Traveling with refrigerator on

[FRANANDTOMMY]

is it okay to travel with the propane gas on so the refrigerator cools down before we get to the campground. ?
as I am leaving tomorrow, please respond to me with a PM.

[JRTJH]

Some say YES some say NO. There are a number of threads devoted specifically to this topic. I'd say the majority feel it's OK and travel with the propane on and refrigerator operating. Clearly, the majority of members do NOT feel operating the furnace is acceptable and I'd urge you to keep the furnace turned off at the thermostat.

You might want to turn on your refrigerator before you leave home rather than when you leave home. That way it will already be cooled down (about 24 hours usually) and you'll know if it's operating properly before you hitch up and leave home. Nobody likes a surprise like a warm refrigerator when you unlock the camper, put the slide out and while you're working on the awning, your DW calls you with, "Honey, the refrigerator is broken."

Turn it on a day before you plan to leave, someday you'll be thankful you did.

[B&T]

The only time I shut down the Fridge while traveling is just prior to and during a fuel stop.

[KYFamily]

I've never turned my refrigerator off for any reason while traveling for the past 10 years we' ve been camping.

[theeyres]

Originally Posted by KYFamily

I've never turned my refrigerator off for any reason while traveling for the past 10 years we' ve been camping.

x2...except we've been camping for 40 years and never turned it off.

[outwest]

Another person here that travels with it on. That being said, our tow vehicle is diesel and we fill up using the trucker fueling area. Since diesel fumes don't ignite as readily as gasoline fumes, our risk of a fire or explosion when fueling up is a lot lower than people whose tow vehicle uses gasoline.

[PT RV`er]

Originally Posted by KYFamily

I've never turned my refrigerator off for any reason while traveling for the past 10 years we' ve been camping.

X2 same here

[airforceret]

I always travel with the fridge turned on, however when refueling, I do take into consideration which pump I'm pulling up to. Depending on the location of your fridge, if you pull up to the second pump at some aisles, your fridge may be next to the fuel pump you passed by. When this occurs, you do run the risk of a deadly gas fire/explosion. Knowing the location of your fridge and keeping in mind that it does have a flame burning will go a long way to keeping you and others safe in your travels.

[Javi]

Generally I light the fridge the evening before we are to begin our travels and turn it off when we return and unload it.

[2014Fuzion300]

Originally Posted by outwest

Another person here that travels with it on. That being said, our tow vehicle is diesel and we fill up using the trucker fueling area. Since diesel fumes don't ignite as readily as gasoline fumes, our risk of a fire or explosion when fueling up is a lot lower than people whose tow vehicle uses gasoline.

X2 here, another advantage of diesel trucks!

[FRANANDTOMMY]

Thank all of you for your responses.... Have a happy holiday

fran and tommy

[bobbecky]

I know this thread was specifically about running the refrigerator while traveling (and we do), but John did mention about use of the furnace while traveling and recommended not using it. I think you have to look at your situation to make that call. When we left Missouri earlier this month, heading towards NM, it was in the teens, and as our heater ducts are open when the slides are in, and not wanting to freeze our water system, we ran with the heater at 60 degrees. We did not freeze our plumbing when doing this. We had one time when the propane ran out late in the day prior to arriving at a campground, that the water didn't flow due to the cold when we stopped for a restroom break, so we know the heater running helps prevent freezing of the plumbing. Everyone needs to make this decision for their circumstances.

[Yak]

I used to. Upon returning home from a trip this year I was greeted with beeping from the camper, opened it, and found the smell of propane. Apparently I had bumped the stove and turned one burner on.

[Bluewater]

ALL refer manufurers do in fact suggest using your refer while on the road.
They are built to withstand the hiway use.