2017 Travato Refrigerator

[bpestun]

Our refrigerator in our 2017 Travato Model 59G lights on gas but won't stay lit once we are underway ? Anyone else have this problem ? My refrigerator is a Dometic Model RML 8330 Gas,12v, and 120v AC model.

 

[EnduroRdr]

question: did it stay lit while under way previously?

I had a Winnebago era with 3 way fridge. It stayed lit almost all the time - only once did I find it not lit upon reaching destination. I blamed it on windy driving conditions and figured heavy cross winds may have blown it out.
There is a metal heat shielding around the flame - maybe yours has slipped loose or lost a screw allowing more air to blow flame?

 

[peteco]

I used to have the fridge on propane while driving. Then I learned how dangerous that can be, so I switched to using the 12v as I have a 3-way. The 12v option only maintains the temperature, so be sure the fridge is cooled down using 120v or propane ahead of time. Be sure to switch to propane if stopped for a long time as the 12v can pull the batteries down quickly when the engine is not running.

 

[EnduroRdr]

It is true that driving with propane flame lit is considered dangerous and out right illegal is some situations. I think some states may have laws against it while under way. I know that some areas forbid it while traveling in tunnels or on ferries.
And even require RVs to shut off propane supply altogether either closing the hand valve or shutting off via a safety solenoid switch.

Most gas stations have signs something to the effect “No Open Flames Within 50 Feet of Pumps” or some form of that.
And if you think about it the Travato G and many other RVs have the refrigerator on same side as the gas cap. So yea it’s risky fueling your RV while your propane refrigerator is lit.

Have I done it? Yea many many times. I’m not condoning it at all. But I’m willing to bet there are a lot of RVs out there with open flames burning while at the gas pump.

Gives one something to think about!

 

[avanti]

It is true that driving with propane flame lit is considered dangerous and out right illegal is some situations. I think some states may have laws against it while under way. I know that some areas forbid it while traveling in tunnels or on ferries.
And even require RVs to shut off propane supply altogether either closing the hand valve or shutting off via a safety solenoid switch.

Most gas stations have signs something to the effect “No Open Flames Within 50 Feet of Pumps” or some form of that.
And if you think about it the Travato G and many other RVs have the refrigerator on same side as the gas cap. So yea it’s risky fueling your RV while your propane refrigerator is lit.

It is certainly true that it is unsafe and often illegal to run propane appliances at gas stations, propane fueling stations, and some tunnels.

However, I have never heard of it being illegal in any state. Any documentation of this?

 

[EnduroRdr]

Ok challenge accepted:

My comment:
“I think some states may have laws against it while under way”
Was directed at tunnels. Not necessarily related to general travel, but I guess that wasn’t clear as I wrote it.

Sue me for unclear communication - lol

I should probably proof read more often.

I don’t think there are laws against valves being open in general while traveling - none that I can confirm other than on certain roads or specific areas like ferries, tunnels, etc.

But a challenge is a challenge

This site states it’s illegal to travel with propane on. No real detail on specifically if just in tunnels or on highway, it just says “illegal to travel with valves open” so take it for whatever that’s worth.

Scroll to bottom of article:
https://www.tripsavvy.com/rv-propane-safety-505111

Also A couple of states specifically listed as no propane in certain tunnels valves or no valves.
Just no propane in those tunnels period.
See Maryland and New York:

https://www.rvtripwizard.com/rv-info/state-road-laws.php

https://www.goodsam.com/article/default.aspx?articleID=2377513

Other states like Texas say propane ok if valves closed in certain tunnels.

Personally I have always driven with my propane fridge on and running.
Just 2 weeks ago I drove through the Mobile Tunnel on I-10, and yes I forgot to stop and close valves, fortunately no one caught me doing that.
But then maybe it’s ok in Alabama?

Do I condone this practice - NO
But I do make fun of it because I am a realist and I know most of the other RVs traveling don’t close theirs either.

Same goes for gas stations:
People just gas up even with a propane fridge burning a few feet away.
That one worries me some, it’s a risk few even realize.

 

[wrightstuf]

"Personally I have always driven with my propane fridge on and running.
Just 2 weeks ago I drove through the Mobile Tunnel on I-10, and yes I forgot to stop and close valves, fortunately no one caught me doing that.
But then maybe it’s ok in Alabama?

Do I condone this practice - NO
But I do make fun of it because I am a realist and I know most of the other RVs traveling don’t close theirs either.

Same goes for gas stations:
People just gas up even with a propane fridge burning a few feet away.
That one worries me some, it’s a risk few even realize."


