I need HELP!!!: using fridge while traveling

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using fridge while traveling

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Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
Forum Discription: Perplexed/need help with a problem - ask here
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15863
Printed Date: 16 May 2024 at 10:19pm
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Topic: using fridge while traveling

Posted By: jk
Subject: using fridge while traveling
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2023 at 5:44pm

My camper is RPod 182 and we're still novices. I'm trying to figure out how I can run the fridge while traveling down the road so when we arrive, our stuff in fridege is cold...I feel like it's something simple that I'm not doing correctly.

Replies:

Posted By: gpokluda
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2023 at 8:39pm

What type of fridge do you have? Is it a 3-way which can run on AC, DC or Gas. Or is it a two way which runs on AC or DC?

If it is a 3-Way, you can either run it on DC (battery) or Gas. Depending on your tow vehicle and battery setup, your alternator may not be able to keep up with the draw on the batteries if you run on DC and you may have low battery capacity when you get to your destination.

You'll get all kinds of opinions running the fridge on gas while traveling. We run ours on gas but take a precaution at gas stations. We turn off the gas before we pull up to the pumps. Even though the flame for the absorption fridge is shielded, it is still an open flame.

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Gpokluda
2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023)
2022 Escape 5.0TA
2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB
Triumph T120

Posted By: zzimmer3
Date Posted: 04 Oct 2023 at 10:30am

i run our fridge while traveling. i always have. my old camper i put it on gas, this one its off the battery. i highly recommend it.

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 04 Oct 2023 at 11:47am

If you have put screens to protect from bugs in the openings for the refrigerator, it is no longer an open flame. Metal screens are a flame arrestor.

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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 04 Oct 2023 at 6:13pm

+1 We always travel with propane on, it is legal in all 50 states and if it were a liability issue we would certainly hear about it in the news.

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God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 05 Oct 2023 at 9:56am

Originally posted by StephenH

If you have put screens to protect from bugs in the openings for the refrigerator, it is no longer an open flame. Metal screens are a flame arrestor.

I had not thought of that.

I wonder if that affects your ability to go through some tunnels (where pilot lights are forbidden)?

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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 05 Oct 2023 at 10:37am

I don't know. We have been through many mountain tunnels, but we had to bypass the Baltimore tunnels because they had a flat out sign that stated that propane was forbidden. Any tunnel that is high in the center would be okay, but not those that dip under rivers, bays, etc. That is because propane sinks and could accumulate in the bottom of a tunnel that goes down to the center. In that case, I agree with the safety precaution of turning off any propane appliance and turning the valves on the tanks off.

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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 06 Oct 2023 at 11:34am

That's a true caution. Friends/neighbors of ours had an outdoor propane grill that was fed with a pipe from their main propane tank. It passed under their deck where there was a low area. They had a propane leak that they weren't aware of, so the propane pooled in that area. There was a spark or something, but the bottom line was the propane ignited and they lost their home.

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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

Posted By: winkeye67
Date Posted: 11 Oct 2023 at 2:42pm

I recently read that if fridge is located on slide out, it's not good to load it while driving as the added weight could cause issues with the slide out.

Posted By: JR
Date Posted: 11 Oct 2023 at 3:57pm

We have a 2019 179 and have put 30,000+ miles on it. We have the fridge in the slideout and have always traveled with a full fridge and so far not experienced any problems with the slideout. I had better knock on some wood. Hope this helps you.

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Jay

179/2019

Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2023 at 7:08pm

Originally posted by winkeye67

I recently read that if fridge is located on slide out, it's not good to load it while driving as the added weight could cause issues with the slide out.

That is one I never heard of before. Like JR we always begin our travels with a full/loaded to the gills fridge. We have been doing it this way since taking ownership of a 177 back in March 2011 and now have traveled over 45,000 miles with it, over all sorts of road conditions.

I fail to see how a full fridge would be an issue in the slide since the slide is (hopefully) all the way retracted during travel.

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God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

Posted By: gpokluda
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2023 at 1:34pm

Originally posted by jato

I fail to see how a full fridge would be an issue in the slide since the slide is (hopefully) all the way retracted during travel.

+1. Makes no sense.

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Gpokluda
2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023)
2022 Escape 5.0TA
2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB
Triumph T120

Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2023 at 5:28pm

+2

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Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171

Posted By: Winterpod
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2023 at 5:34pm

Not why is to travel with a full fridge and a slide out out push the in button

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Winter pod
2013 R-Pod 178
2007 Silverato 1500 LT.
Trek Stash 8 29er hard tail
Old Town Kayak

Posted By: Winterpod
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2023 at 5:35pm

Damn auto correct

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Winter pod
2013 R-Pod 178
2007 Silverato 1500 LT.
Trek Stash 8 29er hard tail
Old Town Kayak