Silly newbie question

[Pokerstar]

Using my Surveyor 201RBS for the first time this weekend, and I just dewinterized it. Filled the water tank, then hooked up to city water and ran lots of water through. Then ran water pump and onboard water, no more pink coming out. Set the valves correctly on the water heater, and in propane it started to warm up. (I didn't let it run too long, just wanted to test functionality.)

Now to the question - I know I need to have the propane on while driving for the fridge, do you all run your water heater while you are driving? Or do you wait until you get to the camp site to fire up the water heater?

Thanks! Any other tips you feel like sharing will be appreciated.

Pokerstar

[RETCHIEF]

We only run frig on the road. When we get to the site I put HW heater on 115V. There is no need to haul hot water when it only takes a little while to heat it at the site.

[Pokerstar]

Originally Posted by RETCHIEF

We only run frig on the road. When we get to the site I put HW heater on 115V. There is no need to haul hot water when it only takes a little while to heat it at the site.

Thanks, that makes a lot of sense.

[ependydad]

The only reason that I might run the water heater while driving is if I want to grab a shower while stopping for lunch or something. (And yes, I've actually done that!)

But generally, I don't heat water while we're running down the road. It takes so little time to heat up especially if you click both the electric + propane on at the same time.

[BamaGrad]

In general, we don't even run the frig propane while traveling. Not concerned about safety (a whole other thread) but we find if frig is cold when leaving, it will hold for the day. Kids have access to soft drinks from a cooler.

[fella10]

Originally Posted by BamaGrad

In general, we don't even run the frig propane while traveling........... we find if frig is cold when leaving, it will hold for the day.

x2.........we've never used propane in 3yrs. w/three different trailers, I even removed the tanks to get rid of that weight and use the tongue area to carry our bikes,..............

[kdp1897]

We normally leave both off. Once the fridge is cooled down, it will stay cold as long as you aren't opening the door constantly. And we've never found the need for hot water while on the road.

[Pokerstar]

Thanks! It's about a 3 hour drive, so there won't be anything to worry about fridge-wise either.

[bpa098]

The only time i ever turn on the water heater is before a shower or meal time. When i am done i turn it off. it doesnt take long to heat up that small tank.

[Flybob]

If you start the fridge the night before and get it cold. Then only put cold/frozen items in before you leave in the am, it will stay cold most all day without running. The key is to have it and the freezer full. An empty fridge will warm up quickly as there is no mass to absorb the heat.

[cbvp]

Just turned the fridge on yesterday.
It is set on auto and will stay on till the end of
the camping season. Water heater is on gas. That is turned on the morning of the day we leave. It is turned off just before we return home. In 14 years and 3 5ers I've never run a water heater on electric. To me it's not worth the time and trouble switching back and forth.






C.B.