I would caution you on being a realist on this forum. It can be almost as hazardous

 

[eric1514]

Our refrigerator in our 2017 Travato Model 59G lights on gas but won't stay lit once we are underway ? Anyone else have this problem ? My refrigerator is a Dometic Model RML 8330 Gas,12v, and 120v AC model.

Check out this thread. Read it all the way to the end for an alternative.

LINK

 

[oilman]

My Winne Era has the same refrigerator. The flame on mine also blows out while driving.
I just leave it on 120 AC and let it run through the inverter while driving. Before I had the inverter I left it on 12 vdc while driving.

 

[peteco]

My Winne Era has the same refrigerator. The flame on mine also blows out while driving.
I just leave it on 120 AC and let it run through the inverter while driving. Before I had the inverter I left it on 12 vdc while driving.

Does the fridge work better on the 120v inverter than on 12v?

 

[oilman]

Does the fridge work better on the 120v inverter than on 12v?

I think so, it seems that at best the 12 volts could barely maintain the temp in hot weather.
I believe this model refrigerator also has no thermostatic temperature control on12vdc or gas, it's all or nothing. Gas mode has to be manually lit by pushing an igniter.

 

[EnduroRdr]

I would caution you on being a realist on this forum. It can be almost as hazardous

LOL YES that is good advice! And very true! Thanks I’ll try not to take such risks in the future!

 

[ks@yvr]

Gas-station fire destroys Indiana couple’s RV

HOUMA — An Indiana couple’s RV caught fire at a Barrow Street gas station Wednesday, burning for about a half hour as spilled fuel and a propane tank on the vehicle fed the flames.
Irwin Binder and his wife, Linda, escaped unharmed with their Yorkshire terrier, Holly. Binder, 73, said the blaze started as he prepared to fill up the Roadtrek recreational vehicle and the nozzle spewed gasoline, igniting when it came into contact with a pilot light on the RV.

See: https://www.houmatoday.com/news/20100325/gas-station-fire-destroys-indiana-couples-rv

STRONGLY SUGGEST you turn off fridge pilot lights at gas stations, even if you have a diesel vehicle, because someone else's close by gas vehicle gasoline fumes could ignite from your pilot light. Especially in hot weather. Saw a diesel owner saying he did not turn off pilot as he has diesel.

 

[eric1514]

HOUMA — An Indiana couple’s RV caught fire at a Barrow Street gas station Wednesday, burning for about a half hour as spilled fuel and a propane tank on the vehicle fed the flames.
Irwin Binder and his wife, Linda, escaped unharmed with their Yorkshire terrier, Holly. Binder, 73, said the blaze started as he prepared to fill up the Roadtrek recreational vehicle and the nozzle spewed gasoline, igniting when it came into contact with a pilot light on the RV.

See: https://www.houmatoday.com/news/20100325/gas-station-fire-destroys-indiana-couples-rv

STRONGLY SUGGEST you turn off fridge pilot lights at gas stations, even if you have a diesel vehicle, because someone else's close by gas vehicle gasoline fumes could ignite from your pilot light. Especially in hot weather. Saw a diesel owner saying he did not turn off pilot as he has diesel.

From 2010? Nothing more recent?

 

[ks@yvr]

Plenty of more recent ones - just google "RV Fire at gas station" it happens quite frequently unfortunately.

 

[eric1514]

Plenty of more recent ones - just google "RV Fire at gas station" it happens quite frequently unfortunately.

I did and on the first page of results there was exactly one fire at the pump, the incident you posted. It doesn't happen quite frequently. That's not to say it's not a good idea to shut off the flame when tanking up, but 1 event in 8-9 years is not "frequently".

 

[EnduroRdr]

Freak accident indeed, I read the article and there is controversy over exactly how it all started.
One possible scenario was that the RV owner had the gasoline nozzle on as he turned on the pump whether his doing or a previous user had it locked open. . (As in already squeezed the valve handle or had it locked in open as he selected fuel grade) this starting the pump flow before the nozzle was inserted into the gas tank filler.
I’m assuming he would immediately attempt to stick it in the gas fill hole - probably slinging raw fuel all over the place!
The article is not completely clear on the exact events - but it suggests that fuel was somehow sprayed out and got on the side of van.
In any case, raw fuel on van in vicinity of the refrigerator propane open flame is a recipe for disaster!

Regardless if the fire was result of negligence from the driver or faulty equipment or someone previously leaving the handle in locked open position, it was a freak incident that could happen to anyone.

Does make a good argument for shutting off your propane flame before fueling up.
Accidentally Spilling fuel is a real potential scenario, regardless of who or what causes it.

Personally this is another reason I’m glad my Travato has a compressor refrigerator. No open flame is one less worry.