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Driving with refrig on

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castore357

Active member
Is it OK to drive with refrigerator running? I've heard from some that it's not due to the oil in the compressor. Is this true?
 
Grassjohn

Grassjohn

Well-known member
I can only speak for RV refrigerators (propane / 110v electric): they will operate while towing and they don’t have a compressor. The risk I would mention is, you have to tow with the propane turned on (unless you provide 110v power). I towed with the RV fridge running on propane every trip, with the exception being a few tunnels that require the propane be shut off at the tank.

This topic can be debated at every campground, typically around a campfire with adult beverages.
 
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castore357

Active member
Grassjohn said:
I can only speak for RV refrigerators (propane / 110v electric): they will operate while towing and they don’t have a compressor. The risk I would mention is, you have to tow with the propane turned on (unless you provide 110v power). I towed with the RV fridge running on propane every trip, with the exception being a few tunnels that require the propane be shut off at the tank.

This topic can be debated at every campground, typically around a campfire with adult beverages.
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Lol. Ty
 
CornCrib

CornCrib

Well-known member
We drive with our 12v compressor fridge on. No issues .. never heard you weren't supposed to.
 
M

Mike in North Wales

Well-known member
News to me. Kinda makes it useless to have a fridge if you can't use it while you travel. We've traveled with our 12VDC compressor fridge on for the last year with no issues.
 
A

AMW

Active member
Looks like the new 12 volt fridges have a low power mode? That sounds like it would be good for battery life on long haul days?
 
BryanValRox

BryanValRox

Well-known member
AMW said:
Looks like the new 12 volt fridges have a low power mode? That sounds like it would be good for battery life on long haul days?
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In my opinion, it shouldn’t be a problem either way. I believe the low power/night mode is a feature to reduce compressor noise during the nighttime hours. Ours is actually adjustable, I believe the default is 8 hours. I think that it reduces compressor cycling for those sensitive to overnight noise.
I guess it comes down to a personal choice whether you choose to use it on travel days for power savings.
Between the solar panel and the trucks charge line, the battery should maintain charge on your travel days.
We recently completed a round trip from MD to IN.(11 hours one way) in normal mode without any negative impact.
Our temperature monitor gave us visibility to the Frig/Freezer temps going down the road.
 
Oregon_Camper

Oregon_Camper

Forum Moderator
Staff member
Turn them on...leave them on. 25+ years with RV's, and I have always turned the frig on before leaving and then off when we get home. This is true for all types...propane, 120v and now out 12v only model.
 
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