Refridgerator use while towing

[NiagraRising]

We just bought our first PUP and were wondering if anyone knows if you can turn on the refridgerator (LP Mode) while towing it? We will be dry camping and want it to get cold enroute to our campsite. Thanks for the help.

[Blue E]

We just bought our first PUP and were wondering if anyone knows if you can turn on the refridgerator (LP Mode) while towing it? We will be dry camping and want it to get cold enroute to our campsite. Thanks for the help.

Sure you can turn it on while driving enroute.  Most fridges have a choice of modes, LP, 12 V, and 110.  It's just a matter of turning it on, in the LP mode.
Although, I usually find it's easier to put it at 12V mode while towing, and let the battery ( charged by the tow vehicles alternator) run it while driving...

[motoboss2002]

Your fridge can run on 12V, 110V and propane. Plug it into a 110V outlet at home for 24 h before your trip. It'll get cold. Then hitch up and switch to 12V. When you get to your campsite hook up and switch back to 110V or propane if you don't have hookups. I don't think it is safe to tow while running on propane.
Happy camping.

[zamboni]

Please note, the 12V mode puts a good strain on your battery system.  PLUS, even so, is weak enough that it can only "maintain" the temperature.

Thus, please do not expect to put warm things in the fridge and have them cool after running it on 12V.  That is why it was suggested you plug it in 24-hrs before.  Put only already-cold items into the fridge right before switching to battery.

Lastly, if you are running the fridge on battery, there is the chance that you will not have a "full" battery when you get to your campsite.  It will be close, but it is possible for the camper fridge to draw more power than your TV provides to recharge the camper battery.

Some people run their fridges on propane, even when towing... but if the wind blows out the pilot light, then you've lost your cooling (bigger campers are electric igniting - but small ones like Niagara's aren't).

[flyfisherman]

All of the RV manufacturer's of campers I've owned, including my present Starcraft, advised against using L/P while traveling, that the main tank valve be shut off. The number one reason being the danger of a fire or explosion if an L/P line were ruptured in an accident. As it's quite often pointed out on this and other boards, there are a lot of idiot drivers out there and towing a trailer amongest them is the most risky part of camping. As for me, l prefer to side with safety and keep the L/P tank valve closed while in transit. Try to keep some of the odds in my favor; besides, I'd rather end this life drowning in some river's fast current, going down with fly rod in hand, as to perish in some highway accident fire because I left the L/P gas valve open. Remote? Maybe, but one less concern whle tooling down the road.

If the 3-way frig were to be plugged into shore power and pre-chilled, the food stuffs would remain cold for a considerable amount of time and miles, even being completely turned off. Operating under the 12V mode while traveling insures the cold temp will be maintained. Of course there's the admonishment not to make too long of a pit stop while in the 12V mode as it could run the battery down. I use to unplug the tow vehicle/camper electric connection if we were stopping for a meal.

Starcraft also points out that there are regulations in some states and places against traveling and having a gas appliance in operation.



Fly

[tlhdoc]

Welcome to PUT!

You should precool the refrigerator at least 24 hours to get it cold.  Your refrigerator does not work like the one at home (no compressor and fan) and you will not hear anything running when it is in use.  If you can't precool it.  Put some frozen items in it.  That will also allow you to tow without the refrigerator on.  If you put a lot of warm food or drinks in the refrigerator it will take a long time to cool it back down.  Do you have a hot line in your TV?  If not do NOT run your refrigerator on battery or you will have a dead camper battery when you get to the campsite.  Good luck and happy camping.