gas on, gas off old argument

[GeneF]

Whether to tow with the propane on or off has long been discussed on this and other forums.

Just thought this recent article in my local paper might be of interest.

A motorhome caught fire, fire started under the hood. This is an excerpt from the article:

"Stanly explained that this type of vehicle has a propane tank in the front end of the vehicle, where the fire started rather than the traditional gas tank in the rear.

"...said when crews arrived on the scene the vehicle was releasing propane"

"It's a wonder this thing didn't blow"

The motorhome was a total loss. Interesting thing is the guy had picked it up for a friend from a mechanic. The mechnanic had done $2600 worth of work under the hood.

[JUST4FUN]

I thought the tanks are suppose to vent when they grt hot like from a fire instead of exploding . I think this is a safty thing built in ti it

[brainpause]

"...said when crews arrived on the scene the vehicle was releasing propane"

"It's a wonder this thing didn't blow"

If there was a fire near the tank, it is usually better that it is releasing propane, rather than not releasing propane. If it was releasing propane through its relief valve, then that is a good thing. If it didn't, a BLEVE (pronounced BLEVeee) could happen. That is a Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion, and they are not pretty to be around.

The other side of the coin of this, is if it is releasing propane, and a cloud of propane gathers, and it finally reaches its LLF (lower limit of flammability), and it explodes then.

Not a good situation either way.

I was on the nozzle at a car fire that had hit a natural gas line. The natural gas line was on fire as well. We were very careful NOT to put the gas line fire out, as we WANTED to have the natural gas burning, and not gather a cloud.

Here are a couple of pictures from that event:

[Dee4j]

I always thought not to have the propane on while towing, but my hybrid frig is either electric or propane. it doesn't have the battery option like my PU

[gsm x2]

What is the controversy on having the propane tank on or off?
 
If you're not camping, turn the tank off.  What's the upside to keeping the valve open when the downside is leaking propane through a leaky hose, open stove valve, or a leaky connector?
 
Scott

[brainpause]

What is the controversy on having the propane tank on or off?
 
If you're not camping, turn the tank off.  What's the upside to keeping the valve open when the downside is leaking propane through a leaky hose, open stove valve, or a leaky connector?
 
Scott

I think the upside is that some folks say their fridge works better on propane, and run it that way while driving.

My fear would be when pulling into a gas station to fill'er up. I hope they extinguish that pilot light before going to a gas station.

Larry

[TheViking]

I was just having this conversation with my in-laws. I don't tow with my propane on for the refer, the 12V battery handles that. But like you Dee, my in-laws have a Bus type motorhome that has no 12V to the refer.  It either works on propane or electric.  That would be a little tense pulling into a gas station that says "No Smoking" wioth a lit pilot light just inside that little vented door.

[chasd60]

Was this a motorhome or a propane powered vehicle? The article says "this type of vehicle has a propane tank in the front end of the vehicle, where the fire started rather than the traditional gas tank in the rear"
 
That would seem to imply it was a propane powered vehicle and had no gas tank in the rear.
 
I travel with my propane on unless I go through a tunnel that requires it to be off. My hybrid refrigerator/freezer does not have a 12VDC option to operate the refrigerator/freezer. We make stops during our travels and get things from the refrigerator or freezer for lunch or snacks. I do not have a pilot light, it has DSI (direct spark ignition) instead. Before I pull up to the pumps, I flip the switch off and after I have pulled away from the pumps, I flip the switch back on.
 
There are many propane powered vehicles in existance and of course they have the propane on at all times.

[TheViking]

Man, that would be nice to be able to pull over and get a sandwich out of the fridge.  We used to do that, but the DW got tired of having to crank up the roof, go inside and then crank the roof down again.  I told her it was good exercise !!

[gsm x2]

Man, that would be nice to be able to pull over and get a sandwich out of the fridge. We used to do that, but the DW got tired of having to crank up the roof, go inside and then crank the roof down again. I told her it was good exercise !!

That's the reason we got an Igloo electric cooler.  It's plugged into the 12v system in the car.  Or fridge in the p/u rarely has much in it.
 
 Scott

[Dee4j]

I think the upside is that some folks say their fridge works better on propane, and run it that way while driving.

My fear would be when pulling into a gas station to fill'er up. I hope they extinguish that pilot light before going to a gas station.

Larry

I never thought about that either, I haven't had to get gas yet while hooked up. hmmm I wonder if mine starts all by itself and I don't have to light it like the water heater does this mean I have a DSI??

I recieved an informative e-mail from a fellow PUer with a hybrid and he has towed several hours (even in hot weather) w/o the fridge on. I think I will try this in April.  my long trip I will be stopping overnight after about 4 hours, I think when I make the big lunch break I can turn it on, and then turn it off when we hit the road. after what happened to my friends Dad, I'm even MORE nervous

[chasd60]

I never thought about that either, I haven't had to get gas yet while hooked up. hmmm I wonder if mine starts all by itself and I don't have to light it like the water heater does this mean I have a DSI??
 
I recieved an informative e-mail from a fellow PUer with a hybrid and he has towed several hours (even in hot weather) w/o the fridge on. I think I will try this in April. my long trip I will be stopping overnight after about 4 hours, I think when I make the big lunch break I can turn it on, and then turn it off when we hit the road. after what happened to my friends Dad, I'm even MORE nervous

Genef did a whirlwind tour last year for about 60 days and he said he never left his fridge on while traveling and the food was OK.

[brainpause]

Was this a motorhome or a propane powered vehicle? The article says "this type of vehicle has a propane tank in the front end of the vehicle, where the fire started rather than the traditional gas tank in the rear"
 
That would seem to imply it was a propane powered vehicle and had no gas tank in the rear.
 

That's the reason I thought there is probably a relief valve (see my previous post).

Larry

[hoppy]

My 2001 Coleman / Fleetwood owner's manual states, and I quote.....

 WARNING:
 "Do not attempt to operate any liquid propane appliance while the trailer is in tow"   (Page # 29)

  Fleetwood thought that it was important enough to include in the manual.

 That's good enough for me.

 I guess since the Mesa has the 12 VDC setting on the fridge and can be powered by the TV using the 7- pin connector, this would be the safest  recommended way to operate the fridge.

[flyfisherman]

Likewise, my Starcraft owner's manual says not to do it - says (per se), not only is it being unsafe, it is also illegal in some states to do so. They give the example of the possible danger of a fire or explosion should there be an accident and the gas line under pressure becoming ruptured. Also, my L/P suppier says the same thing, only real adamantly! I go so far as to not only turn the tank gas valve off, but also burn all the remaining fuel in the line off - when I turn off the tank valve, I have a stove burner on and wait until the burner goes out for lack of fuel. Important here to remember to shut the stove burner off after it goes out so it will be off when you turn the main valve back on!


Fly