Camping with vehicle attached

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   I lived for 6 years traveling in a 38' diesel pusher.  My fridge ran off 12v, 110v and LP.  If you were to go to an Escapees Rally and go to the seminars you will be told exactly what I said.  Call your locale fire department and ask what they think.  If I remember right my owners manual for the motor home said to switch to 12v for traveling. 

Terry

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TerryM Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Location: Saint Augustine Online Status: Offline Posts: 1950	Topic: Camping with vehicle attached Posted: 03 Mar 2011 at 2:36pm
	I lived for 6 years traveling in a 38' diesel pusher. My fridge ran off 12v, 110v and LP. If you were to go to an Escapees Rally and go to the seminars you will be told exactly what I said. Call your locale fire department and ask what they think. If I remember right my owners manual for the motor home said to switch to 12v for traveling. Terry
	RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4 Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565

Outbound Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 19 Nov 2009 Location: Oshawa, Ontario Online Status: Offline Posts: 767	Posted: 03 Mar 2011 at 7:40am
	Tens of thousands of RVers travel with propane on all the time. Larger rigs, with larger fridges, don't even have a 12v option and must run on propane while travelling. If travelling with propane on was a safety concern, RV manufacturers, afraid of lawsuits, would quite clearly communicate that propane must be turned off during travel; most likely some sort of idiot-proof interlock would be developed. Governments would prohibit travelling with propane on.
	Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150

TerryM Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Location: Saint Augustine Online Status: Offline Posts: 1950	Posted: 03 Mar 2011 at 4:22am
	It may be legal to travel with the propane open but don't do it. If there were to be an accident you would have an open gas source for a fire to feed on...BOOM! Terry
	RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4 Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059	Posted: 02 Mar 2011 at 7:17pm
	You can replace the factory jack with a fold-up model that fits on the side of the tongue.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

AvalancheRpod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 06 Nov 2010 Location: Burlington, Ont Online Status: Offline Posts: 16	Posted: 02 Mar 2011 at 6:05pm
	One possible problem with camping while hooked up is that some on some vans and suv's you may not be able to open the back door of the tow vehicle because of the tongue jack on the r-pod while you're hooked up.

rshapiro126 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 17 Jul 2010 Location: NC & MN Online Status: Offline Posts: 14	Posted: 01 Mar 2011 at 7:27pm
	Thank you all for your comments. This eases my mind & will make it easier for us to get an early start.
	Bob

profmagickb Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 15 Oct 2010 Location: New Iberia, LA Online Status: Offline Posts: 37	Posted: 01 Mar 2011 at 6:07pm
	I hitch up while my wife is sleeping, or getting ready in the pod.....never had any problems. I also have left it hitched up through the night. I also tow with the propane running the fridge. I think you will have an awesome time.... good luck
	I can't even begin to describe it.... you would just have to see for yourself....

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059	Posted: 01 Mar 2011 at 6:03pm
	One more comment - if you are camping with hookups you can keep the Bargman connector connected. This will keep not only the 'pod's battery topped off but it will also keep the car's battery topped off. If you are dry camping do as rpodcamper said and disconnect the Bargman connector.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

Outbound Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 19 Nov 2009 Location: Oshawa, Ontario Online Status: Offline Posts: 767	Posted: 01 Mar 2011 at 5:33pm
	I wouldn't worry about using the propane tank while connected to your vehicle. Its perfectly legal to travel with the propane running (apart from ferries and tunnels, and while refuelling). You may run into levelling problems if your campsite is off-kilter. If the tilt is out more than a few degrees, it can lead to crystals forming in your fridge coils, reducing its effectiveness and eventually an expensive repair. Also, I personally find it uncomfortable to sleep at an angle - and you're going to want a good nights sleep with all that exertion. You may wish to buy your wife some solo hitch aligners so that she can hitch-up by herself at her leisure. They're very easy to use and she'll become an expert after 3-4 tries. She's going to have to do all the other trailering tasks anyway (filling the fresh tank with water, backing in, levelling, going to the dump station)... hitching is really quite minor.
	Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Posted: 01 Mar 2011 at 5:21pm
	I second everything rpodcamper says. If I am just overnighting somewhere, I never unhook the trailer. I do unhook the Bargman (electrical plug) connector (as mentioned, for the reason mentioned). The only danger I see from the propane is if there is a leak. If there is any doubt about the integrity of the system check all of the fittings with a soap solution or have it checked by a professional - as this would be dangerous hooked or unhooked. While the tanks do have a safety vent incorporated into the regulator, it should only release a small amount only if there is excessive pressure; such as sitting in the direct sun for a long period. I look at it this way, my vehicle has 20+ gallons of exposive liquid (gasoline) on board. Could something go wrong with that - yes, but probably not (at least it hasn't in many years of driving). Personally, I've never heard of an incident similar to what you mention. Relax and enjoy the trip....it sounds cool!