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12-06-2020, 08:14 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 12
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Ok to run fridge while driving? What do you think?
Hello there.... John here from Olympia, Wa. We just bought a 2020 Sunseeker 2400W MBS and I have a question about running the refrigerator while driving. It appears our fridge will run on propane, or, off of the Onan 4K generator while driving.
I’d appreciate any and all thoughts about these options. Or, is it just best to not run the fridge at all while driving?
Thanks in advance for your comments.
Kind regards, John
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12-06-2020, 08:18 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 2,481
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Yes. Run it on propane. I always start my fridge a day before we leave so the wife can stock it. It does not get turned off till we get home.
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12-06-2020, 08:22 PM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,835
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Been running the propane side of our fridges, while traveling, for 30 years and never had any issues.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.) 
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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12-06-2020, 08:24 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 1,401
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100% concur with 007matman, we do the same thing , start it up 1 day or 2 and goes off when we get back.
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12-06-2020, 08:40 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: TEXAS
Posts: 9,225
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We tend to turn it off when refueling. Of course, our rig is gas and yours is diesel, so an open flame is more of a concern for us.
Otherwise, we keep it on 'automatic' and it'll switch automatically depending on the fuel available. It's nice to have your food cold when you reach the campsite.
__________________
2015 Dynamax REV 24TB class C
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12-06-2020, 08:55 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 5,060
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The only time I turn mine off when towing is if I hit one of the few tunnels that prohibit its use. Turn things on night before we depart and put it on auto. Our storage spot doesn't have electricity, so it cools down on propane. Load food in the morning and hit the road.
__________________
Al
I am starting to think, that I will never be old enough--------to know better.
Tolerance will reach such a level that intelligent people will be banned from thinking so as not to offend the imbeciles. Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky, Russian Novelist
S.E. Mich. Flagstaff 26FKWS / 2022 F-150 3.5 EcoBoost SCrew Propride
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12-06-2020, 09:30 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 305
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Same as above, plug it in on electric a day before we leave. Run it on propane on the road, uses less that way as it just needs to maintain the cold rather than cool down
__________________
2016 Dodge Durango 5.7L V8
2021 Coachmen Apex 288BHS
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12-06-2020, 09:50 PM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: FL
Posts: 50
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Ok to run fridge on towing
This question has been on my mind. I have been afraid to run my fridge on propane while towing because I am unsure of the tlr being perfectly level & "psyched" when I read about how easy it is to damage/ruin the fridge if it is not level (plumb) enough. Am I worrying too much?
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12-06-2020, 09:56 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Southern NM
Posts: 9,562
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Quote:
Originally Posted by retdocj
This question has been on my mind. I have been afraid to run my fridge on propane while towing because I am unsure of the tlr being perfectly level & "psyched" when I read about how easy it is to damage/ruin the fridge if it is not level (plumb) enough. Am I worrying too much?
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Yep 
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Scott and Liz - Southern NM
2012 Wildcat Sterling 32RL - w/level up (best option ever)
2007 Chevy 2500HD Duramax
Reese Fifth Airborne Sidewinder
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12-06-2020, 09:56 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,001
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Agree with everyone else on running the fridge...it doesn't take all that much gas, and it is worth keeping things stocked and cold.
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TV - 2020 RAM 3500 Mega Cab SRW with 6.7 Cummins HO & Aisin 6 spd, 4k payload, 23k towing
2002 GMC Yukon XL 2500, 8.1 liter (496ci), 4L85e & positraction with 3.73 gears
TT - 2013 Dutchmen Aspen Trail 3130 QBS
Great bourbon-just about any of San Diego’s craft beer
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12-06-2020, 10:05 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 2,304
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been doing it for 16 years, no problems.
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12-06-2020, 10:18 PM
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#12
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Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,146
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R/V refrigerator manufacturers have said running the fridge while going down the road is no problem for as long as I can remember. (50+ years of camping)
Is it prudent you don't park on a steep incline for an hour while having lunch... sure... but why would you.
Other than tunnels where it is prohibited, no issues of concern.
Much ado over nothing.
