shut off the fridge?

[sunnyside1]

I just picked up my 2017 21ss and during the walk through the tech said when I stop for gas I need to turn off my fridge before I pull up to the tanks. Really? seems like a real pain. Does every one do this?
Thanks

[Boilermaker59]

My guess is he's referring to an explosion that occurred several years ago in Indiana.

Gas-station fire destroys Indiana couple’s RV - News - Houma Today - Houma, LA

I believe that most RVers don't leave their propane on for trips and don't shut it off at gas stations though. I don't shut mine off.

[Life is great]

I have never traveled with the fridge on. I get it rocking cold a few days before we travel and depending on the distance i toss some ice packs/bags in it and i never had an issue with the fridge getting warm. I just never liked traveling with it on.

[NMWildcat]

It's a personal preference. We always leave our propane and our fridge on when traveling. We don't turn anything off at fuel stops. Everyone we travel with does the same.

If leaving the propane on while traveling bothers you, don't​ do it.

[bshort]

We leave ours on when traveling and fueling, but the fridge is on the opposite side from the truck fuel tank.

[Radio]

My fridge is in the VERY BACK of my trailer. You could not get any further from the fuel filler on the truck, so I leave the fridge running on propane while traveling.

I also leave the rig attached to shore power while stored in the yard, batteries charging all the time and fridge running on 120v too.

Bought it new July 08. Never a problem with converter, batteries, or fridge.

[windsurfdog]

Propane on...fridge on...beer cold...ice frozen...

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by Boilermaker59

My guess is he's referring to an explosion that occurred several years ago in Indiana.

Gas-station fire destroys Indiana couple’s RV - News - Houma Today - Houma, LA

I believe that most RVers don't leave their propane on for trips and don't shut it off at gas stations though. I don't shut mine off.

Based on my EXTENSIVE investigation of this issue (i.e., my reads of the (many) threads on this forum discussing running with gas on or off - LOL), I'd say about 50% of us run with gas ON. But most of those that do will shut it off while refueling.

[Scrapper]

If you are fueling up with diesel then there will be no problem fueling with the fridge running on propane. It's when you are pumping gas that you have to worry about explosions. I always used to fuel up with diesel with the hot engine running on a farm tractor so it would cool down at the end of the day. The diesel tank was in front of or right above the engine (2 different tractors).

[joeuncool]

I have run into places on the internet that say state laws could vary on the transportation of propane tanks/cylinders with the valves open. A bit of further research and I have not found any state law that indicating it is illegal to transport tanks with the valves open. I have come across a few states and all the propane business groups that recommend traveling with the valves closed in their "tips" sections. The biggest thing to consider is in an accident the propane hose might rupture causing an issue, however, modern legal tanks have a safety valve that closes when it detects a sudden pressure release.

I don't need to drive with my fridge on so I won't. Whatever makes you comfortable.

In researching the state laws for this, I did find that a surprising number of states allow people to ride in a 5th Wheel or towed camper. Found it bizarre as it is something that I have/would never considered so never thought about it.

[Scrapper]

Originally Posted by joeuncool

In researching the state laws for this, I did find that a surprising number of states allow people to ride in a 5th Wheel or towed camper. Found it bizarre as it is something that I have/would never considered so never thought about it.

Ever watch "The Long, Long Trailer" (1954) with Lucille Ball as she tries to cook in the trailer while hubby Desi Arnaz drives. It is hilarious.

[joeuncool]

Originally Posted by Scrapper

Ever watch "The Long, Long Trailer" (1954) with Lucille Ball as she tries to cook in the trailer while hubby Desi Arnaz drives. It is hilarious.

I recommend everyone in this forum to watch that movie. You are correct, it is hilarious. Whenever I think about trailer towing weights, I think about collecting rocks from every place visited.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by joeuncool

I have run into places on the internet that say state laws could vary on the transportation of propane tanks/cylinders with the valves open. A bit of further research and I have not found any state law that indicating it is illegal to transport tanks with the valves open. I have come across a few states and all the propane business groups that recommend traveling with the valves closed in their "tips" sections. The biggest thing to consider is in an accident the propane hose might rupture causing an issue, however, modern legal tanks have a safety valve that closes when it detects a sudden pressure release.

I don't need to drive with my fridge on so I won't. Whatever makes you comfortable.

In researching the state laws for this, I did find that a surprising number of states allow people to ride in a 5th Wheel or towed camper. Found it bizarre as it is something that I have/would never considered so never thought about it.

There are a lot of vehicles out there running on propane.

https://www.quora.com/Why-dont-cars-run-on-propane

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autogas

[joeuncool]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

There are a lot of vehicles out there running on propane.

https://www.quora.com/Why-dont-cars-run-on-propane

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autogas

I forgot to mention that. It was one of my thoughts on the subject. If they say there are laws on having the valves closed when traveling with a propane tank, what about vehicles that run on it? While there are "they" who talk about laws, I still didn't find any laws. Of course I did find some laws that you can't travel through some tunnels and such on the east coast with propane whether the valves are open or not but that doesn't cover overall traveling across a state down a highway.

Overall, I don't think it is much of a problem to run with the fridge on. We don't see lots of gas station fires because of it.

[donanddona]

Full timing it for eight years. always leave the propane tanks open, always leave the fridge running. NEVER pump gas if the pump area LOOKS or SMELLS unsafe. Most of us have experienced a wet pump or area surrounding the pump island.


Risk Assessment. Stay Safe!

[doc73]

Always leave it on auto (gas /electric) when on the road. Never have shut it off when fueling both gas and now Diesel. Been that way from my smallest popup in 2006 to now with the TT.

[W5CI]

I turn Ref on Auto a couple of days before we leave on a trip and NEVER turn it off until we return home. I would guess that at least 98% of folks do the same thing

[JimMorrell]

Always travel with it on, and have never shut it off while traveling. However, usually fill tank when I stop for the night, and don't have the trailer hooked up.

But not always. I have about a 350 mile range before refueling.

[kfergiez]

I realize this is my first post here, but I've been lurking for years. I'm honestly surprised that people are actively towing with their propane fridge running. It seems to me a risk of the wind blowing the tiny flame out, not to mention having an open flame like that at a pumping station.

Granted, I have a 3-way fridge and I know that they don't really make them anymore, but I have my fridge on 12v while driving and when I stop to make camp, I'll switch it over to propane.

My 100% anecdotal experience was having a garage burn down as a child due to the pilot light of the water heater igniting an oil pan full of gasoline that was 15+ ft away (my dad was washing rags in it... it's an old-school thing). That story alone gives me the utmost respect of a tiny open flame, and gasoline vapors.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by kfergiez

....

My 100% anecdotal experience was having a garage burn down as a child due to the pilot light of the water heater igniting an oil pan full of gasoline that was 15+ ft away (my dad was washing rags in it... it's an old-school thing). That story alone gives me the utmost respect of a tiny open flame, and gasoline vapors.

... and yet millions of people with older water heaters still run them with gas pilot lights AND gas burners in their garages (and elsewhere) every day.