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Old 05-04-2016, 04:01 PM   #1
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Fridge on Battery while towing?

Somewhere I saw a suggestion to put fridge on battery when towing to keep it cold, but how much risk it there of it draining my car battery? Another veteran said not to do so for such risk.
I tow with Lexus RX400 hybrid SUV.
Thanks, oh sage veterans
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Old 05-04-2016, 04:21 PM   #2
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Somewhere I saw a suggestion to put fridge on battery when towing to keep it cold, but how much risk it there of it draining my car battery? Another veteran said not to do so for such risk.
I tow with Lexus RX400 hybrid SUV.
Thanks, oh sage veterans
As long at the vehicle alternator is running, there is little likelihood of killing the auto battery. If you stop for lunch, etc be sure you either unplug the trailer 7 pin connector or that your tow vehicle has a solenoid that disconnects the charge line when the ignition is off.

Depending on the size of the charge line, whether you have solar or not, and the length of tow, you MAY deplete the trailer battery...
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Old 05-04-2016, 04:32 PM   #3
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Jon -Thank you, very helpful.
I will unplug when I turn off vehicle; is that enough or should I also unselect battery on fridge? On trailer battery depletion - no solar panel, tow a 13B, my travel day is relatively short - max 300 miles. Assuming I would hook up to electricity after 300 miles - what do you think? And, is your answer different if I can only switch fridge to propane with no electric hookup to keep battery charged?
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Old 05-04-2016, 05:05 PM   #4
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Is there a reason Escape Trailers should not be run on propane while towing?
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Old 05-04-2016, 05:20 PM   #5
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Is there a reason Escape Trailers should not be run on propane while towing?

Some believe the potential risk of fire/explosion is increased with propane use while underway. Others judge the risk to be small.

Your call.
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Old 05-04-2016, 05:23 PM   #6
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Some believe the potential risk of fire/explosion is increased with propane use while underway. Others judge the risk to be small.

Your call.
Whew! Thanks! I was worried there was perhaps something different about Escapes. Thanks again for the clarification.
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Old 05-04-2016, 05:30 PM   #7
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The trick is... when you are stopped, with no tug power going to your trailer... is to keep an eye on your trailer battery (or batteries if you get dual 6v)

be sure to turn the fridge OFF momentarily to get a somewhat more accurate reading of how the trailer batteries are really doing.

I know the Escape has a basic battery charge meter built in.... i myself like this 12v $12 one for knowing really what is going on...

Robot Check

you'll also need a battery voltage chart as well. Internet has many images that show...

just my 2c.

also .... it is my understanding that .... once the trailer battery is more than about 1/2 way discharged... it takes quite a lot of energy to get it back to 100%

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Old 05-04-2016, 05:38 PM   #8
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Others judge the risk to be small.

Your call.
Yup, turn on the fridge before we leave home, turn off a month or so later, except if we have to shut it off while on a ferry.

Ron
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Old 05-04-2016, 05:43 PM   #9
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...it is my understanding that .... once the trailer battery is more than about 1/2 way discharged... it takes quite a lot of energy to get it back to 100%

It's not so much that it takes more energy to get it back to a full charge when it's deeply discharged, but that it can reduce the number of recharge cycles. It's a deep cycle battery, which can "handle" deep discharging better than a non deep cycle can. But, repeated discharging below 50% capacity can shorten the battery's lifespan.
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Old 05-04-2016, 06:38 PM   #10
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If you wish to keep the refrigerator running during a stop, switch it to propane. In my case the only choices I have are 120V or propane, so I travel with it running on gas.

300 miles at my speed would be a 6 - 7 hour drive; more than I usually do, and I'd probably want some cooling while driving that long. If you find that running the refrigerator on 12V runs the battery in the trailer down, I'd run it on propane, particularly if you plan to dry camp that evening.
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Old 05-05-2016, 12:02 AM   #11
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We full-time in our 17' Casita...soon to be reborn as a 21' Escape...and, we always travel with the fridge on propane. Going on 15 months now. Have not had any issues to this point.
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Old 05-05-2016, 07:05 AM   #12
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Have towed on propane for 10 years now, never an issue. I try to use the closest pump and leave the trailer out and away from the pump when possible.
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Old 05-05-2016, 10:35 AM   #13
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Have towed on propane for 10 years now, never an issue. I try to use the closest pump and leave the trailer out and away from the pump when possible.
I too always travel with the frig on propane, never been a problem...
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Old 05-05-2016, 11:06 AM   #14
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Well..... just to add my 2c

"never been a problem" doesn't mean that towing with the propane open and flowing isn't less safe than not.... it just means that you in your experiences ... you have never had a problem.



I'll let this RV fire safety expert guy say his 2c.

(yes - a bit of what he says applies to bigger RVs, in terms of generator.... but regardless there is some applicable info here)



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Old 05-05-2016, 12:01 PM   #15
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This topic has been discussed over and over again with "experts" on both sides stating their opinion. If you really want to be safe I suggest you turn off the fuel supply to your tow vehicle because it is a well know fact that gasoline is far more explosive than propane.

As highway truck driver for over 35 years I have never seen an RV catch on fire due to propane, but have seen a number of cars and trucks catch on fire due to gasoline.

Just my 2 cents
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Old 05-05-2016, 12:10 PM   #16
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It all usually culminates in a collision being the element that has some risk. The systems themselves are designed to be operated while driving. Same argument/risk they explain for propane operated vehicles, which we have quite a number of now in AZ. Probably same addl risk they associate with carrying 25 gal of gas in the rear of your car which hasn't worked out well, especially for Ford, in some collisions over the years.
Each person just needs to evaluate the information and do what you're comfortable with.
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Old 05-05-2016, 12:25 PM   #17
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Another good article here:

Propane 101-The basics

It's not so much about running the refrigerator on propane while driving, but leaving the appliances on while refueling at a gas station.
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Old 05-05-2016, 03:15 PM   #18
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Refridge on the road

I used to use propane while traveling but the new two door 6.7 is good enough, at 60 to 80f I can use 12V for hours and keep -xx freezer and 30 to 38 fridge at 3 to 4 bars.
Jack
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Old 05-05-2016, 03:25 PM   #19
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Somewhere I saw a suggestion to put fridge on battery when towing to keep it cold, but how much risk it there of it draining my car battery?
...
I tow with Lexus RX400 hybrid SUV.
If you do tow with the refrigerator on battery and accidentally end up at an unserviced campsite with too little charge in the trailer's battery, keep in mind that all tow vehicles are substantial electrical power sources, and your hybrid tow vehicle can be a remarkably capable power source.
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Old 05-05-2016, 03:55 PM   #20
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I used to use propane while traveling but the new two door 6.7 is good enough, at 60 to 80f I can use 12V for hours and keep -xx freezer and 30 to 38 fridge at 3 to 4 bars.
Jack
Hey Jack

I hope this finds you well...

thanks for the good data...

I forget - do you have dual 6v + roof top solar?

have a great weekend,

'Los Angeles'
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