Scamp, 4cu ft fridge only 2-way

[drjenk]

Hi,
We're looking at Scamp options on their 5th wheel, and noticed that the 4 cu ft model fridge, which is the minimum size we'd need, is only a 2 way (AC and propane). I talked to the sales rep about how you'd use it on the road, he said what you'd do is typically either leave the propane on, or just every few hours, turn it on for a few hours during towing, at a rest stop. This just seems odd that it is not a 3-way like it's smaller 1.9 cu ft model. Does anyone have a 2-way fridge, and what do you do on the road? Do you leave the propane on the fridge while driving? We have a pop up with a 3-way fridge now and am used to turning on the DC when on the road.

Thanks
David J.

[Francesca Knowles]

Hi, David

You ought to fall down on your knees and thank your lucky stars that the 2-way fridge Scamp is selling is the Real Deal.
Other trailer makers are attempting to persuade people that a combination 12v/110v fridge is "2-way".
It's not.
It's all-electric.
In most cases, in fact, it's 12v ONLY, powered from 110v by the kind of adapter you plug your radio in to.
Many fridge makers have stopped making the old "3-ways" because they can really only be powered by 12v while underway and being fed by the tow vehicle.
They'll suck your battery dry in a matter of hours when parked.
Except for people scared of the infinitesimally small chance of a propane- involved fire, nobody with a 3-way fridge uses the 12v option while underway, or at any other time.
So the 12v option has fallen out of favor with the manufacturers.
Most experienced trailer-toters run their trailer fridge on propane unless plugged in to shore power.
That includes highway time.

Hope this helps!

Francesca

[honda03842]

I agree with Francesca, 12 VDC is not very useful. Our fridge is a 3 way but it might as well be a 2 way. We only run it on Propane or AC because 12 volt operation really drains the battery.

The only issue with Propane is that if you drive with the Propane on you have to shut the fridge off before refueling.

We hardly ever run the Fridge while towing. A closed Fridge if cooled properly before leaving on a trip will maintain Fridge temps for about four hours if not opened.

We start off in the morning with the temps in the mid 30's and by the time we stop it's typically climbed to the mid 40's. I admit we rarely travel in the summer heat but when we do it seems OK as well.

With our Motorhome when the AC goes off it automatically switched to Propane. We always allowed that operation, shutting it off before entering a gas station.

As well we have a 1.9 cubic foot fridge and I believe the 4 cubic foot is a better solution.

Norm