I really am not wanting to start the traveling with fridge on propane thread. It has been worn out on most of the forums with no successful conclusion either way. There are two camps. One won't use the fridge on propane to travel and one that will. I have always been in the latter camp and after 10+ years of pulling with the fridge on propane I've had no issues. I ususally run the fridge on propane even when utilities are available in the summer because all of my rv refrigerators over the years have better performance on gas. In the AZ heat in the summer a couple of degrees better performance can be huge. Having a fridge thermometer to monitor your fridge is probably the most important thing to have with rv fridges.
However, I am of the conclusion that no two rv refrigerators work the same even when it is the same model and trailer. Everyone learns their fridge as they camp and what it does best. As you get out and about you'll discover your refidgerators quirks and it will probably be slightly different than others. As they age, they also seem to get more quirky.... I remember our 81 Scamp 13 Fridge didn't work when we got the trailer. Someone told me to take it out and stand it on it's head for awhile. I pulled it out and stood it on it's head for a month or so while I gutted and remodeled the trailer. Lo and behold when I turned it over and plugged it in it worked!
This model can be mounted above the fins (at the top of the chimney) or below the fins to blow air upwards across the fins.
Since I live in Florida I decided to install two exhaust fans above my fins. I also installed a switch on each of them. I placed the switches in the cabinet just above the fridge. This allows me to turn one (or both) off if the weather is cool and also lets me turn them off when the camper is in storage.
I chose to install a pair of fans to double the air flow over the cooling fins (I live in Florida) and to provide redundancy in case one of the fans should fail.
Scamp won't tell you to travel with the fridge running on gas because of the liability issues. However, while discussing the model that only has 120 VAC and gas, one of their guys did forget that rule and tell me it can be done. He just said it in passing and I did not reply or ask further because I already knew it can be done but that it also entails some debatable degree of increased risk. I run a wireless thermometer in the fridge so I can read the temp while driving down the road. I only use the fridge on gas if the temp starts to rise too much AND I have food I really don’t want to lose. As long as my trip is short enough to keep the fridge cold enough, I like to leave it off for the added safety. As long as the auto-shut off works right (if the flame were to go out), then the risk is probably small enough that I will run it on occasion, when I think its needed.
Opps.. sorry about that Greg.. you're right that we could beat this dead horse forever, so delete my message if you wish.. no problem.
Lol, NP. I was well aware I was stepping in it when I went there. This is one topic that over the years each side never seems to sway the other side, but discussion is always a good thing.
I'd love to hear more about ur wireless thermometer. I've used the tire monitoring systems and they work well, but never thought about fridge monitoring while driving.
I too have travelled with propane on the refridgerator...have done it for many years with no problems. One caution though...some tunnels require propane tanks to be turned off before entering the tunnel.
Don
2015 Scamp 16'
Tow Vehicle...2013 Lincoln MKX 3.7L V-6
SW Ohio
Never used the 12v. My understanding from others was not long on battery. I usually kept it on propane or 120 if we had utilities.
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
Yeah, at the "factory briefing" they only mentioned 12V for traveling down the road.
I really am not wanting to start the traveling with fridge on propane thread. It has been worn out on most of the forums with no successful conclusion either way. There are two camps. One won't use the fridge on propane to travel and one that will. I have always been in the latter camp and after 10+ years of pulling with the fridge on propane I've had no issues. I ususally run the fridge on propane even when utilities are available in the summer because all of my rv refrigerators over the years have better performance on gas. In the AZ heat in the summer a couple of degrees better performance can be huge. Having a fridge thermometer to monitor your fridge is probably the most important thing to have with rv fridges.
Refridgerator Thermometers
However, I am of the conclusion that no two rv refrigerators work the same even when it is the same model and trailer. Everyone learns their fridge as they camp and what it does best. As you get out and about you'll discover your refidgerators quirks and it will probably be slightly different than others. As they age, they also seem to get more quirky....
I remember our 81 Scamp 13 Fridge didn't work when we got the trailer. Someone told me to take it out and stand it on it's head for awhile. I pulled it out and stood it on it's head for a month or so while I gutted and remodeled the trailer. Lo and behold when I turned it over and plugged it in it worked!
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
I too travel with my fridge running on Propane.
As Always,
Happy Scamping !!!
Yeah, I figured the battery would last long. But I'm so glad ot hear about how long the propane should last. That's great news.
WAJourney
Here is the exhaust fan model I used on my refrigerator:
Valterra A10-2618VP FridgeCool 12 Volt Exhaust Fan
This model can be mounted above the fins (at the top of the chimney) or below the fins to blow air upwards across the fins.
Since I live in Florida I decided to install two exhaust fans above my fins. I also installed a switch on each of them. I placed the switches in the cabinet just above the fridge. This allows me to turn one (or both) off if the weather is cool and also lets me turn them off when the camper is in storage.
I chose to install a pair of fans to double the air flow over the cooling fins (I live in Florida) and to provide redundancy in case one of the fans should fail.
As Always,
Happy Scamping !!!
Scamp won't tell you to travel with the fridge running on gas because of the liability issues. However, while discussing the model that only has 120 VAC and gas, one of their guys did forget that rule and tell me it can be done. He just said it in passing and I did not reply or ask further because I already knew it can be done but that it also entails some debatable degree of increased risk. I run a wireless thermometer in the fridge so I can read the temp while driving down the road. I only use the fridge on gas if the temp starts to rise too much AND I have food I really don’t want to lose. As long as my trip is short enough to keep the fridge cold enough, I like to leave it off for the added safety. As long as the auto-shut off works right (if the flame were to go out), then the risk is probably small enough that I will run it on occasion, when I think its needed.
Opps.. sorry about that Greg.. you're right that we could beat this dead horse forever, so delete my message if you wish.. no problem.
Lol, NP. I was well aware I was stepping in it when I went there. This is one topic that over the years each side never seems to sway the other side, but discussion is always a good thing.
I'd love to hear more about ur wireless thermometer. I've used the tire monitoring systems and they work well, but never thought about fridge monitoring while driving.
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
I too have travelled with propane on the refridgerator...have done it for many years with no problems. One caution though...some tunnels require propane tanks to be turned off before entering the tunnel.
Don
2015 Scamp 16'
Tow Vehicle...2013 Lincoln MKX 3.7L V-6
SW Ohio
Thanks, Don. I appreciate hearing about your experience with it. I'm going to try it on battery but we'll see if that works well enough.
WAJourney
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