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03-16-2013, 06:09 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Boston
Posts: 50
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Is it Safe?
Hi Folks, here to pick your brains again.We are planning to go south next
week.The weather it kind on the cold side and I am wondering if it is safe
to travel with the heater running.I looked in the owners manual but it
has no reference to this issue.The thinking behind all this is that I am
trying to prevent the water to freeze in our passport 245rb.
Thanks for you input.
Bill
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03-16-2013, 06:26 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Fraser Valley BC Canada
Posts: 7,015
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If you have a Suburban furnace, there is a warning in the Owner's Manual that reads:
"Be sure the furnace and all ignition systems are OFF during any type of refueling and while the vehicle is in motion or being towed".
The same warning that appears again: "Do not operate the furnace while vehicle is in motion or being towed".
If you don't have a Suburban furnace, I would guess that this same warning would apply to any make or model.
Even if you ignored this warning, any heat that is conducted through to the underbelly would be quickly dissipated by the time it reached the water pipes.
I am assuming that you de-winterized your RV and that you are no longer protected. Perhaps before you travel south, it would be a wise move to re-winterize - blow out your lines and take the usual other winterizing precautions. When your get to warmer areas, de-winterize your rig. It doesn't take that long to do both procedures.
Take bottled water with you to tide you over enroute.
I can't imagine that it would be safe to travel with your furnace running!
__________________
2008 Cougar 5th Wheel 27RKS
2005 2500 GMC Duramax
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03-16-2013, 07:17 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Brant Lake,NY
Posts: 321
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I just got back from Florida this afternoon (live near Lake George,NY) and I winterized the 5er in North Carolina on the VA. border. Traveled that day with the heat off went to a Hotel for the night and turned the heat on to 50 for the plants that the DW brought home the temp in the RV during the day never went below 45 during the day(2 day trip). The temps below Richmond are warming up to above freezing tonight. When I went to Yellowstone a few years ago past a RV on fire he was traveling with the Heater On. He and DW spent the rest of the trip with a buddy and his wife sleeping in bunks. Also the Insurance would not pay for the camper because he had the heater on while traveling.
__________________
Gary & Gail
Alfa Gold 3905SH
2016 F350 DWD 4X4 6.7,3.73 Rear
2012 Cougar 318SAB
2015 F350 SWD 4X4 3.55 Rear
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03-16-2013, 07:25 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Venice
Posts: 5,346
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You might be taking a chance but I think that daytime temps in the Northeast next week should be above freezing. I will be heading South in two weeks and will definitely be carrying water. If I were you I would keep the lines blown out and make the decision to add water at last minute depending on temps.
As Festus2 said, I would not travel with heat on but I do get it nice and warm just before we leave and it seems to help. The dump valves are the most critical areas so I leave some antifreeze in each holding tank just in case. Travel safely and enjoy your trip, Hank
__________________
Hank & Lynn
2007 Cougar 290RKS, E-Z Flex, 16" XPS RIBs ( SOLD .. Gonna miss her ... looking for new 5r)
2004.5 Dodge 2500 QC, LB, 5.9HO, WestTach gauges, Ride-Rite
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03-16-2013, 09:24 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: North Florida
Posts: 1,241
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I wouldn't travel with the furnace or water heater on.
__________________
2006 Keystone Hornet 29RLS (The Cracker Cabana)
2009 F-250 SuperDuty CC 6.8L/4.10 (The Black Pearl)
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03-16-2013, 10:10 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Hickory Taver SC
Posts: 381
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We use a generator and ceramic heaters to travel.
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03-17-2013, 04:18 AM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Boston
Posts: 50
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Festus2
If you have a Suburban furnace, there is a warning in the Owner's Manual that reads:
"Be sure the furnace and all ignition systems are OFF during any type of refueling and while the vehicle is in motion or being towed".
The same warning that appears again: "Do not operate the furnace while vehicle is in motion or being towed".
If you don't have a Suburban furnace, I would guess that this same warning would apply to any make or model.
Even if you ignored this warning, any heat that is conducted through to the underbelly would be quickly dissipated by the time it reached the water pipes.
I am assuming that you de-winterized your RV and that you are no longer protected. Perhaps before you travel south, it would be a wise move to re-winterize - blow out your lines and take the usual other winterizing precautions. When your get to warmer areas, de-winterize your rig. It doesn't take that long to do both procedures.
Take bottled water with you to tide you over enroute.
I can't imagine that it would be safe to travel with your furnace running!
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Thank you Festus2 for answering my question.The trailer has an Atwood furnace.There are all kinds of warnings but nothing about moving with the
heat on.I think i will take your advice and de-winterize after i reach warmer
area.Although in the back of my head i wonder if you can operate the freedge
while moving why not the furnace,providing that everything is secured and does not block the hot air?
