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08-09-2018, 10:30 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Troy, Idaho
Trailer: August 2017 17b
Posts: 227
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Running refrigerator on propane, when gone bicycling for the day
Is it unsafe, downright stupid .....or otherwise inappropriate to leave your trailer for the day, while the fridge is left running on propane?
Am planning on cycling on Idaho's Weiser River Trail, in a couple weeks. We're returning to the trailer at a NFS CG, each evening, and no doubt will be looking forward to some cold SOMEthing, when we get there. Though I have solar, I don't know how shaded the site will be....and don't even know yet the capacity of the solar to handle the job, anyway.
This is my first full season with my Escape, and this Escape my first RV experience..... So....very much appreciate taking advantage of others' knowledge and experience!
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08-09-2018, 10:32 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sumac.rhus
Is it unsafe, downright stupid .....or otherwise inappropriate to leave your trailer for the day, while the fridge is left running on propane?
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If it is, count me on the stupid side. We do it routinely.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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08-09-2018, 10:41 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Des Plaines, Illinois
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19 (TV: 2007 Chevy Tahoe)
Posts: 208
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Don't think it's "unsafe", nor "stupid" to run the fridge on propane when away. We ran the fridge for three weeks on propane while traveling out west. This included while camping, and traveling. The fridge is made to run on propane, so have at it.
I don't know if you could run it off the battery all day while you are away? There are better voices on this forum than mine to handle that question.
Gary
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08-09-2018, 10:44 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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Maybe you should ask if it is safe to run the fridge on electricity all day while you are away.
If propane or electricity were unsafe, neither would be installed in multi thousands of trailers world wide.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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08-09-2018, 10:46 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: North Van., British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19, sold; 2019 Escape 21, Sept. 2019
Posts: 8,813
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We leave home with it on, sometimes are gone for long periods of time and turn it off when we're back in the driveway. The only exception is for compulsory shut downs on ferries. I understand there's also some tunnels with mandatory shut-downs but I've never been through one.
And of course this will open up the "you have to shut it off when re-fueling debate" which I don't do.
Ron
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08-09-2018, 11:22 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Troy, Idaho
Trailer: August 2017 17b
Posts: 227
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How reassuring!!!
Thanks so much!
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08-10-2018, 12:04 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Fremont, California
Trailer: 2016 21/ '16 Tundra 4.6L Dbl. Cab
Posts: 1,563
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:
Quote:
Originally Posted by rbryan4
If it is, count me on the stupid side. We do it routinely.
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__________________
Steve and Debbie
2016 - 21'
“Get out the map and lay your finger anywhere down” -Indigo Girls
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08-10-2018, 09:32 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 2013 19' & 2013 15B
Posts: 2,636
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rbryan4
If it is, count me on the stupid side. We do it routinely.
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I am with stupid.
__________________
2013 19' \ 2013 15B, 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Offroad
"It is better to remain silent at the risk of being thought a fool, than to talk and remove all doubt of it." - 1907, Maurice Switzer
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08-10-2018, 09:40 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,552
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sumac.rhus
Is it unsafe, downright stupid .....or otherwise inappropriate to leave your trailer for the day, while the fridge is left running on propane?
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I understand your concern, and you are not the first to voice it, but it certainly is fine to leave it on. If for some reason the flame should go out, the gas valve will shut down. Lots of safety features built into the fridge, and furnace too.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron in BC
We leave home with it on, sometimes are gone for long periods of time and turn it off when we're back in the driveway. The only exception is for compulsory shut downs on ferries. I understand there's also some tunnels with mandatory shut-downs but I've never been through one.
And of course this will open up the "you have to shut it off when re-fueling debate" which I don't do.
Ron
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Exactly what we do.
Left on the auto setting, if plugged in it automatically defaults to 120V, but you have to watch as if you are not connected to 120V and run out of propane(or it is not on like on a ferry), it switches to 12V.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Walter
I am with stupid.
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Stupid is as stupid does - Forrest Gump
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
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08-10-2018, 10:10 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Trailer: 2015 Escape 19 "Seventy Degrees"
Posts: 3,495
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Stupid, here.
In fact I now set it for propane instead of auto and just leave it on propane even when we have hookups. Our fridge just runs better on propane - happy fridge happy life!
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08-10-2018, 11:11 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Fraser Valley, British Columbia
Trailer: 2012 Escape "Classic" 5.0 SA
Posts: 554
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sumac.rhus
Is it unsafe, downright stupid .....or otherwise inappropriate to leave your trailer for the day, while the fridge is left running on propane?