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2024 Ford F-Series SCREW•7.3L•4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA
Days Camped ☼ '19=118 ☼ '20=116 ☼ '21=123 ☼ '22=134 ☼ '23=118☼ '24=90
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12-06-2020, 10:26 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 5,060
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Quote:
Originally Posted by retdocj
This question has been on my mind. I have been afraid to run my fridge on propane while towing because I am unsure of the tlr being perfectly level & "psyched" when I read about how easy it is to damage/ruin the fridge if it is not level (plumb) enough. Am I worrying too much?
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For trailers built in recent years (maybe last 5?) the instructions say that when parked, the trailer should be level enough to be comfortable walking in it. So it doesn't have to be perfect. For that reason, they discontinued issuing bubble levels that showed how level you needed to be.
When moving, the continuous bouncing and shaking as you go down the road keeps any issues from occurring.
__________________
Al
I am starting to think, that I will never be old enough--------to know better.
Tolerance will reach such a level that intelligent people will be banned from thinking so as not to offend the imbeciles. Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky, Russian Novelist
S.E. Mich. Flagstaff 26FKWS / 2022 F-150 3.5 EcoBoost SCrew Propride
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12-07-2020, 08:36 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,834
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I turn mine on in May, and off in Oct.
It's always been level enough without any special considerations.
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12-07-2020, 08:54 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Richmond VA
Posts: 4,556
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1. See the several notes regarding "level" when stationary. Not required on the move.
2. Gasoline vapors are heavier than air and my refrigerator is a good 20 feet away and on the opposite side from my fuel fill. Gas vapors would need to be 5 feet deep to get near the little flame in the refrig. There is a danger if you pump gasoline into the refrigerator grill...
-- Chuck
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2006 Roo 23SS behind a 2017 Ford Expedition
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12-07-2020, 02:14 PM
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#16
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 23
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What are your thoughts on refueling vs, propane fridge?
"We tend to turn it off when refueling. Of course, our rig is gas and yours is diesel, so an open flame is more of a concern for us.
Otherwise, we keep it on 'automatic' and it'll switch automatically depending on the fuel available. It's nice to have your food cold when you reach the campsite".
I have wondered about this awhile; what do y'all think about this topic? As I pull forward to refuel, my trailer flame side usual lines up with the gas pump at the back. I am probably 10 feet between my gas pump and flame, however I worry about the guy spilling back there and across from me where my flame is under the fridge.
Anyone have thoughts, I am too concerned?
rennzfr
234VFK Cherokee; 2014 Chevy Silverado
“The year is 2023...
The coronavirus has wiped out humankind...
A lone server in the basement of the NY Fed building continues to bid the Dow Jones to new all-time highs.”
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12-07-2020, 03:12 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Crowley, Texas
Posts: 134
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I saw a video once of a TT consumed by flames sitting in a gas station. It seems prudent to me to turn the propane off before refueling with gasoline. My $0.02.
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12-07-2020, 03:27 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: La Crescenta, CA
Posts: 243
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I do not run frig, while on the road with propane. My truck has dual alternators and they handle the demand for the residential refrig fine. I also have solar and it may help.
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12-07-2020, 03:31 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Southeastern Massachusetts
Posts: 414
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Just remember a couple of thoughts.
Most highways have big signs saying NO PROPANE, whether it be tunnels or something else. Usually they show a detour route around.
Next, depending on how far you are traveling. If you run your frig the night before and have it stocked, you should be able to go some four hours without the frig operational.
This is just my input
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12-07-2020, 03:34 PM
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#20
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Grayson County, Texas
Posts: 21,578
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KEN9XL
Just remember a couple of thoughts.
Most highways have big signs saying NO PROPANE, whether it be tunnels or something else. Usually they show a detour route around.
Next, depending on how far you are traveling. If you run your frig the night before and have it stocked, you should be able to go some four hours without the frig operational.
This is just my input
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Most highways? Really? At the age of 73, I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a sign.
__________________
2015 FR Wildcat 295RSX / GMC Sierra
Nights Camped: '13 = 49/'14 = 74/'15 = 74/'16 = 85/'17 = 110/'18 = 111/'19 = 86/'20 =108/'21 = 115/'22 = 135/'23 = 78; Booked for 2024 = 69 |
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