Do you turn propane off while in motion?

[sgtlm17]

I've always left my propane on

[hikerjohn7]

I had a minor accident once, actually it was just a steel belted tire that blew. Anyway, the steel wires almost cut through my propane lines under the camper. A few more inches and the wire and the sparking could have caused an enormous blaze. So I always keep my propane valve closed on the road. As for rupturing the tank in an accident, the tank is sturdy and much more unlikely to leak than from breaks in the propane lines. Also, my Dometic gas/electric fridge does a great job of keeping my ice cream frozen between rest stops where I either open the gas or run the generator to refresh the fridge.

[18CrewDually]

ON. If it was so dangerous then the government would force the manufacturers to make it so it's not possible to operate underway to protect me and fellow travellers.

[wrvond]

On. Haven't been blown up yet.

[alexisc]

Seems like the general consensus is to leave it on (mostly to run the fridge) unless prohibited (tunnels, ferries, etc.).

[Jonol]

Good luck Guy`s with your propane ON but stay away from my TT and my famely!!
Thank you to the one`s that turn it OFF.

[doc73]

Originally Posted by poppytoymaker

How do you keep fridge cold while driving in Canada?

Well, since it is in a perpetual frozen state just open the window... J/K

[Kenny kustom]

Originally Posted by doc73

Well, since it is in a perpetual frozen state just open the window... J/K

You're on FIRE this week!

[doc73]

What can I say.. I needed to throw some love to my Canadian friends...

[hikerjohn7]

Here's an interesting link on whether to leave propane on or off while driving. It points out how a severed gas line from a crash can quickly fill the RV with propane. Any flame or electrical spark can then ignite the gas.

Is It Dangerous To Use Propane Gas While Driving Your RV?#

Another consideration is whether your RV insurance policy has any stipulations on open propane tanks.

[SeaDog]

Originally Posted by hikerjohn7

Here's an interesting link on whether to leave propane on or off while driving. It points out how a severed gas line from a crash can quickly fill the RV with propane. Any flame or electrical spark can then ignite the gas.

Is It Dangerous To Use Propane Gas While Driving Your RV?#

Another consideration is whether your RV insurance policy has any stipulations on open propane tanks.

How come all the folks that are talking about the major hazards to running with the propane on never mention the safety features of the propane valve that shuts off the propane when flow exceeds a given level (like a broken line) I would like to see some actual facts on fires in crashes with propane on versus off not just conjecture and guessing.

[jrwalkerpa1]

Originally Posted by alexisc

I have a 2017 Sunseeker 2290S. Should I turn the propane off while in motion just in case I have an accident? I feel like I should but curious what others do.

Our propane is always on from spring to fall unless the tank is being filled.

I can't lay my hands on the source right now, but I'm pretty sure our fridge (4 door dometic) has a momentary shutdown when the ignition is turned off for a certain time. The idea being to handle the stopping for gas scenario.

[CHICKDOE]

I just saw a piece on the phoenix news of a motorhome that caught fire in a gas station while fueling. it was a complete loss. there was no mention of the cause but I have to wonder if a pilot light or refrigerator flame was involved. I understand why people leave it on for the refrigerator and I understand that the risk is very small. but unexpected things do happen. the expected number of incidents is very low, but the effect of being involved in an incident is very large. how many of you that leave it on take the effort to shut it off while refueling? my suspicion is very few.

[f5moab]

I really don't care if people run it open or closed while traveling. And not sure if in a major accident it will make any difference due to the auto flow shut off valve (it is supposed to work...right? ). However, I guess my concern would be a possible slow leak inside the trailer that, while driving, would never be noticed.

Again, I really don't care, the probabilities of an exploding RV causing damage or harm to me or my property is probably less likely then the Yellowstone Caldera blowing in the next 20 years.

[poppytoymaker]

I never thought of it before, but maybe I'll get one of those fridge fans

[LTRVing]

Ours is off. Just because...

[hikerjohn7]

Good point about the propane automatic shut-off valve. The way I think it works is that it shuts off the gas if the propane sensor in the cabin senses propane or the 12 volt power system fails. It's essentially a solenoid valve that holds the valve open as long as there is power to it. That's why it's always hot to the touch. However, in a crash where lines are cut allowing propane to escape, the valve may not activate the shut-off mechanism until propane gets to the cabin sensor or fire burns up the 12 volt wiring. Also, the valve is separated from the tank with a few feet of tubing which could break and allow gas to escape if the tank is dislodged from it's brackets. The main shutoff valve directly on the tank, however, is the most secure since it is screwed into the tank. Even if the tank were ripped loose, it has the greatest chance of staying closed.

[trdutch]

On
We run the fridge

[hikerjohn7]

Amerigas recommends shutting off propane while on the road and fueling.

https://www.amerigas.com/amerigas-bl...propane-safety

[SeaDog]

Originally Posted by hikerjohn7

Good point about the propane automatic shut-off valve. The way I think it works is that it shuts off the gas if the propane sensor in the cabin senses propane or the 12 volt power system fails. It's essentially a solenoid valve that holds the valve open as long as there is power to it. That's why it's always hot to the touch. However, in a crash where lines are cut allowing propane to escape, the valve may not activate the shut-off mechanism until propane gets to the cabin sensor or fire burns up the 12 volt wiring. Also, the valve is separated from the tank with a few feet of tubing which could break and allow gas to escape if the tank is dislodged from it's brackets. The main shutoff valve directly on the tank, however, is the most secure since it is screwed into the tank. Even if the tank were ripped loose, it has the greatest chance of staying closed.

Propane tanks have a high flow shut off built into the tank