Reefer On During Tow

[sailingsuppo46]

Hi,
My wife asked me if you can leave the reefer running while towing. I am not sure. My Rockwood 2604 has electric and gas operations. What do most people do and what is safe? Thanks, George

[milzat]

Hi George,

Mine is always on, towing(on gas), at camp and parked at home, 24-7.

How do you expect I keep my beer cold?

[tmmar]

Mine runs off of either gas or electric. If I leave the setting on auto, it will run off the inverter/batteries or shore power when plugged in. If I turn the inverter off and there is no shore power, it runs off of gas. Not sure if your trailer has an inverter and whether your refrigerator will run off of the inverter. But mine is on all the time also.

[rthrbelsewhere]

One thing to keep in mind if you decide to run the frig while haulin down the road and that is if you stop at a fueling station...turn it off before you pull up to the pump. There's a flame involved when it's running and it wouldn't take much to pull into a busy station in this summer heat and fumes to find it's way to that flame. I thought of that when we were coming back home last weekend and pulled into a fuel station and there were cars literally lined up waiting to fuel up. The fumes were obvious while I was waiting and had to make sure that my own frig wasn't running before i pulled in.

Otherwise, yes, I've left my frig running while towing to our campsite and haven't had any problems thus far. Good luck

[elamsinsd]

Well this makes my wife happy. I was apprehensive to run it during hauling. Good warning on pulling into fuel stops rthrbelsewhere.

[SaskCampers]

The Flagstaff factory rep that I talked to at a show prior to ordering our new trailer this spring suggested the same when I asked about getting a 3 way fridge. Run on gas while on the road and shut it off prior to pulling up to the pumps.

[Hipshot]

I run my 2604 in auto and the beer stays COLD!!

[sailingsuppo46]

All,
Thanks for the information. Demo day is tomorrow at 1500 and shakedown tow is scheduled for the 16th. We are excited. Can't wait to get on the road and enjoy some fun. I am sure that I am going to have a few more questions after I get her home and definitely before we head out next weekend. Thanks again for all the help, George

[revrnd]

How common are larger 3 way fridges? The small fridge that was in my popup was a 3 way but the Dometic that's in my Rockwood is only a 2 way. Mind you it also has a freezer. It would be nice to run off the 12V when towing (after cooling down the fridge before departure w/ the 110) down the highway.

[milzat]

3 way friges are mostly found in Pop-ups and Truck campers.

[revrnd]

Would I be correct in assuming that 12volts isn't enough to cool a "full size" fridge & freezer? Full size being a relative term.

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by revrnd

Would I be correct in assuming that 12volts isn't enough to cool a "full size" fridge & freezer? Full size being a relative term.

A full sized RV fridge on 12 volts would probably pull more amps than your tow vehicle could supply to you trailer, and you would end up with dead house batteries when you arrived at your campsite.

[sailingsuppo46]

Has anyone developed a log or list of amp ratings for each 12 vdc item on their TT? I found it to be a good tool for amp hour management when on the battery.

Also, when the Reefer is on gas how much propane will it burn...on average weekend trip?

Rev..... I had the same thought. Will bring it up at my demo/delivery this afternoon with the dealer.

Later, George

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by sailingsuppo46

Has anyone developed a log or list of amp ratings for each 12 vdc item on their TT? I found it to be a good tool for amp hour management when on the battery.

Also, when the Reefer is on gas how much propane will it burn...on average weekend trip?

Rev..... I had the same thought. Will bring it up at my demo/delivery this afternoon with the dealer.

Later, George

Here is a list put out by NWJeeper on the amp draw on his motor home: http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...html#post39107

I don't really think the fridge burns much propane. I have only filled my propane tanks 4 times since I bought the trailer in Nov. 2008, and that includes some winter heating to keep my vinyl floor from cracking, as well as numerous dry camping trips with cooking, hot water usage, the fridge on propane, and some furnace heating. A 20 or 30 lb. tank fill will go a long way.

[sailingsuppo46]

Thanks for the link. I will check it out this weekend. Picked up the TT this evening and can't wait to get her out for some camping. Appreciate the information on the Propane as well. Later, George