Thanks again
Bill
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03-17-2013, 04:32 AM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Boston
Posts: 50
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Thanks
Quote:
Originally Posted by hankpage
You might be taking a chance but I think that daytime temps in the Northeast next week should be above freezing. I will be heading South in two weeks and will definitely be carrying water. If I were you I would keep the lines blown out and make the decision to add water at last minute depending on temps.
As Festus2 said, I would not travel with heat on but I do get it nice and warm just before we leave and it seems to help. The dump valves are the most critical areas so I leave some antifreeze in each holding tank just in case. Travel safely and enjoy your trip, Hank
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Thanks Hank.
Well the temps during the day are above freezing but they go down to the
20's at night.I was thinking to de-winterize before leave Boston so I could
check for any leeks that might developed during the winter.I do not like
to have suprises when I reach the first campground in virginia.I was gonna
dump some antifreeze in the holding tanks to protect the dump valves.
They are predicting more snow for next week.So much for the Great weather
on the Northeast.So much for my luck.
Thanks again.Bill
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03-17-2013, 05:01 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Virginia
Posts: 865
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I don't know where you plan on stopping in Virginia, but if you stop at the KOA just north of Richmond, there is a Keystone dealer just across the interstate. Should you choose to de-winterized there and have a problem, the dealership may be of some service to you.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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03-17-2013, 06:03 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Northville NY in the Adirondacks
Posts: 2,128
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Quote:
Originally Posted by New Kid on the Block
Although in the back of my head i wonder if you can operate the fridge while moving why not the furnace, providing that everything is secured and does not block the hot air?
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The flame in the fridge is essentially a pilot light which produces just enough heat to drive the cooling cycle. But none of the manufacturers recommend that you run the fridge while traveling.
The furnace flame is much larger and hotter, kind of like a blow torch. Big difference when it comes to the potential of creating a fire in the trailer. It's also enough flame to produce enough carbon monoxide to fill the trailer to the danger point fairly quickly. If the thermocouple fails, it could easily fill the trailer with LP.
The Atwood owner's manual ( http://bryantrv.com/docs2/docs/opera...lameowners.pdf ) says Shut of the LP gas at the tanks when the vehicle is in motion. This disables all LP appliances. That tells me that the manufacturer is clearly recommending that no LP appliances be operated when the vehicle is in motion. While some folks will run the fridges when traveling, that by no means makes an approved or proper practice.
As already clearly related, Suburban says don't do it, too.
So I am wondering why this is even being debated.
__________________
'11 Cougar 326MKS loaded with mods
'12 Ford F250 SuperCab 6.7 PowerStroke Diesel
Amateur Radio: KD2IAT (146.520) GMRS: WQPG808 (462.675 TPL 141.3)
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03-17-2013, 04:02 PM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Boston
Posts: 50
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My Apologies
Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveC7010
The flame in the fridge is essentially a pilot light which produces just enough heat to drive the cooling cycle. But none of the manufacturers recommend that you run the fridge while traveling.
The furnace flame is much larger and hotter, kind of like a blow torch. Big difference when it comes to the potential of creating a fire in the trailer. It's also enough flame to produce enough carbon monoxide to fill the trailer to the danger point fairly quickly. If the thermocouple fails, it could easily fill the trailer with LP.
The Atwood owner's manual ( http://bryantrv.com/docs2/docs/opera...lameowners.pdf ) says Shut of the LP gas at the tanks when the vehicle is in motion. This disables all LP appliances. That tells me that the manufacturer is clearly recommending that no LP appliances be operated when the vehicle is in motion. While some folks will run the fridges when traveling, that by no means makes an approved or proper practice.
As already clearly related, Suburban says don't do it, too.
So I am wondering why this is even being debated.
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Well I have to apologie,read the atwood Pdf and you are 100% right.For some
reason I overlooked the small line in between all these warnings.Now I have to
go back and re-read the fridge manual.
Thanks again.
Bill
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03-17-2013, 04:06 PM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Boston
Posts: 50
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Quote:
Originally Posted by davidjsimons
I don't know where you plan on stopping in Virginia, but if you stop at the KOA just north of Richmond, there is a Keystone dealer just across the interstate. Should you choose to de-winterized there and have a problem, the dealership may be of some service to you.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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Thank you I will keep it in mind.
Bill
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03-23-2013, 03:02 AM
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#13
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 24
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They make 12 volt heaters that can electrically heat your trailer. Don't use gas (while driving) because of safety reasons...
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03-23-2013, 05:47 AM
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#14
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Permanent User Ban
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Posts: 1,124
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Our fridge is on all the time - traveling or not..
Heater / HWH - I have left them on by accident before. Of course no ill effects. I bet they just used a bunch more propane than they would sitting still due to heat loss of hwy speed winds.
If its NOT ok to run with the heater on, how do motor home drivers (those without aqua-hot) stay warm? The dash heater can not heat the entire cabin. Much the same issue during the summer where they've got to run the generator and roof AC to stay cool.