Am planning on cycling on Idaho's Weiser River Trail, in a couple weeks. We're returning to the trailer at a NFS CG, each evening, and no doubt will be looking forward to some cold SOMEthing, when we get there. Though I have solar, I don't know how shaded the site will be....and don't even know yet the capacity of the solar to handle the job, anyway.
This is my first full season with my Escape, and this Escape my first RV experience..... So....very much appreciate taking advantage of others' knowledge and experience!
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I leave mine on propane for the whole trip and never shut it off and have never run into any problems.
I would be interested in your thoughts of the river trail, it looks interesting.
Barry
__________________
Photography website: https://bjustice.zenfolio.com
2012 Escape "Classic" 5.0 SA / 2017 F150, 2.7 EcoBoost 4X4 Supercab
Former trailers: 2005 Escape 17B / 1972 Boler 13'
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08-10-2018, 11:16 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
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[QUOTE=Jim Bennett;258319
Left on the auto setting, if plugged in it automatically defaults to 120V, but you have to watch as if you are not connected to 120V and run out of propane(or it is not on like on a ferry), it switches to 12V.
Stupid is as stupid does - Forrest Gump [/QUOTE]
Is this how the new fridges work? My "old" one can only go to 12v if manually selected.
Happy Motoring
Stupid
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08-10-2018, 11:49 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Santa Rosa County, Florida
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 Tow: 2024 Toyota Tundra
Posts: 3,105
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If you have a choice, try to park your trailer so that the side containing the fridge is on the north side. That helps it work better, from my experience.
__________________
Mike Lewis
She don't lie, she don't lie, she don't lie-- propane
Photos and travelogues here: mikelewisimages.com
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08-10-2018, 11:53 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 2013 19' & 2013 15B
Posts: 2,636
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Lewis
If you have a choice, try to park your trailer so that the side containing the fridge is on the north side. That helps it work better, from my experience.
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Only if you are camped in the northern hemisphere. In the southern hemisphere you should camp with the fridge side of the trailer facing south.
__________________
2013 19' \ 2013 15B, 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Offroad
"It is better to remain silent at the risk of being thought a fool, than to talk and remove all doubt of it." - 1907, Maurice Switzer
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08-10-2018, 12:26 PM
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#15
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Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Mid Left Coast, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21
Posts: 5,155
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When in the wide open with no natural shade, I prefer to park with the 'street side' (where my fridge is) on the west to northwest side of the trailer, facing the sunset. may not be most efficient for the fridge, but sure makes the curb-side under-awning space more comfortable in the heat of the afternoon.
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08-10-2018, 09:13 PM
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#16
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Commercial Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 - "Felicity"
Posts: 2,945
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg A
Stupid, here.
In fact I now set it for propane instead of auto and just leave it on propane even when we have hookups. Our fridge just runs better on propane - happy fridge happy life!
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The only way I can hit zero degrees in the freezer is on propane. Needed to keep wifeys fudge bar ice cream rock solid
__________________
Charlie Y
Need custom storage to your design? Don't drill holes!
www.RVWidgetWorks.com
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08-10-2018, 10:41 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Troy, Idaho
Trailer: August 2017 17b
Posts: 227
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Thank you all for your suggestions/advice/reassurances! Am all the more excited about enjoying the luxury of my propane
I think so many smokey days (August fires are in full bloom) got me started having images of a major forest fire source being traced to an unwitting person's Escape trailer being left unattended....
( Such a ready imagination for disaster can be really annoying.)
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08-10-2018, 10:47 PM
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#18
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sumac.rhus
Thank you all for your suggestions/advice/reassurances! Am all the more excited about enjoying the luxury of my propane
I think so many smokey days (August fires are in full bloom) got me started having images of a major forest fire source being traced to an unwitting person's Escape trailer being left unattended....
([emoji23]Such a ready imagination for disaster can be really annoying.)
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There's nothing wrong with being cautious. Propane systems, just like any other flammable fuel system, can be dangerous if not properly installed, operated and maintained. Fortunately the use of a propane absorption fridge in an RV has many decades of experience under its belt, and is proven relatively safe.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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08-11-2018, 05:57 AM
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#19
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Rochester, Minnesota
Trailer: 2008 Casita STD
Posts: 29
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Thanks for the question. I've owned a trailer for over 10 years and just now learned: for many it works well just to leave it on propane during your entire trip!
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