etu Posted August 7, 2017 Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 We have never used our 5ver fridge on propane except once just to see that it works. Most our trips are less than 8 hours so we have only used it on AC. Now we are heading from GA to South Dakota so several successive days on the road. My question is it safe to leave the fridge in LP mode while traveling? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbaraok Posted August 7, 2017 Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 We do - and a lot will follow telling you how dangerous this is and how we will be dead shortly. Some do, some don't. Barb & Dave O'Keeffe 2002 Alpine 36 MDDS (Figment II), 2018 Ford C-Max HYBRID Blog: http://www.barbanddave.net SPK# 90761 FMCA #F337834 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truckman Posted August 7, 2017 Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 I did for almost 40 years and nearly 500000 miles with no problem, have a residential fridge now or we would still be doing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Corey Posted August 7, 2017 Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 Ditto here. Have always traveled with fridge running on propane. Jim Corey 2006 Monaco Monarch 30 pdd '12 Honda CRV toad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yarome Posted August 7, 2017 Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 Same. Always travel with it on, however, I do shut it down while fueling by turning off the LP at the external tanks. Turn it back on before leaving then somewhere down the road it will kick back on as needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
57becky Posted August 7, 2017 Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 We also travel with it on propane and have for a long time. If we stop for more than maybe 15 minutes and are not level, we turn off the fridge to protect it from overheating which will damage the cooling unit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yarome Posted August 7, 2017 Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 10 minutes ago, 57becky said: we turn off the fridge to protect it from overheating which will damage the cooling unit. That's true. I "do" shut mine down if I'm going to be on anything over 4% grade for any length of time. Pretty few and far between though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted August 7, 2017 Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 10 hours ago, etu said: My question is it safe to leave the fridge in LP mode while traveling? That is one of those often debated issues, but the system is designed to be used when traveling. It has a special valve in each tank that will stop all flow of propane if the line should suddenly rupture for some reason so while it isn't without any risk, little in life is. Like others who have responded here, we had done so nearly all of the time for many years. 5 hours ago, 57becky said: If we stop for more than maybe 15 minutes and are not level, we turn off the fridge to protect it from overheating which will damage the cooling unit. We used to do that, but since we had our ARP-RV installed, we do not have that issue to worry about. Mark Nemeth wrote a very positive review of it several years ago. Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NH2 Posted August 7, 2017 Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 7 hours ago, Yarome said: Always travel with it on, however, I do shut it down while fueling by turning off the LP at the external tanks I agree with shutting it down but not at the LP tanks. I recommend turning off the power switch at the fridge. Turning off the the LP tanks will starve the system of propane but the refrigerator's spark ignition system will attempt to relight the now-non-existent propane over and over again thus creating a potential hazard while refueling. Mark Mark & Sue---SKP#86611 '06 International 4400LoPro DT570 310hp 950ft-lbs.-Allison--3.70 gears '05 36' Teton Liberty '12 BMW F650 twin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yarome Posted August 7, 2017 Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 21 minutes ago, NH2 said: I agree with shutting it down but not at the LP tanks. But... I'm too lazy to go inside to shut off the reefer.. and still wanna feel like I'm being "cautious" (when I remember to do even that). As Kirk said.. they are designed for use in travel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sculptor Posted August 7, 2017 Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 We always have left ours on while driving. Thanks for the tips on turning it off while fueling though. I will from now on. Kevin and June 2013 Volvo VNL 730 D13 Eco-Torque @ 425 Ratio 2.47 2014 DRV 36TKSB3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ms60ocb Posted August 8, 2017 Report Share Posted August 8, 2017 17 hours ago, Yarome said: That's true. I "do" shut mine down if I'm going to be on anything over 4% grade for any length of time. Pretty few and far between though. I have a residential refrig now so I forget the exact number but I think the off level stated in the manual was 6 or 7 %. I had problems going into one park with a 8% rough hill. I had problems until I turned off the refrig at the refrig ,15 minutes before entering that area. Never had any other problems which included any place I drove in WY, CO and NM. Leave the refrig on as it takes a long time to cool down. I had the problem when the left side was elevated side on a 4 door model refrig Clay pulled by diesel Clay & Marcie Too old to play in the snow Diesel pusher and previously 2 FW and small Class C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnina Posted August 8, 2017 Report Share Posted August 8, 2017 We have traveled 43,000 miles in 2 different RV's over the last 8.5 years. We use the propane anytime we don't have the genny running and we have never had an issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
etu Posted August 8, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2017 Thanks for all the feedback. I'm looking forward to using it on propane on this trip. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RV_Fan44 Posted August 9, 2017 Report Share Posted August 9, 2017 Agree on the fueling tips regarding this topic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freestoneangler Posted August 10, 2017 Report Share Posted August 10, 2017 Guilty as charged. I've left mine running on the class C and both truck campers we've owned and never had an issue. One of the truck campers did have a tendency to blow out the flame under certain wind conditions, but I just learned to check it at stops in route. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray,IN Posted August 11, 2017 Report Share Posted August 11, 2017 On 8/7/2017 at 7:38 AM, Kirk Wood said: That is one of those often debated issues, but the system is designed to be used when traveling. It has a special valve in each tank that will stop all flow of propane if the line should suddenly rupture for some reason so while it isn't without any risk, little in life is. Like others who have responded here, we had done so nearly all of the time for many years. We used to do that, but since we had our ARP-RV installed, we do not have that issue to worry about. Mark Nemeth wrote a very positive review of it several years ago. After reading your review and thoughts about ARP, I bought a 2.1 model, oldjohnT helped me do the wiring and it works great. Adding the optional blower fan lowered interior frig temp 10*F on same frig setting. 2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA ." And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy 20 Jan 1961 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alie&Jim's Carrilite Posted August 11, 2017 Report Share Posted August 11, 2017 Our Norcold (but it always stayed cold) lived on the Auto setting.... It did its job of switching from Elec to LP and back. Never turned it off until yesterday when the towing company came to salvage the RV. We added the interior fans and re baffled the top air for air flow and it just worked. Alie & Jim + 8 paws 2017 DRV Memphis BART- 1998 Volvo 610 Lil'ole 6cyl Cummins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted August 11, 2017 Report Share Posted August 11, 2017 9 hours ago, Ray,IN said: After reading your review and thoughts about ARP, I bought a 2.1 That is the one that I have on my travel trailer refrigerator as well. Ours didn't come with any fan and that makes a big difference. If you are familiar with Mark Nemeth, he also has one and has long recommended them in his classes at RV Boot Camp. I don't know if that is still true since Mark retired. Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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