Not advocating it as I don't have much use to do so... But I suspect the manufacturer warning is more lawyer talk than a practical limitation.
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03-23-2013, 03:09 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Ohio
Posts: 216
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I've been traveling with the refrigerator on propane for 11 years in 2 different RVs. My present toyhauler has vents that are covered by the slides. I accidently had left the furnace on during an 8 hour ride home. The furnace has a pressure sensor that will shut the furnace off if inadeuquate air flow. I had to call atwood to see how to reset it.
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03-23-2013, 03:36 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Northville NY in the Adirondacks
Posts: 2,128
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SAD
If its NOT ok to run with the heater on, how do motor home drivers (those without aqua-hot) stay warm? The dash heater can not heat the entire cabin. Much the same issue during the summer where they've got to run the generator and roof AC to stay cool.
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Same way that ambulances and similar vehicles with large work space in a rear compartment do; they have a separate heating unit with a fan that uses the same engine water circulation system as the driver's compartment. There are two hefty hoses from the water pump to the rear heating unit for this.
Ambulance A/C is accomplished with a separate unit in the work area driven by a second compressor mounted on the engine. On motor homes, they run the genny to power the roof top units. Those don't use propane so there's no increased risk of fire or carbon monoxide or propane accidents.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SAD
Not advocating it as I don't have much use to do so... But I suspect the manufacturer warning is more lawyer talk than a practical limitation.
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Yeah, it probably is mostly lawyer talk, but every once in a while you do hear of a serious problem caused by a propane appliance running while refueling the motor home or tow vehicle.
__________________
'11 Cougar 326MKS loaded with mods
'12 Ford F250 SuperCab 6.7 PowerStroke Diesel
Amateur Radio: KD2IAT (146.520) GMRS: WQPG808 (462.675 TPL 141.3)
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03-23-2013, 05:25 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: NW New Mexico
Posts: 182
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If you can't have the gas on while traveling, how long can the food in fridge and freezer last? Often, when we travel, we drive 8-10 hours. I can't imagine the ice cream not being milk by then without the fridge in gas mode.
__________________
2005 F-250 PSD 4X4 SWB
2012 Cougar 328QBS
B&W Companion hitch
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03-23-2013, 05:45 PM
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#18
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Permanent User Ban
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Posts: 1,124
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cougarfamily
If you can't have the gas on while traveling, how long can the food in fridge and freezer last? Often, when we travel, we drive 8-10 hours. I can't imagine the ice cream not being milk by then without the fridge in gas mode.
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It 100% acceptable to run your fridge in gas mode when underway. Just observe regulatory prohibitions (typically tunnels, ferrys and refueling).
The concern brought up in this thread was regarding the furnace.
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03-25-2013, 02:57 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: NW New Mexico
Posts: 182
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SAD
It 100% acceptable to run your fridge in gas mode when underway. Just observe regulatory prohibitions (typically tunnels, ferrys and refueling).
The concern brought up in this thread was regarding the furnace.
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Thanks for the reply.
I have heard of the tunnel and ferry rule, but never the refueling. Is that as big a concern even if the fuel fill and the fridge are on opposite sides, and you were in the outside row of pumps w/fridge facing out?
I quess we have been extremely lucky as we have never shut it off while refueling any of our past campers!
__________________
2005 F-250 PSD 4X4 SWB
2012 Cougar 328QBS
B&W Companion hitch
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04-08-2013, 07:54 PM
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#20
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Torrance,CA
Posts: 67
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I typically travel to the deserts for dirt bike riding and leave at night after work. In the winter time I always run the furnace at about 50* because often times the outside temps can be in the 20's. It never occurred to me that this is a potential fire hazard. I feel a bit negligent, but also at the same time, how much of this is lawyer talk trying to eliminate liability? I do not plan on changing my traveling habits. I think the trick to this is to make sure that the coach does not have any propane leaks and for the toy haulers with on board fuel stations to make sure there are no fuel leaks. I think common sense plays a huge role. I do acknowledge that things can shift, loosen, break, etc while traveling down the road. As far as the law is concerned; don't they have enough to worry about. With that being said, in the event of an incident, aren't the insurance companies going to look for any tiny little thing to not pay out on a claim?
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1999 Ford F350 Dual Rears, Limited Slip 4.10, heavily modified engine and transmission, Class V hitch, goose neck and fifth wheel, Support air bags with in cab controls integrated into Dashboard
2013 Keystone Fuzion 301, Dual A/C's, Fantastic Fan 6600R, Upgraded stereo with an amplifier and subwoofer, Dirt Devil Central Vac, Dewalt pancake compressor, Black and Decker Space Maker Coffee maker, Cabinet above garage entry door, 5# mattress topper 2.5" thick
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