towing and runnig the refrigerator

Discuss with others about towing. What is the best tow vehicle, hitches, brake controllers, etc, keeping in mind that everybody has his/her favorite.

Moderator: Mike Clay

Post Reply
User avatar
ricklaplante
Posts: 28
Joined: Mon Feb 27, 2012 5:29 am
Location: Michigan L'Anse
Cardinal Owners: 3515
f250
Firestone air bags air lift wireless control
Location: Michigan L'Anse

towing and runnig the refrigerator

Post by ricklaplante »

i would like to know what you do while towing and your refrigerator to keep it cold. i have to bring ours in and have some work on the leaky roof and i think it will be there for the night. but i would like to run it while we are on the road to the dealer.
can you run it on gas while you tow it ?
thank you
3515 bird
f250 sd
User avatar
EAW
Posts: 1333
Joined: Mon Nov 10, 2008 5:40 am
Location: Illinois Nauvoo
Cardinal Owners: 2005 Cardinal 31RKT
Skype ID: eaward49
Location: Illinois Nauvoo

Re: towing and runnig the refrigerator

Post by EAW »

I run mine on gas while towing. Sometimes crosswinds will blow the fire out so I always check the "check" light when we stop for breaks.

There are pros and cons to running with an LP tank turned on but it boils down to what you want to do.
Earnie, Penny, and Roxie
2005 Cardinal 31 RKT with many mods.
2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD Crew Cab Denali 4WD LB SWR w/DuraMax, 10spd Allison

"Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many." Mark Twain
User avatar
Olbird
Council, Asst. Admin
Posts: 4185
Joined: Fri Mar 10, 2006 9:29 pm
Location: Washington Kelso
Cardinal Owners: 3850 RL
Location: Washington, LaCenter

Re: towing and runnig the refrigerator

Post by Olbird »

No problem towing with refrigerator running on gas, I have done it for 38 years now on every camper I ever had.
I would use caution and shut it off if fueling up at a propane station or very close to a fuel pump.
George & Julie
3850 RL Full Paint w/ TrailAir Spring Ride System, Kodiak Disc Brakes, TrailAir Tri-Glide Pin Box, Over 130 Mods

2022 Ford F450 DRW
User avatar
Double D's
Posts: 5240
Joined: Wed May 17, 2006 5:04 am
Location: Illinois Chicagoland area,
Cardinal Owners: 2013 3675 Cardinal 5th Wheel
Location: Illinois Chicagoland area

Re: towing and runnig the refrigerator

Post by Double D's »

We not only run with our fridge going, we run with the FURNACE going when we leave home in January (from COLD northern Illinois!) It sure makes it nice to come into a very nice and warm space when we stop for lunch or for the night.. it takes WAY too long to warm up the bed, furniture, floors, etc from Zero weather to comfy.

We don't take on water till we get south far enough to keep everything from freezing - thus our first day is a 500 mile day, heading South! Just our opinion, but it works for us....
http://www.ddbalfanz.blogspot.com/

Double D's - Dennis and Donna

2013 Cardinal 3675- The "Double D Retreat"
Trail Air Pin Box and Suspension
2007 Chevy Dually 3500, Duramax
Rallies - 20
Days out in 2015- 145
Days out in 2014 - 71
Days out in 2013 - 187 Alaska
User avatar
Mike Clay
Council, Administrator
Posts: 13245
Joined: Mon Mar 13, 2006 8:53 am
Location: Oregon Gresham
Cardinal Owners: 2016 3850RL Estate
Skype ID: Mike-Clay
Location: Oregon Gresham

Re: towing and runnig the refrigerator

Post by Mike Clay »

Have also ran my fridge close to 40 years of rving. Like George said if you get fuel with your trailer on shut it off before you get there then back on your next stop. In my case and with 90 gallons of diesel i do not take my trailer in with me while fueling so never an issue. Have only had this fridge blow out once in cross winds but that was in California and we all know California hates me. :d
Mike, Susanna & Rudy
2016 3850RL Estate "Proto Grigio"
2019 Silverado 3500HD Dually D/A 4x4 LTZ
My dreams are too big for my wallet
Rallies attended - 32

Nights camping in 2013:159 2014:269 2015:Full Timers
User avatar
teallen
Posts: 3222
Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2008 5:47 pm
Location: Michigan Battle Creek,
Cardinal Owners: 2012 3030
Skype ID: thomas.allen511
Location: Michigan Battle Creek,

Re: towing and runnig the refrigerator

Post by teallen »

We always use the frig on propane when towing. As soon as you unplug shore power and if the frig is on the auto setting it will fire up. Check to make sure you have flame, sometimes you can hear it or may have to remove vent panel to visually check.
Tom and Judy
2012 Cardinal 3030RS ("le Chateau")
2018 RAM 3500
9 grandkids (keeps us busy)
Rallys attended - 17
2019 Camping Days- 7
Camping Days - 2011 - 90, 2012 - 144, 2013 - 130, 2014 - 130, 2015 - 107
User avatar
Don Wilson
Region Leader Admin
Posts: 7408
Joined: Sat Mar 25, 2006 3:27 pm
Location: California Riverbank
Cardinal Owners: 2019 3350
Location: New Mexico - California

Re: towing and runnig the refrigerator

Post by Don Wilson »

I also tow with my refer running and always haveand I can not remember having the pilot ever go out. The only time I was made to turn the gas off was going through the Zion to Mt Carmel Tunnel in Zion National Park, Utah.

Don
We don't know a stranger only friends we haven't met yet!

Don
2019 Cardinal 3350RLX Luxury Edition
2014 Dodge 3500 2WD DRW Long Bed

2023 Nights Camped 33
2022 Nights Camped 24
2021 Nights Camped 46


Rallies Attended - 50
Frog - 5
User avatar
ricklaplante
Posts: 28
Joined: Mon Feb 27, 2012 5:29 am
Location: Michigan L'Anse
Cardinal Owners: 3515
f250
Firestone air bags air lift wireless control
Location: Michigan L'Anse

Re: towing and runnig the refrigerator

Post by ricklaplante »

thank you all for the information it will help keep my beer cold LOL
again thank you for the help
3515 bird
f250 sd
User avatar
Mike Clay
Council, Administrator
Posts: 13245
Joined: Mon Mar 13, 2006 8:53 am
Location: Oregon Gresham
Cardinal Owners: 2016 3850RL Estate
Skype ID: Mike-Clay
Location: Oregon Gresham

Re: towing and runnig the refrigerator

Post by Mike Clay »

ricklaplante wrote: it will help keep my beer cold LOL
Now your talking :thumbrt:
Mike, Susanna & Rudy
2016 3850RL Estate "Proto Grigio"
2019 Silverado 3500HD Dually D/A 4x4 LTZ
My dreams are too big for my wallet
Rallies attended - 32

Nights camping in 2013:159 2014:269 2015:Full Timers
Post Reply