Using refridge while traveling

[scottsman411]

Being new was wondering if there is any concerns to using the refridgerator while traveling down the road?
According to our dealer while doing the walk thru he said there is no problems with this.
Thanks for any and all info.

[kbrown1075]

No problem. We do it all the time.

[papap]

Just maybe a good idea to turn it off when refueling.

[Triguy]

Its fine to have the fridge on while driving.

We do it every time we're out but you could turn it off on short trips if it is a concern.

I understand there are a couple tunnels on the East coast somewhere that require it to be off and there is the gas station thing. We've not shut our fridge off at a gas station ever and frankly I've never even heard of someone's trailer exploding.

[scottsman411]

Thanks for the replys. I plan on traveling with the fridge on just wanted some thoughts from people who have experience.
I always figured nothing beats learning from those who have done it before.

[bend302]

When we went to Florida last year, I set the refer on "auto" so it used electric when avail and gas the rest of the time. The only time I turned it off was when we topped off the propane tank.

No problems encountered.

Bill

[ng2951]

Originally Posted by papap

Just maybe a good idea to turn it off when refueling.

Aren't you worried someone starting their car might light the fumes? After all the refer's vent are a long way from the gas tank. If you are that worried about lighting off the fuel fumes there are probably other things that would do that too...

[papap]

Oh I think you are fine leaving I on all the time. I never turn mine off. I have just been told ylou should turn it off.

[Coreyhunt]

I run mine on long hauls. If the trip is short say 2-4 hours. I mostly turn it on the night before we leave pack it the day of, and when we roll out I turn it off. It stays cold I find for about 3-4 hours after you shut it off.

[Nigels]

Leave it on, it is designed to be left on, ours has been switching between propane and 110V automatically since 15 April 2011 and has never been switched off.

In a gas station if some one squirts gas at your rig near the fridge vent then there is a good possibility that your rig, the gas station and everyone within 2 miles will do a Bruce Willis type exit..........but they say that can happen if you use your cell phone at the gas station also

[HondoPatrick]

We leave ours on auto... when we're driving it runs off of gas and when we plug into shore power it automatically switches over. Haven't had any problems at all.

[DAISY BOYKIN]

Like Nigel says, never turn it off. If it starts a fire, would make good pictures for all to see!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My gas fill up is on the oppsite side way up front, I see no danger.

[Ovair]

There is a risk. However, for the percentage of gasoline vapor to be high enough to ignite, and for that high percentage to drift its way into the shrouded flame area, the risk is not very high. I have always left ours on, but the camper was behind the truck. With our new RV, the fuel opening is fairly close to the back side of the refrigerator, but the generator is running, so the fridge is on AC not gas.

[Jeep4Two]

I err on the side of caution on these things. I'm hoping that I'll be able to travel with my 12v option (my fridge is a 3-way) without LP while connected to my TV and traveling - I'll know after this weekend whether there is too much draw on 12v or not.

I know the risks are small but in my opinion and based on a variety of other factors that incline me to avoid putting myself between a rock and legal liability, I'll be keeping the LP tanks off when traveling.

Here's my take on the whole thing (simply because in America, litigation seems to be the national past time). The chances of my fridge igniting fumes and causing a fire (or worse an explosion) while at the filling station are slim. That given, there is a possibility. If said possibility becomes reality (sun, moon, stars are all aligned correctly - and my luck running about where it seems to most of the time) then there are liability issues that could leave the RV owner liable for damages, injuries, loss of life, etc..

The refer manual says leave LP off when refueling (two rather large warnings in my manual). I believe that is covered in the RV owners manual for my unit as well but I don't have it handy (generic anyway). That combined with posted warnings and state and federal guidelines, stations rules/policies, around fuel pumps place the liability (in my opinion) on the shoulders of the RV operator.

Disclaimer: I am not an attorney (haven't even played one on TV, and did NOT stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night). I have however seen too many news stories where people acting responsibly have still been held liable for accidents due to simple oversights that were by no means intentional, done in malice or otherwise criminal in my opinion. This can apply in non-criminal ways as well, since no criminal prosecution/charges does not relieve you of potential civil litigation.

[TURBS]

I leave mine on gas while travelling.