You’re about to go camping and you’re loaded up and ready to go. How do you keep your groceries cold though? Many people choose to run their propane refrigerator while traveling.
Is it dangerous to run your RV refrigerator while traveling? Some say yes, some say no. Let’s look into the pros and cons of using a propane powered fridge.
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SHOULD YOU USE PROPANE REFRIGERATOR WHILE TRAVELING?
We’ve just recently learned how to turn our fridge on with propane (please don’t shame us…we just haven’t needed it since we mostly travel locally!). Since learning how to turn it on, I’ve done some research on whether or not it’s even ALLOWED to use the propane refrigerator while traveling.
I mean, OBVIOUSLY, you CAN use the fridge, but SHOULD you use the refrigerator while traveling in the first place?
What I’ve learned is that accidents can, and will, happen…just in general, so extra caution should be used when using propane to power the fridge. At least, that’s my understanding.
The danger is that pretty much anything could happen to the supply lines or to anything operating with propane (water heater, fridge, stove, furnace, etc.), then gas could pool up and potentially get ignited while traveling. That sounds pretty horrendous to me!
So, if it’s dangerous to run my refrigerator while traveling, how am I supposed to keep my groceries cold for long road trips?
Here’s one of the coolest ideas (see what I did there…coolest…get it? HAHA!) I’ve learned while researching for this post…a typical RV refrigerator only loses about 4 degrees per every 6-8 hours that it’s off.
TURN IT ON THE DAY BEFORE TRAVELING
This is something we’ve always done. Since we park our camper right outside of our house, we plug it in as soon as we get home. This keeps the fridge nice and mildew free.
It also keeps the fridge COLD! If this isn’t an option for you, try using the propane to cool the fridge the day before.
Load the refrigerator while it’s on and give it time to cool back down before turning it off for travel.
TURN OFF THE REFRIGERATOR WHILE TRAVELING
No smoke & mirrors here, and it’s not rocket science either. Just travel with it off and keep it shut. Since we have a travel trailer, we don’t usually enter it while we’re traveling, but when we do, we keep the fridge shut.
One post I read recommended using the Camco Fridge Airator Fan. It keeps the air circulating in the refrigerator while traveling and keeps the food fresh even under normal circumstances. Here’s a link:
We keep a small ice chest in the car for water bottles and packed lunches. One of my class A friends does the same to keep her drinks near the cockpit (is this a thing…that’s how I see the driver/passenger area anyway!).
If you’re new to RVing, check out this post about RV equipment needed and this post about “luxury items” you might need and want when you begin RVing.
USE THE GENERATOR
Now, since my little camper doesn’t have a generator, this is hard for me to imagine, but two of my best friends both have big class A RVs and both of them use the generator to run the refrigerator while traveling.
Since mine is small, I always imagine a little generator strapped to the back of my rig (Beverly Hillbilly style, of course!), and having it running while I’m driving. Even though I have a vivid imagination, I know this is not what the pros are talking about. I’ve seen the big rigs myself and their generators are GIGANTIC! This seems like a GREAT alternative if you have it.
USE THE THREE WAY SWITCH
If you’re one of the lucky few that have a three-way switch on your fridge, you can use DC power option (battery or solar panels) to run your refrigerator while traveling. Just out of my own curiosity, I found a link here:
IF YOU CHOOSE TO USE PROPANE
If after reading these ideas and still think it’s ok to use the propane refrigerator while traveling, read over these precautions:
- KNOW LOCAL LAWS – I think it’s fair to say that I can’t possibly know EVERY state’s laws on operating a vehicle with an open flame (even though I’ve read about 10 posts or more prepping for this post), I also think it’s fair to say you should check out the matter with each state you will be attempting to traverse. The consensus that I’ve read is that most states ALLOW you to use propane, but you should do your due diligence just in case.
- KNOW WHEN TO TURN IT OFF – Again, the consensus seems to be that it is not only frowned upon but COMPLETELY ILLEGAL to have the open flame at a gas station. It also seems to be well-known that you can’t enter a tunnel (and apparently some bridges) with an open flame. I also read that it’s not permitted on ferries. PLEASE CHECK the laws and rules where you are and where you are headed.
Many, many people seem to still use their propane while traveling and seem to be none the worse for it. I’m sure there are a few horror stories out there that perpetuate the tales and folklore surrounding this.
Of course, if you have one of the horror stories, you most likely have a different opinion on the subject, which I’d understand!
MORE LINKS
If you’re interested in reading a few of the posts I read to prep for this post, here are a few I found helpful:
This guy suggested packing the empty spaces in the fridge with cold beverages. I might even go so far as packing frozen water bottles for really long trips: https://www.your-RV-lifestyle.com/refrigerator-while-driving.html. He also recommends checking your system at least once per year.
RV Share cautioned that using the generator to power the fridge while driving will wear down the vehicle’s alternator more quickly. This is also the one that recommended the fridge fan and offers some other good tips on keeping it cool while off. They also linked a chipper old guy talking about the safety concerns of using propane refrigerator while traveling…it’s funny (in a not-really-funny kind of way!). https://rvshare.com/blog/dangerous-use-propane-gas/
CamperTrailers.org had a decent article on understanding 3 way fridges. I don’t think I understand them better, but at least I know what they are! LOL! https://www.campertrailers.org/3-way_fridge.htm
CamperReport.com warns that fridges need to be level while operating. I think this is probably wise counsel as I’ve heard this of normal fridges before. Your camper will likely NOT be level while driving. They also recommend to freeze anything that CAN be frozen, this is SAGELY advice! https://camperreport.com/can-i-tow-a-travel-trailer-with-the-propane-fridge-running/
PERSONAL CHOICE
Yep…you guessed it! I’m going to pass the buck, just like every other post I’ve read today. It seems that using your propane refrigerator while driving is a personal choice. We’ve LITERALLY only used ours once while driving. We’ll have to have a mini-conference before we leave on our next trip to decide if it’s for us or not.
The stopping previous to fuel stops seems like a hassle to me. There are only two tunnels that we’ve ever encountered, and one of those is in Mobile, AL. That only happens once or twice a year…no worries there. All that to say that it just won’t affect us under normal circumstances.
I’d LOVE to hear your thoughts…what will you do to keep your food cold? Please comment below!
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