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The RVer's Open Forum / GENERAL RV DISCUSSIONS / Propane rules while traveling

Darryl
User ID: 0492334 Apr 8th 9:47 AM
What are the states laws for using propane while a person is going down the road? The gentleman told us in California it is against the law to have the propane tank valves open while traveling.

Mike
Administrator Apr 8th 9:48 AM
What "gentleman"? Ask him to provide a legal source for his statement.

This is a often debated issue; those that travel with LP on for their refrigerators do so with very few reported incidents. Those that don't believe it's a safe practice don't do it.

As for the state laws, you can check those from
http://www.bts.gov/external_links/government/state/department_of_transportation.html
They're not all the same.

In California, it's not illegal to travel with LP on except in a few specific areas (i.e. the Caldecott Tunnel on Hwy. 24 near Oakland.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caldecott_Tunnel_fire

Darryl
User ID: 9690803 Apr 8th 9:25 PM
Thanks for the input. I didn't check with the California DMV but called Dan Gamel RV in Modesto, CA and the service guy logged onto the state and couldn't find anythins specific but got the feeling from some of the things said "it is not a good idea to run with the LP valves open in case of a accident. The service guy suggested to just get the refrigerator cold the day before and then shut it off and maybe add those blue ice blocks. Sounds like a winner to me.

Mike
Administrator Apr 9th 11:50 AM
Yep. His suggestion (getting the fridge cold and using the blue ice blocks) is a valid one, and it works, too. Just keep the fridge door closed and you're good to go for a days travel.

Barthbill
User ID: 8645673 Apr 9th 12:25 PM
Yep, too. In addition, if your fridge has a 12 volt heater, you can power it by the alternator while driving. And, if not, if you have an inverter, you can use the 110 volt heater while driving. The alternator will carry the load.

tk
User ID: 1662364 May 9th 9:08 AM
A simple indoor/outdoor thermometer mounted near frig, with outdoor wire sensor going into frig, will give you your frig temp at a glance, and tell you how comfortable your RV is to boot!
Ours is battery operated (one AAA battery), and lets us know when we need to fire up the frig, which is almost never unless it is over 90 outside and we are traveling all day.

BobW
User ID: 9301033 May 9th 6:12 PM
Seams like everyone out there's trying to protect us, coming up with ways to protect us from everything. Has anyone ever heard of a propane fire while traveling? If it has ever happened it would happen while not on the road. i use the laws of probability, if the chances are slim, go for it.

Darryl User ID: 0492334	Apr 8th 9:47 AM What are the states laws for using propane while a person is going down the road? The gentleman told us in California it is against the law to have the propane tank valves open while traveling.
Mike Administrator	Apr 8th 9:48 AM What "gentleman"? Ask him to provide a legal source for his statement. This is a often debated issue; those that travel with LP on for their refrigerators do so with very few reported incidents. Those that don't believe it's a safe practice don't do it. As for the state laws, you can check those from http://www.bts.gov/external_links/government/state/department_of_transportation.html They're not all the same. In California, it's not illegal to travel with LP on except in a few specific areas (i.e. the Caldecott Tunnel on Hwy. 24 near Oakland.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caldecott_Tunnel_fire
Darryl User ID: 9690803	Apr 8th 9:25 PM Thanks for the input. I didn't check with the California DMV but called Dan Gamel RV in Modesto, CA and the service guy logged onto the state and couldn't find anythins specific but got the feeling from some of the things said "it is not a good idea to run with the LP valves open in case of a accident. The service guy suggested to just get the refrigerator cold the day before and then shut it off and maybe add those blue ice blocks. Sounds like a winner to me.
Mike Administrator	Apr 9th 11:50 AM Yep. His suggestion (getting the fridge cold and using the blue ice blocks) is a valid one, and it works, too. Just keep the fridge door closed and you're good to go for a days travel.
Barthbill User ID: 8645673	Apr 9th 12:25 PM Yep, too. In addition, if your fridge has a 12 volt heater, you can power it by the alternator while driving. And, if not, if you have an inverter, you can use the 110 volt heater while driving. The alternator will carry the load.
tk User ID: 1662364	May 9th 9:08 AM A simple indoor/outdoor thermometer mounted near frig, with outdoor wire sensor going into frig, will give you your frig temp at a glance, and tell you how comfortable your RV is to boot! Ours is battery operated (one AAA battery), and lets us know when we need to fire up the frig, which is almost never unless it is over 90 outside and we are traveling all day.
BobW User ID: 9301033	May 9th 6:12 PM Seams like everyone out there's trying to protect us, coming up with ways to protect us from everything. Has anyone ever heard of a propane fire while traveling? If it has ever happened it would happen while not on the road. i use the laws of probability, if the chances are slim, go for it.