about my Norcold fridge

[bearsden]

A simple question about a 3-way camper fridge...can you and should run it on propane while you are towing down the road?
 
:confused:   Dennis   :confused:

[AustinBoston]

A simple question about a 3-way camper fridge...can you and should run it on propane while you are towing down the road?

I used to be a staunch opponent of this.  Now I'm more open.  The key thing is to turn it off before entering a filling station.  I just posted that there is plenty of exciting stuff on the evening news without seeing your story there! :yikes:

On many larger campers, using 12V is not an option.  When the fridge detects loss of 120V, it will switch to propane.  But those units have the flame hid deep inside, not just a single layer away from the gasoline fumes.

Having said that, I typically advise those who plan on using their battery (i.e. dry camping) to not use the fridge on 12V while towing.

Austin

[oldmoose]

About half the time I tow with the propane on, especially if it's hot.Moose

[tknick]

On the TT we used to have, there wasn't a 12v option.  It was 120v or propane.  Towed with propane all the time.  worked great, never blew out.  Like Austin said, turned off fridge when filling up (which was quite frequently with the TT).  On our current PU, I use 12v because it's there and I don't have to remember to turn it off when filling up.

travis

[wynot]

A simple question about a 3-way camper fridge...can you and should run it on propane while you are towing down the road?
 
:confused: Dennis :confused:

I don't have the best luck with the flame staying lit while driving, and the 12 V works just fine.  The only time I would light it, would be if I am parking somewhere for 30 minutes or more and it is hot out.  I personally disconnect the Bargman from the Tahoe when stopped for lunch or whatever, and let the hotel/camper battery supply the juice for the interim.  Now, if I were going to a dry campsite, I would disconnect my fully charged battery entirely from the system, and run the 12V off of the tow vehicle when towing, and on propane while parked.
 
I really think it is bad form to run a popup on propane in a gas station, Maryland won't let you run propane tanks through tunnels anyhow, let alone on propane.

[cb]

Our Norcold refrig has been the most consistent failure of our PUP.  We went through three of them before getting one that has lasted about 4 years.  A LARGE problem with all of them has been that the door falls off in transit.  We do camp in the boonies and go over some rough roads, so the easiest remedy has been to leave the door off while traveling and only install it and start it up after we are levelled and set up.  We do this even when we are on improved roads.  Works for us.

[tlhdoc]

I use the 12 volt option when towing, even when dry camping.  I am not willing to take a chance.