunnels .... hmmm ... bit of a hassle. Virginia must be worth it though ...

Witch Doctor · 08-22-2014, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wmoses

So if passing through Virginia I have to hide my radar detector and switch off my propane in tunnels .... hmmm ... bit of a hassle. Virginia must be worth it though ...

Well that is the law here in this state, every state is different. The only tunnels are on the Eastern Shore, such as going to Newport News or Norfolk. You can get around the tunnels on a different route and use bridges except the Chesapeake bay. You have to go through that tunnel system if you where going into Maryland. They do have big pull offs before and after so you can turn your propane back on or off. Also look into an accustat, You can get one on ebay or at Amazon, you get a sensor for the freezer and 1 for the refer. you can keep it in your car and read the temps or I just place mine above the refer. Cost about 45.00 bucks I think. It has been awhile.

**dcheatwood** · 08-22-2014, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

We always travel with fridge on.
14+ years.

TURBS

"SABRE OWNERS UNITED"

X2, 9 years.

Oaklevel · 08-22-2014, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wmoses

So if passing through Virginia I have to hide my radar detector and switch off my propane in tunnels .... hmmm ... bit of a hassle. Virginia must be worth it though ...

It is worth it ! oh ya don't double tow here either

Ya we had a Motor home burn up in the state a few years back (don't remember the cause other than propane) Going through one of the tunnels on I77 going into West Virginia. Cost several hundred thousand to fix plus the interstate had closed lanes for a several months. I'm sure their insurance company loved that.
Good thing no one was hurt. I could not imagine trying to escape a long tube while a motorhome or trailer burnt knowing you have only one way out.

There is some risk with anything.

Wmoses · 08-22-2014, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gljurczyk

Also look into an accustat, You can get one on ebay or at Amazon, you get a sensor for the freezer and 1 for the refer. you can keep it in your car and read the temps or I just place mine above the refer. Cost about 45.00 bucks I think. It has been awhile.

I have this system. I keep the monitor next to the fridge in the RV. No need to monitor it while driving. Now if I had a remote to turn off the fridge when driving through these tunnels ....

MtnGuy · 08-22-2014, 08:41 AM

When going though the Tidewater VA. tunnels, I 1st cut the fridge off, then turn the propane off. I figure I would get "check" light on the fridge from it trying to light up propane that is not there if just the propane was turned off a the tanks. It would also depressurize the lines, maybe causing difficulty in relighting the fridge.

Most of the time I will have my propane turned off before getting to the VDOT inspection area....usually at a rest stop. The fridge will go a couple of hours without any significant temperature rise. I turn the fridge back on at the next convenient rest stop or gas fill.

Rockwoodjoe · 08-22-2014, 09:26 AM

There has been previous posts on this subject. I believe that the consensus was that gasoline vapors at gas stations can be ignited by the spark from the igniter. My fridge will stay cold for up to 6 hours if the door is kept closed and we add frozen bottles of water.

2013 Ford f-150
2015 Rockwood 2703ws still on order. Its been 10 weeks and they tell me they can't find drivers to bring it to Florida.

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