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07-14-2015, 06:38 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 4
SUN #7408
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Traveling advise
Hi Again, So glad you are able to help the novice. the maiden voyage next week with our "new" 2004 Sunline Solaris. Is it safe to tow the trailer with the refrigerator running on gas? I realize it may be a dumb question, but I have a lot of them and don't want to ruin anything right away...  Thanks for the input! Sue
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07-14-2015, 06:58 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 279
SUN #6579
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Gas refrig
IN A WORD NO,it's not safe. Cool it down the night before you leave and put some of those freezer plastic thingys in it. You'll be ok!
Ps welcome to the group.. 
Dave
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1999 Sunline Solaris T2553--SOLD--
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07-14-2015, 07:44 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 1,515
SUN #768
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No, not a dumb question.
There IS a lot of argument on both sides of the question. I do run my fridge on gas while towing. Been doing it for 10 years. Many will argue that it is not safe. They also have valid points. One importand point is to ALWAYS turn off the fridge at gas stations while fueling or anyplace where a spark or open flame is dangerous .
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Gene & DW Ginny
2002 Sunline T-2363
2008 Toyota 4-runner 4wd 4.7L V-8
Reese Dual Cam straightline - P3 Brake controller
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07-14-2015, 07:59 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: New York
Posts: 2,909
SUN #93
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We do as Gene does - travel with the fridge on - need gas ....turn off.....fill up...turn on!
Sue just an FYI.....this forum feels that no question is a dumb question!
Enjoy your new to you Sunline - what model is it????
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Kathy & Leo SUN 093
Central Adirondacks of New York
2013 Rubicon 2900 Toy Hauler
We loved our 2007 T-2499
2010 Ford F-350 4x4 Lariat Super Crew Dually Diesel
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07-14-2015, 08:59 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 786
SUN #4050
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Sue,
As Gene said, you'll get opinions both ways. We're like Dave, we never travel with it on for a number of safety reasons and the fact that we're not so sure we'd always remember to turn it off when gassing up.
We pre-cool the fridge/freezer, put cold packs in the freezer, put the already cold/frozen food in, shut the door, and go. In 4-5 hour trips, we've never had anything go bad and in the freezer the ice cubes we bring along are still solid when we get to the campground. Then again, we don't stop and open up our fridge/freezer along the way. (It's a good idea to start with your food already cold or frozen; our Sunline fridge is good but not like a sticks-and-brick fridge for cooling things down.)
Welcome to SOC and happy camping!
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Matthew and Lisa
TT: '02 T-2363;
TV: 2012 Ford F-150, 4x4/Off-road, 5.0L V8, "Big Gray"
Reese Straitline w/ dual cam
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07-15-2015, 06:51 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,126
SUN #4040
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I'm with Gene. Tunnels in PA. require gas to be off. I've been towing TT on a off for 40+ years with gas on, no problems.
No dumb questions here. We were all newbies at one time.
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Jim and DW Darlene
2001 T-2553 Sunline Solaris
2006 GMC Sierra Duramax 2500HD 4X4
Firestone Transforce AT tires
Reese Dual Cam Sway Control
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07-15-2015, 07:06 AM
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#7
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Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 2,285
SUN #128
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Our rule of thumb is if the trip is shorter than 3 hours we leave it off. Longer trips we run it. Sure it's safer with it off, but if you're traveling all day you need it to be on.
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Pam
Lance 1475 "Snoopy"
2012 GMC Sierra 3500HD 4x4 D/A
2012 Arctic Fox 30U, SUNLINES - 2006 2753 "Tweety", 2007 QUE "QUEtSE", 2364, 1660
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07-15-2015, 07:52 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 279
SUN #6579
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Gas on/gas off
Just make sure to remember, YOU ONLY GET ONE CHANCE TO FORGET ABOUT TURNING IT OFF WHILE GASSING UP YOUR VEHICLE.. Do what you're most comfortable with.
Be safe!
Dave
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1999 Sunline Solaris T2553--SOLD--
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07-15-2015, 04:46 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Maine
Posts: 3,357
SUN #2097
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Try as I might I could not find a single case of reported fires related to refrigerators and gas stations. I run mine on the road I have never had it blow out and I have never set fire to a gas station. I don't think I would play with gasoline in a closed garage with any open flame. Campers and MH do catch fire and they burn really nice but it's generally mechanical failure or electrical issues. OBD tanks shut off with pressure drop so if you hack off a propane line the tank shuts off things have gotten much safer over the years.
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07-15-2015, 04:50 PM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 4
SUN #7408
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Thanks everyone for the pros and cons. Think we will cool down and leave it off since we are only going about 40 miles away. You are all so helpful, encouraging, gracious and appreciated! Ours is a T-2075 Lite.
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07-15-2015, 06:49 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 279
SUN #6579
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Gas on/gas off
Quote:
Originally Posted by mainah
Try as I might I could not find a single case of reported fires related to refrigerators and gas stations. I run mine on the road I have never had it blow out and I have never set fire to a gas station. I don't think I would play with gasoline in a closed garage with any open flame. Campers and MH do catch fire and they burn really nice but it's generally mechanical failure or electrical issues. OBD tanks shut off with pressure drop so if you hack off a propane line the tank shuts off things have gotten much safer over the years.
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I am glad that you've never had a problem. Being old school, I'm going to stick to my way. I'm not willing to try for a second chance. My way works out just fine for me.
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1999 Sunline Solaris T2553--SOLD--
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07-16-2015, 02:59 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Virginia
Posts: 638
SUN #987
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mainah
Try as I might I could not find a single case of reported fires related to refrigerators and gas stations.
