There are lots of opinions about running the fridge in a travel trailer on propane while driving. Here is one more. The short answer is
Yes, you can tow with the fridge running on propane
.
How long will a camper fridge run on propane?
You can run an RV fridge using a 20 lb. propane tank for 280 hours, or
just over 11 days
.
How do I keep my RV fridge cold while driving?
You can help your fridge hold its temperature throughout the drive by
getting it as cold as possible before taking off
. Set the thermostat as low as it can go and fill any empty space with ice-cold beverages, freezer packs, or bags of ice – the colder the better!
Does RV fridge cool faster on propane?
It will cool faster on propane
and stay colder on extremely hot days. It’s all about getting the ammonia solution to boil and circulate.
How long will a 20 lb propane tank run a refrigerator?
If you’re using a standard 20-lb propane tank, you can expect it to last around
11 days
(non-stop) before needing to replace or refill it.
Can you pull a travel trailer with the propane on?
There are lots of opinions about running the fridge in a travel trailer on propane while driving. Here is one more. The short answer is
Yes, you can tow with the fridge running on propane
.
Is it OK to run generator while driving RV?
Driving with the RV generator on is perfectly safe
and will allow you to run all of your major RV appliances while driving your RV. Even though it is not the most fuel efficient way to drive your RV, you and any passengers on board may be very happy being able to use all the conveniences the RV has to offer.
How long will a 12 volt battery run a RV refrigerator?
In general, a 12V-50Ah battery can run a 2 cubic feet 12V fridge for
35 to 50 hours
before it’s completely depleted. A 10 cubic feet RV refrigerator can run on the same battery for only 10 to 15 hours. However, it’s important to note that: Batteries should not be fully discharged.
Is it better to run RV fridge on propane or electric?
Many agree that
RV refrigerators work better on electricity
, as it keeps the food fresh and cold for a longer period. On the other hand, a gas RV fridge will cool faster and stay colder even in high temperatures.
Does an RV fridge need power to run on propane?
To run on propane (LP),
an RV fridge does not require battery power
, but it does require battery power to open the gas valve and fire the igniter. The front panel LEDs and thermostat are also powered by RV batteries. RV refrigerators commonly use a gas absorption cooling system.
How long does it take for a travel trailer refrigerator to get cold?
It typically takes
24 hours
for your refrigerator in your RV to get cold. As the fridge is an absorption style, it takes more time to exchange the heat out of the refrigerator than a typical residential fridge. It helps if your fridge is empty when you first try and cool it down for airflow.
How cold should my RV fridge get?
Your RV’s refrigerator should be
less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 deg C), ideally around 35 degrees
. Setting your fridge’s temperature will vary depending on the brand but adding a thermometer will help you know if your fridge is set correctly.
Do you need a battery to run a propane fridge?
Although propane refrigeration does not require electricity to run,
you will still need at least a 10.5 V battery power to get it on
. This energy boost is needed to open the gas base and spark the ignitor, otherwise, the fridge will not run.
How do you turn a propane refrigerator into a camper?
Locate the switch for your refrigerator. This could be a button or a dial, depending on the age and type of propane refrigerator.
Turn the refrigerator to the on position for the refrigerator to run on propane. If there is a light indicator, it will turn on
.
Will camper fridge run off battery?
An RV refrigerator will run off of the battery if your fridge model is set up for it or if it uses propane too
. An absorption fridge will run on batteries only for about 3 hours but if using propane too it will last for weeks. A residential RV fridge will last for about 12 hours on batteries.
Are there propane refrigerators?
Today,
propane refrigerators are popular options for recreational vehicles, cabins, lake houses, or any place that doesn’t have ready access to electricity
. These units are economical and don’t require an outside power source.
Should you leave your RV fridge on all the time?
You don’t need to leave your RV fridge on all the time
. This will not extend its life. However, before going on a camping trip, you must turn on your RV refrigerator within 24 hours. This will allow your refrigerator to cool down in time for your trip.
Can you use the bathroom in an RV while driving?
The good news is that
you can use the RV bathroom while the vehicle is in motion
. Because the electrical systems are in action while the car is on the road, you can use the bathroom and flush with the water pump as normal.
Can a portable generator power a travel trailer?
That’s where an inverter portable generator comes into play.
An inverter generator provides electrical power you can use in your RV
so you can utilize your RV ac and other important features.. You can buy non-inverter generators, but the power isn’t the kind you want for RV appliances and household electronics.
Can I run my RV generator all night?
A built-in RV generator in a motorhome can be run all night to power everything in the RV
. Just keep the windows closed to prevent any fumes or carbon monoxide from seeping into the interior. A portable generator for a trailer or 5th wheel can run approximately 6 hours before running out of gas.
How much propane does a RV fridge use?
Generally, a 10 to 12 cubic foot RV fridge will burn about
1.5 pounds of propane per day
.
Do RV refrigerators use a lot of electricity?
The small RV refrigerator ended up using
about 5 kWh of power per day
. Our entire battery bank is about 24 kWh. This means that nearly every day about 20% to 25% of all our usable battery power would need to go to powering the refrigerator.
How big of an inverter do I need to run a refrigerator?
As a general rule of thumb, the inverter you choose needs to be rated at
5 times the running wattage of your refrigerator
. In most cases, this will make sure the inverter can handle the running power of the refrigerator, and the surge power required to start. Cont.
