RV frig in the cold????

[rbertalotto]

I'm leaving on a trip today from New England to the Southwest. On my trip, the weather forecast is  upper 20s to low 30s (F)  at night and 40-50 during the day. How cold (ambient temperature) can I operate my propane refrigerator/freezer?

[Kirk W]

The nightly low temperatures will be pushing the lower limit. I would cover about half of the ventilation openings in the access panel and it should do fine as that will probably keep it warm enough. Once you get south, remove that cover. 

[2gypsies]

Don't worry about it... could even turn it off overnight.  The outside temperature is cold enough that things will keep cold enough.  Leave door closed as much as possible.  

Hope you're heading due south and then west to stay out of possible storms.

[Ray,IN]

4 hours ago, Kirk W said:

The nightly low temperatures will be pushing the lower limit. I would cover about half of the ventilation openings in the access panel and it should do fine as that will probably keep it warm enough. Once you get south, remove that cover. 

X2.

RoyB,

The cooling system works by boiling the heat transfer liquid, then as it cools it draws heat from inside the freezer and refrigerator.

That is why covering the wall openings is advised, otherwise the heat transfer liquid cannot reach boiling temperature.

[rbertalotto]

Thank you all. I think I'll put something over the outside vent.......

Yes, South, then west....Easy travel...Route 40, 30, 20, 10......!

[sandsys]

7 hours ago, rbertalotto said:

Thank you all. I think I'll put something over the outside vent.......

Yes, South, then west....Easy travel...Route 40, 30, 20, 10......!

I don't understand 40, 30, 20, 10.

At this time of year, it's best to go south all the way to I-10 as fast as you can. From Minneapolis, MN, I always got on I-35 and just went SOUTH! Most places north of I-10 are colder than most RVers like.

Linda

[jenandjon]

18 hours ago, sandsys said:

I don't understand 40, 30, 20, 10.

At this time of year, it's best to go south all the way to I-10 as fast as you can. From Minneapolis, MN, I always got on I-35 and just went SOUTH! Most places north of I-10 are colder than most RVers like.

Linda

I-40 to I-30 to I-20 to I-10 That is the quickest way to I-10 when you are headed to the southwest from the northeast. 

[sandsys]

6 hours ago, jenandjon said:

I-40 to I-30 to I-20 to I-10 That is the quickest way to I-10 when you are headed to the southwest from the northeast. 

Those are all east-west roads and none of them go into the northeastern states. You must have some odd numbered highway, like I-95, to take you south first. I'd take that all the way down to Florida before turning west. Yes, it's longer but it gets you to warm faster. Which I would think would be your goal at this time of year; it would certainly be mine. But, you do you.

Linda

[2gypsies]

You're probably on your way by now but another suggestion would be to just leave the refrigerator off and shop for your refrigerator when you get in milder weather.  It only takes a day or two before the bitter cold is gone.  In the meantime, fill a cooler with drinks and sandwich fixings, snacks, etc. and eat your main meals in restaurants for that first one or two days.

[Larry Burkett]

I left for Daytona, at -12 degrees, and had the fridge running, furnace set at 60 degrees and had no troubles at all.

[bruce t]

What about the beer? How do you keep it cold if you turn your fridge off? 🤗

[TXiceman]

7 hours ago, bruce t said:

What about the beer? How do you keep it cold if you turn your fridge off? 🤗

If it is that cold, just set the beer outside for a bit.

Ken

[Ray,IN]

5 hours ago, TXiceman said:

If it is that cold, just set the beer outside for a bit.

Ken

Or lay it in front of the radiator, remove immediately when stopped. Oh-wait, newer vehicles don't have that optional cooling place.

[jenandjon]

On 1/23/2023 at 1:02 AM, bruce t said:

What about the beer? How do you keep it cold if you turn your fridge off? 🤗

I have a second fridge that runs off an inverter hooked to 2 250-amp hour AGM batteries.  That is where the beer goes. 

[Ray,IN]

13 hours ago, jenandjon said:

I have a second fridge that runs off an inverter hooked to 2 250-amp hour AGM batteries.  That is where the beer goes. 

I respect a man who keeps his priorities in order.

[Danfreda1]

Never had a problem with the rv refrigerator and have been in the teens more than once.