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Now that is interesting. Ida thunk with all the dire warnings someone, somewhere woulda torched his trailer.
Teach
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 Wright Ellis and Penny Sedgley
'10 Tundra 4X4
SOB -'14 Rockwood 2604WS ( Rocky)
"Life is a cruel teacher. She gives the test first; the lesson then follows."
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07-16-2015, 05:13 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 759
SUN #5039
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This was my 1st search for: class A motor home fires. Check out the one at the service station!
https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?...&hsimp=yhs-002
This is my second search for: travel trailer fires.
https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;...&hsimp=yhs-002
Just an additional note I extracted from an article and hasn't been addressed here until now:
" Driving with propane on can add to the danger if you are involved in an accident or have a fire. Most refrigerators will keep food cold or frozen for eight hours without running while you travel. Shut the propane off at the tank."
Just having propane tanks has some safety issue potential in my opinion.
Please note that I'm not trying to be pro or con on the propane discussion, but rather just bringing info to the table.
Somewhere there is a thread where I had asked this question also. It was a year or so ago.
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TT:1983 Sunline T-1550
TT:1996 Sunline T-2053
TV:2005 Toyota Tundra Double Cab 2UZ-FE i-Force 4.7 L DOHC (MFI) V8 4WD SR5 Automatic
P3 break control
"I know a lot about nothing and nothing about a lot"
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07-16-2015, 06:27 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 759
SUN #5039
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I timed out on additional editing my post above, however, I did watch many of those fire videos and wanted to add that many didn't involve propane as the start of the fire.
What was very evident was how little time one has to get out of the unit once the fires starts.....mere minutes and second how fast the burn and toxic with the materials used in construction of the units.
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TT:1983 Sunline T-1550
TT:1996 Sunline T-2053
TV:2005 Toyota Tundra Double Cab 2UZ-FE i-Force 4.7 L DOHC (MFI) V8 4WD SR5 Automatic
P3 break control
"I know a lot about nothing and nothing about a lot"
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07-17-2015, 05:58 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Maryland
Posts: 841
SUN #37
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I'm not clear on too much of this. Yes, in a big accident that ruptures the gas line, a big fire will likely occur, but shutting off the propane before filling up the tow vehicle with gas? Where's the spark? And if there's a spark, couldn't that ignite the gasoline fumes? That would be a big problem itself. I don't hear of many fires at gas stations, even in areas where self-pumping is the norm.
Today, we leave on what will probably be a ten hour trip with a FULL refrigerator. If I keep the gas turned off at the tank, should I expect our food to be OK when we are ready for it? Hmmmm.
Is there a device that would sense a large amount of gas escaping the regulator suddenly (not ever a normal scenario) and shut the valve?
Rich
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 1992 T-2470 (now residing in South Carolina)
Current Sunline-2007 Solaris 2499
2018 Silverado 1500 w/Max Trailering pkg.
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07-17-2015, 07:11 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Maine
Posts: 3,357
SUN #2097
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An OPD valve will not allow fuel out on sudden loss of pressure. Next time you remove the tank hose turn the valve on and see what happens. As far as turning the gas off on the road that is a personal thing I don't many do is it safer? Probably but the newer system have a lot of built in safety features that older tanks do not have. I also believe the chance of a fire at a gas station with a water heater or fridge running is really extremely slim in a confined area it might be another story. Beyond a doubt the most dangerous thing with propane is the liquid not the gas because as soon as the pressure drops it expands to 270 X it's volume so a little bit goes a long way.
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07-17-2015, 10:00 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 448
SUN #4364
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Is there not an open flame that gasoline fumes can reach? The proper air/fuel mixture might not normally be there for gasoline ignition, but could it be? How likely is it - not necessarily from you filling your gas tank, but maybe some idiot in the position next to your TT? Not sure I'd want to take the chance myself.
(I don't have a propane fridge, so it doesn't affect me, and I don't have any experience with propane fridges. Just throwing it out there for consideration.)
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Dale (and Shelley)

TT: 1988 Sunline T-1350
TV: 2003 GMC Yukon SLT 5.3L
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07-17-2015, 04:02 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Maine
Posts: 3,357
SUN #2097
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I’d more concerned if he had a cigarette in his mouth while pumping gas.
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07-18-2015, 05:15 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 932
SUN #246
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It was my understanding that gasoline fumes that accumulate around the pumps while people are filling could possibly ignite from refrigerator flame or spark..now they warn you not to use a cellphone while in a pump area! That being said,I have always traveled with my fridge on..exception being while propane tank is being filled. I always pull into a gas station on an outside end pump with my fridge on the far side. With a full fridge and freezer, your fridge is not going to turn on very often unless it is very hot outside. Of course,this is only MY opinion and method of doing it!!! To each his own...
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1981 Sunline1350
'86 & '87 Sunline1661
'85 2100& '87 2262 Sunlines
'96 2553 & '95 1950 Sunlines
'95 and '98 Solaris 2653's
2002 Solaris T-2363
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07-18-2015, 08:26 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Maine
Posts: 3,357
SUN #2097
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Well the cell phone thing was floating around the web for a while until they decided that it just does not happen. After a lot of looking about fridges and fires what I came up with was fridge fires caused by leaking propane fittings in the fridge compartment that has caused a lot of insurance claims but still nothing about gasoline fires. What I get is don't do it or I all ways leave it on but I have yet to find any hard evidence of gas station fires caused be a fridge. Propane filling is a completely different story it behaves differently than gasoline and lights a lot easier. To each their own I’m not suggesting anyone go against their convictions and leave the fridge on it’s just something I personally think is way over blown.
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