Driving with refrigerator on. Generator is the only option?

[Mikmal]

HI all,

I'm getting ready for my first road trip in my new-to-me Four Winds 23, being new to both RVing and this MH. I was reading the manual for the refrigerator and noticed the "DANGER: DO NOT operate the gas/electric type refrigerator on LP while the vehicle is in motion...".
I'm pretty sure that my MH doesn't have an inverter, so I take it that my only option is to run the genny while motoring down the highway? The person I bought the RV from said they operated the 'frige on LP when traveling. Is that a real no-no or is Thor just being overly cautious?
Thanks in advance!

[16ACE27]

Please provide a picture of this warning or specific reference. Seems to be out of context. 90+% of RVs with Gas/Electric fridges run them on propane while traveling. Neither the Norcold nor the Dometic manuals contain that warning.

The generator is one of two options to run the Gas/Electric fridge without gas while traveling. The other is an inverter that runs off the house batteries which are also being charged by the engine alternator.

The second option requires an aftermarket installation as RV manufacturers primarily install inverters only when they include a residential refrigerator.

[RV Driver]

We turn on the fridge the day before we leave. It stays on 24/7 until we get back home. That includes while driving more than 100,000 miles.

This “warning” sounds like lawyer CYA stuff.

[Lt Keefer]

Since the 1980s I have run the refrigerator on LP while driving.

[Mikmal]

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

Please provide a picture of this warning or specific reference. Seems to be out of context.......

Trying to figure out how to post a picture...this is all new to me
Think I got it! The text in question is under the red banner.

[dkoldman]

We have Inverter but Mfg says some RIVA code prevented them from wiring to our Norcold? I simply ran my own wire from an Inverter supplied power source so whenever we travel, the Inverter is On and the Norcold is set Electric/Gas. Asa long as there is electricity from generator or inverter I am good. If they all should be temporally shutdown, I have to have to be careful because it will draw from Inverter unless I turn it off. The Norcold auto switches to gas.

If it were me an new to me RV, I would do both, run on gas no worries, but also invest in inverter so when traveling ( Engine running) use the inverter to supply fridge.

With that said if I am running Fridge on gas while travelin, it is because I forgot to turn on the Inverter

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Mikmal

Trying to figure out how to post a picture...this is all new to me
Think I got it! The text in question is under the red banner.

Yep, you figured out the Attach picture procedure. That looks like it is in the generic motorhome manual produced by Thor to cover multiple MHs and models. Must be a CYA lawyer required statement which completely nullifies one of the primary purposes of having a propane fridge. Looks like they just expanded the standard "refueling" warning.

I wonder if those same lawyers would put that warning in the operators manual of natural gas fueled vehicles?

You decide what risk is acceptable for you but as I said above, and what you'll find with a little Internet research, most RVs travel with the gas fridge running, and a majority of those also ignore the refueling warning.

[MJC62]

The wife and I have been driving a motorhome since the 80's with fridge running on propane. While growing up my pop ran his fridges in his travel trailers on propane.

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by Mikmal

Trying to figure out how to post a picture...this is all new to me
Think I got it! The text in question is under the red banner.

Here is something to think about or context. Lets say you do exactly what the instructions say under the red banner. Let's also say it is freezing outside. Does this mean Thor is saying you cannot have supplemental heat while driving?

I wish I had a picture, but I remember where I bought a gas lighter and the instructions had warning to NOT use near open flame or heat sources.

I also recall some wheel extensions made by credible supplier that had posting that actually said the extensions were not intended to be used if vehicle was in motion, or very close to that effect.

You gonna be okay, but if you can't sleep; buy the inverter, you will wonder how you lived without the inverter anyway. FWIW, as much as I try to use my Genny, I can't ever recall running it just to supply the fridge?

[Muggs]

I run fridge on Auto without issue. Unit is used frequently enough, is only shut off for defrost or propane refill. I did shut off once on windy day when refueling to prevent fumes from being blown toward open flame.

Running down road, it switches with/without generator use.

Thinking of putting plug from inverter I use for children TV/Bluray/PS4 for when propane low.

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by Muggs

I run fridge on Auto without issue. Unit is used frequently enough, is only shut off for defrost or propane refill. I did shut off once on windy day when refueling to prevent fumes from being blown toward open flame.

Running down road, it switches with/without generator use.

Thinking of putting plug from inverter I use for children TV/Bluray/PS4 for when propane low.

Or when driving. I tapped into our MBR TV with a Southwire Heavy Duty Appliance cord. We did not lose any plug outlet. Never run that TV when driving anyway.

[Muggs]

I added the inverter back in 2017. That trip was into blue ridge and no generator for A/C required. Really only used inverter on that trip. Living/racing mostly in Florida is rare to not use main A/C.

Just changed cooling unit in fridge, other than tight confines was simple job. Is now back to normal.

I cannot complain about unit. Is 2015 chassis and very few real issues.

[The Gritz Carlton]

My 35SF never had the fridge turned off. Ran on 120V direct or through inverter when on shore power. It would run 36+ hours when boondocking. My new Melbourne has a 3-way. I set it on automatic and forgot it. It switches over from 12V, 120V or gas automatically. Cold beer is an essential, vital necessity in any RV and must be immediately available. If I were you, I would install an inverter and connect fridge to it while underway (if it doesn't have the 3rd 12V option). A friend of mine warned me..."you'll wear it out leaving it on all the time"...my comment to him..."how cool would that be!".

[ducksface]

Ours has been running since the day we bought it.
Shore at home, auto on the road. Propane or electric we don't know or need to know. It's never been turned off.

Full, ready to go. Nothing to add, no tasks.
1 open garage
2 remove shore power
3 start engine
4 read tpms
5 start trip.

How rv's are designated for use, a short story:

Legal clerk gave a litigation proof missive to junior engineer, junior engineer wrote the label unquestioningly.


The end.

[Mikmal]

Just an update: I lived life on the wild side and made the 1200 mile trip with the propane refrigerator on, against the recommendation of Thor. No issues whatsoever. I guess if I were a cat, I'd be down to 8 lives now.
Thanks all for your replies.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Mikmal

Just an update: I lived life on the wild side and made the 1200 mile trip with the propane refrigerator on, against the recommendation of Thor. No issues whatsoever. I guess if I were a cat, I'd be down to 8 lives now.
Thanks all for your replies.

Woooo! We were all worried. How reckless! (not)

[ducksface]

I once poured Pepsi in to a Coke glass, it was a tough call, but I'm wild like that. Equally, there aren't many rv owners nearly the wildman it takes to try our propane stunt.

Congratulations.
Yours was the first step away from the lawyer garbage.

[RV Driver]

Originally Posted by Mikmal

Just an update: I lived life on the wild side and made the 1200 mile trip with the propane refrigerator on, against the recommendation of Thor. No issues whatsoever. I guess if I were a cat, I'd be down to 8 lives now.
Thanks all for your replies.

OH MY GOD!!
And you lived to tell us about it? How is that even remotely possible?


Seriously...in 10+ years and over 100,000 miles, we have never traveled with the propane OFF. It's on all the time for the fridge in summer and heat in the colder weather.

[Muggs]

If I remember right, somebody was told or read to travel with empty fresh water tank?

That created an interesting interchange as well.

Living on wild side makes things fun.

Shut off fridge when refueling on day when wind may push vapor toward flame. That only caveate..

Have fun.

[Scubawise]

Originally Posted by MJC62

The wife and I have been driving a motorhome since the 80's with fridge running on propane. While growing up my pop ran his fridges in his travel trailers on propane.

Same here travel trailers and MH fridge on propane.
Been on 1 trip and propane still full