Rockwood premier 2716g fridge while driving

[2019_2716g_Canada]

Newbie question.... will my 3 way fridge in my 2716g run on 12v while driving? I'm leaving tomorrow for camping and wanting to keep the fridge cold while driving. I am wondering when I drop the tent trailer down if fridge automatically shuts off

[007matman]

Run on Propane when driving. Doesn't use batteries and they're designed to be used that way.

[MtBiker]

If you run it on 12v you will arrive at your destination with a low battery. Use propane if you will be without power.

[pgandw]

The fridge will run fine on 12v. Depending on the wiring in your tow vehicle there is a good chance that battery charge used while stopped will not be replaced quickly while towing.

There is also a good chance the propane flame will blow out while towing at highway speeds. Your fridge will not automatically relight.

I used a wireless thermometer ($10 at Wal-Mart) to track actual fridge temp while driving and camping. If the fridge was cool enough I turned it off (using 12v) while stopped for lunch or site check in. If not cool enough and stop was more than 30 min, I started fridge on propane to conserve battery.

Hope this helps
Fred W
2019 Flagstaff T21TBHW A-frame
2008 Hyundai Entourage minivan

[007matman]

I owned a pop-up for 10 years and pulled it all over the country. Never had it blow out while running on propane once.

I suppose some are not built well or there may be other contributing factors.

[pgandw]

Originally Posted by 007matman

I owned a pop-up for 10 years and pulled it all over the country. Never had it blow out while running on propane once.

I suppose some are not built well or there may be other contributing factors.

Having had 2 pop-ups with the continuous run fridges - a Coleman Westlake PUP and a Rockwood A122 A-frame - both would blow out running on propane at some point at highway speeds (60+ mph). Maybe not for an hour or two, but it would happen. With the A-frame, I invested in a wireless thermometer. Watching the thermometer readout while driving I could tell when the flame blew out - the temp in the fridge started rising pretty quickly. The flame blowing out might be a lot more common where high winds are common - the Great Plains and Rockies or Sierras. A 20+ mph wind at the right angle combined with the airflow from 60+MPH might be just enough to blow out.

High wall PUPs and A-frames have a fridge that will auto relight if/when the flame blows out so running on propane while towing is not an issue (see my current Flagstaff T21TBHW A-frame). But OP does not have a high wall.

just my experiences
Fred W
2019 Flagstaff T21TBHW A-frame
2008 Hyundai Entourage minivan
camping Colorado and adjacent states on weekend at a time

[007matman]

Not sure what the secret sauce was but I had both a Rockwood and a Flagstaff with identical Dometic 3-way fridges and never had an issue with either. There should have been a wind guard on the inside around the burner as well as the plastic louvered cover on the outside.

We saw some serious winds too. Maybe it's where it's at on the wall or something? Both of mine were in the middle or slightly towards the front on the left side of the camper.

Not everyone has the same experience. It's all good.

[Mike91]

Good luck keeping it cold if you're in the sun with 80 - 90 degrees. FR installed the refrigerator wrong where there is no empty space above the refrigerator and to allow the upper vent to be installed above the refrigerator.

Therefore the heat can't get out and just collects at the top of the refrigerator enclosure.

I was only able to get 50 degrees out of the refrigerator in the 80s and that's without repeatedly opening the door to put food in or out.

I installed Titan Fans seen in this thread and not my refrigerator works acceptably. It will now get to 30 degrees in the 90s with full sun without repeated door openings. With repeated door openings, it recovers pretty quick also but will raise up to around 40 initially.

So I found while using this refrigerator, your best bet is to keep temp controller in manual and at full fan speed, which allows quick recovery after opening and closing and adding any food or drink to the refrigerator.