This is going to be harder than I thought

[mitch5252]

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Joan, camping at a local campground is a great idea! And now you have a backup plan (your fix-it guy)!
You go and knock 'em dead!!

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[Bethers]

Spoke to my local repair/service garage today. I had to pick up a cap for my black water tank. Asked them about the pilot light warning when I fill up with gas. He said when he is driving in his MH he always runs his generator for his refrigerator. Some think it uses too much fuel and prefer to use propane but he said that is not true. HOWEVER if I choose to run the frig on propane, then I must turn it off before filling up at the gas pump. He liked my idea of "camping" at a local park for a few days. He said he could rescue me if I run into trouble BEFORE leaving for the boondocks. He was very patient and did not laugh at any of my questions or the fact that I drained the battery. He said he will show me how to check the water levels in the battery (ies).

It depends on how far you're driving - and if you need the generator on for anything else. It does cost more to run the fridge on the generator than the propane. I will disagree with him on that. I can go for a LONG time boondocking with my fridge running on propane before I need more. And I don't carry nearly as much propane as I do gas. I can't figure out why he'd do that and I have to wonder a bit about him now - sorry. Let's see - last time I got propane was last fall in KY. And until I got to this cg in late March I did a lot of driving and boondocking.

I do agree about trying out a local cg. Get used to the rig - do the setup etc.

[mitch5252]

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I didn't get the comment about running the fridge off the generator, either...

Is it different with a travel trailer - I don't turn off my propane when I gas up.
The fridge is one of the BIG pluses for me (over a tent, when I was young.)

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[JoanE]

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Is it different with a travel trailer - I don't turn off my propane when I gas up.


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There is a sign by my gas cap that warns to turn out all pilot lights before fueling. My gas cap is right below where my refrigerator would be. I'm guessing that with your TT, you are only gassing up your truck which is nowhere near your fridge.

[JoanE]

It depends on how far you're driving - and if you need the generator on for anything else. It does cost more to run the fridge on the generator than the propane. I will disagree with him on that. I can go for a LONG time boondocking with my fridge running on propane before I need more. And I don't carry nearly as much propane as I do gas. I can't figure out why he'd do that and I have to wonder a bit about him now - sorry. Let's see - last time I got propane was last fall in KY. And until I got to this cg in late March I did a lot of driving and boondocking.

I'm experiencing deja vu with your comment. Someone also said to run the generator and a/c while driving if it is really hot outside as not doing so taxes the truck engine since the cab a/c cannot cool down the entire rig. Do you do that? I'm really impressed by your remark that propane lasts so long. One of the pluses of the C rig over the B rig is the space in the refrigerator. Since I eat so many veggies/fruit that would be important for me. Knowing that I can keep it running non-stop is really good news, even if I boondock.

[BirdbyBird]

Regarding a/c on the drive. I just don't see that the smaller units like Beth and mine are that hard to keep cool going down the road unless the road is so hard that I wouldn't be able to even keep the a/c on me in the cab. I can see that on the big long Class A and Cs the a/c may not be enough for the whole unit. Another reason for a small unit!

[cpatinjones]

The frig was off but I did find the battery disconnect switch and did turn that off when I left yesterday. I know that hard lessons leave an impression, I just don't want all of them to be "the hard way". lol

I am with you on that, sister.

[cpatinjones]

I've decided to camp at a local campground for a few days. Sure way to find out what I don't know but not too far away that I can't get help. Trial by fire.

Great idea! My first camping experience with my RV was in my driveway for the weekend.

[champson]

To Joan - I too am on my maiden voyage, and I live in Venice, FL. Neighbors! I have a 28 ft. 5th wheel and a diesel truck. I'm in Nova Scotia for the summer after having some difficulties myself. Had friends fly in from Kentucky to go part of the way with me; we had a nail in the tire before we drove out the driveway (they were roofing in my complex). I had used the AC while loading, with a 30-15 amp adapter. Somehow I burned out the converter/inverter (who knew what that was even?). The battery wouldn't hold a charge. Then my friend slammed on the brakes so hard the rocking chair hit the table next to it and smashed the sides a little. The truck didn't want to go up the hill, so I had to have the turbo fixed (for those thinking of buying a diesel - think again!) I know for certain size rigs it is necessary, but as it turns out I don't think it was for my lite weight 5th wheel. It doesn't go up the hill any better than a gas would; diesel is not always easy to find, and the noise and smell is obnoxious (ie when you're sightseeing around). Anyway, to the noise. I stayed at a friends in Maine, down a very steep driveway (alot of fun getting the rig in there - I learned what a 8-10 pt. turn was). Didn't stay in the rig; stayed in the hosue, but left the refrigerator on (took most of food out). The battery ran down, the propane had nothing to work off of and I got gas fumes in the coach. Set off the alarm, strong smell, and I didn't know it for a day. Well, I guess the lesson is - you learn your lessons the hard way. Now to the good part; I'm in Nova Scotia - loved New Brunswick (stayed right on the Bay of Fundy in a great campground). On to Baddeck and Cape Breton today for the summer; checking in to workamp until September. I am new to this forum and hope to learn from all of you fellow lady rv'rs. Contact me at champ12127@aol.com if you want to correspond directly. Tina

[JanetA]

back when I used to camp... when the dinosaurs were still roaming the earth,,, we had a pu camper.. (alaskan camper) which, by the way,,, my ex and a buddy used to own a factory,,,we always had what they called a 3-way refrig. It used propane when we were stopped,,, battery along the road,, and electric when we were in a full hookup place. Is that not the way things are done today? if so,, they what's the problem when you are fueling up... your fridge is on battery and should not be a problem.

One of you experts please clue me up to date on this,, can you?


thanks, in advance,,,

Janet

[OutandAbout]

,we always had what they called a 3-way refrig. It used propane when we were stopped,,, battery along the road,, and electric when we were in a full hookup place. Is that not the way things are done today? if so,, they what's the problem when you are fueling up... your fridge is on battery and should not be a problem.

One of you experts please clue me up to date on this,, can you?


thanks, in advance,,,

Janet

That's what I do. I run on the battery when underway, because the battery is being charged while driving. Also, if I stop for a short break the battery won't run down during that time. I don't have an onboard generator so can't use the AC mode. If boondocking, I would switch to propane.

Would there be a reason not to don it this way?

Linda

[JoanE]

The dealer told me that my fridge is either land line, generator or propane. So I leave it on auto. While I'm driving it goes to propane otherwise it goes to power if generator or land line are in use.

[Bethers]

Joan, Mine is always on auto, also. We have two-way fridges.

Linda, you have a 3-way, so you are good traveling with it on battery - but be very careful about "short stops" keeping it on battery. The day will come you forget and stay stopped longer. Just find a way to remind yourself if the day comes - a big red flag, or something. Kind of like the way I put something on my antenna handle so I can't forget when it's up.