Fridge on while towing.

[trooper253]

We are leaving in the morning on our first extended trip with our new camper. It should take about four hours to get to the campground. Is it okay to leave the fridge running on gas while I tow it? I know that the camper has to be level while running the fridge and was not sure if it would hurt it while we climbed up into the mountains of Western NC.

[Jim W]

Yes, it is OK to leave the fridge on when towing with the propane turned on. My DW and I were in Asheville NC. this June at Lake Powhatan camping for 5 days. We pulled our 5er from IL through Ohio, West VA, VA, NC, TN, KT and back to IL never turning off the fridge once.
The only time you will need to turn off the propane is in certain tunnels and these are marked. Such as the Chesapeake Bay bridge and tunnel system.
Jim

[trooper253]

Thanks for the help.

[antiqfreq]

I left South Fl 2/16/2010
and my fridge is still on......

We are still traveling.........

no problems!

Jo

[ftwildernessguy]

If it's just a 4 hour trip, I'd save the propane and just leave it off, as long as you cooled it down the night before. That fridge is like a big cooler and will hold the temp pretty well for short periods, especially if it's full.

[lonewolf]

When I had a fridge that ran on both propane and electric I left mine on when traveling with no problems. And it won't use that much propane while traveling so I would leave it on.

[Flyguy]

I agree with Lonewolf, in fact we turn the frig on (on electric) the day before we leave to pre-cool it (empty) and then load it in the morning and switch to LP before we leave.

[Firecapt]

In addition to posted tunnels, make sure you turn it off before entering a gas station. Not just while fueling, before you actually enter the station. ;)

I will pull off the road somewhere convenient when I am getting close to needing fuel and turn mine off, then leave the station and repeat the process. There have been more than one post on other forums (with pics) of fires started by leaving a water heater or refrigerator on while fueling. :eek:

[Camp]

We always run ours on but we start out with cold fridge cold food and frozen food. This is not a fast recovery unit like at home. Yes I agree about the gas station. You have an open flame on in there. Also, If you are moving the fridge is moving too. So it doesn't have to be level. If you park for a length of time it needs to be somewhat level if on. We changed a cooling unit for a friend that had his on and it slipped off the jack in soft ground. It was not fun or was it cheap. Be safe.

[Seann]

For 4 hours you are fine.. the fridge will keep things cold.. as long as you dont open the door. I always turn mine off then when I stop for coffee or driving break I turn it on for a while...