Propane fridge in tow?

[uchwear]

Can you use the propane fridge while you are towing?  We camped in a state park about 45 minutes away from home this weekend (our first trip in our first popup) and we lit the propane fridge in the driveway.  The pilot went out sometime during the journey.  My propane bottle was low but not totally empty. Could that be the problem?  The 12v setting doesn't seem to work and I'm afraid the food will get warm on a  long road trip.  

Thanks.

[wavery]

Can you use the propane fridge while you are towing?  We camped in a state park about 45 minutes away from home this weekend (our first trip in our first popup) and we lit the propane fridge in the driveway.  The pilot went out sometime during the journey.  My propane bottle was low but not totally empty. Could that be the problem?  The 12v setting doesn't seem to work and I'm afraid the food will get warm on a  long road trip.  

Thanks.

We always run our propane fridge while towing. I've never had the pilot go out yet.

I suppose that it may be a bit safer to run the 12V while towing but I have found the 12V to be very inefficient.

I have heard that some say that it is illegal to have the propane turned on while towing but I haven't seen proof of that and don't know what states that effects, if it is true. I know that it is illegal to transport propane through tunnels in some states but that would include all propane (on or not), I think.

[AustinBoston]

The 12V option on a pop-up fridge is only meant to be a "holding" mechanism, one that keeps an already cold fridge cold for a while longer, but not indefinitely.  In addition, if the Aux 12V connection to your Tow Vehicle is not really robust, or if the ground connection is not even more robust (this means the whole circuit), the fridge may start draining your pop-up battery on 12V.  

The other problem with using the fridge on 12V is forgetting to turn it off when you make a pit stop.  Anything more than an hour, and your fridge may reward you with an extended stop while you wait for a jumpstart.

The main risk with propane is the gas station.  While I would not consider the likelihood of a problem very high, the consequences could be extreme.  Turn it off before entering the station,  or fill the tank before connecting the trailer.

Some states forbid propane tanks in tunnels, some require it to be turned off at the tank in tunnels.

I have used both.  Generally, if I know I'm going to have an electric site, I use the 12V, and if I will be dry camping, I'll use propane.

Austin

[oldmoose]

I have used both while driving and also have not had the pilot go out. CA gas stations have signs telling you to turn off propane while getting fuel.Moose

[ScoobyDoo]

My PUP has copper propane lines. I am old enough to remember copper air lines on trucks. My propane WILL be shut off at the tank when I am moving.
  On time we pluged in at home overnite to prechill the fridge. Packed it, unpluged about 4 hrs. When I was setting up I discovered that the refer was still on 110, It stayed cold without running.

[AustinBoston]

My PUP has copper propane lines. I am old enough to remember copper air lines on trucks. My propane WILL be shut off at the tank when I am moving.
  On time we pluged in at home overnite to prechill the fridge. Packed it, unpluged about 4 hrs. When I was setting up I discovered that the refer was still on 110, It stayed cold without running.

Obviously, having the propane off at the valve is better, but probably not as much as you might think.  

What was the pressure on those brake lines?  A pop-up would have to have a defective regulator to go over 2 psi, and nearly all propane tanks today have an OPD device that will shut off the gas in the event that significant amounts of gas actually flow (such as with a broken line).  Some OPD valves are so sensitive that I have heard of some having to turn the valve on very slowly so that it doesn't shut off due to pressurizing the lines.

Austin

[GeneF]

"I know that it is illegal to transport propane through tunnels in some states but that would include all propane (on or not), I think."

Wavery

It depends on where you are.

If you try to go through the Sumner Tunnel in Boston, you will get stopped.  NO propane there.

Cheasapeek Bay Bridge Tunnel Complex in VA,  you have to turn your propane off but you can use the complex.

In about 15 years of owning popups with a fridge and now the hybrid, I have never run with the propane on.  I have never lost any food doing this and I have done it in some very warm weather.

Not trying to start the old argument of "On or Off'.  Each person can do what they are comfortable with.

[tknick]

Austin hit the most important point.  12v is only good for a pre-chilled fridge.  The other thing you can do to ensure your 12v is working as efficiently as possible is to make sure it is baffled correctly and it wouldn't hurt to add a fan to adequate air circulation.  I used to have a 28ft TT and it was either propane or 110v (no 12v option).  We always traveled with the propane on and never had it go out and never had any problems with cooling.  Now that we have the PUP, we use 12v and again never had any problems.

HERE is a picture of my baffle and fan setup.

If your TV isn't wired with a relay on the 12v charge line, that is the ticket to making sure your fridge doesn't drain your battery.  mine came that way from the factory.  no voltage unless the engine is running.  so my PUP battery may go dead, but i'll still be able to start the car.  then i guess I'll light the propane up and be on my way!

travis

[ScoobyDoo]

What was the pressure on those brake lines? A pop-up would have to have a defective regulator to go over 2 psi

    Pressure on the brake lines = 0. When the crack would show up would be when the press was suposed to go up to 5-30lbs. The lines don't break from pressure but vibration. A crack in the line could make a box full of gas without killing the flame on the ref. I will gamble with an overload but I want the propane contained.YMMV

[offagain]

Can you use the propane fridge while you are towing?  We camped in a state park about 45 minutes away from home this weekend (our first trip in our first popup) and we lit the propane fridge in the driveway.  The pilot went out sometime during the journey.  My propane bottle was low but not totally empty. Could that be the problem?  The 12v setting doesn't seem to work and I'm afraid the food will get warm on a  long road trip.  

Thanks.

We always pre chill our fridge in the driveway with 110 or propane depending on what time of year it is.Then we drive with the propane on.When we get to our site we leave the propane on or switch to 110 depending on outside temperature.We have never had any problems.I am guessing that the propane was low and thats why it went out.Just my 2 cents,good luck to you.