Towing with Propane Caution

[Jon in AZ]

There have been many discussions about towing with propane appliances running. While generally safe, some people ignore federal regulations about extinguishing all flames when refueling. This report is a reminder that serious fires can and do result from RV propane appliances operating near fuel pumps.

This one was apparently caused by a water heater pilot flame. Now an isolated community will not have a local fuel source for several days at least, and somebody’s insurance is going to get hit with a hefty property damage claim. Thankfully, no injuries.




To do it right, you need to stop before pulling up to the pumps, turn off all propane appliances, pull up and refuel, then pull away from the pumps before relighting.

[ShelbyM]

Always good to be reminded of this. Must have been a brain fart, don't know why anyone would need to travel with the w/h turned on.

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by ShelbyM

Always good to be reminded of this. Must have been a brain fart, don't know why anyone would need to travel with the w/h turned on.

I wondered about that, too. The fridge might have been on as well, but we'll never know.

To be fair, this is a very rare event. A lot of variables have to line up for a small flame to ignite concentrated fuel vapors. That can lead to complacency.

According to an unattributed statistic in an older post, polls show around 75% of RVs travel with at least one propane appliance in operation, usually the fridge*. I often wonder how many actually bother to turn them off before pulling up to the pumps. I see little visible evidence of it, and I my region I share the fuel pumps with a lot of RV travelers.
* probably less now that many newer RVs have DC electric fridges

[Thane]

Last week I pulled into a rest stop to let the dog out and while checking the trailer I noted a very heavy ammonia smell inside and outside the trailer. The refrigerator (19 years old) had a significant leak in the back of the unit. Luckily the refer was not on because ammonia and hydrogen leaking from the refer can be flammable if the conditions are right. When I got home 2 hours later the smell was gone, I assume all the gasses had been vented. New refer for me…
I suspect a fire would not occur while moving due to turbulence, but may occur when stopped.
I assume most people do a walk around check of the trailer when they get out of the tow vehicle. This leak was easily smelled feet away from the trailer.
On a long trip, over 6 hours of driving, I might run the refer for a hour or so, but otherwise I use ice packs to keep things cool. No medications in there to worry about.

[computerspook]

Originally Posted by Thane

Last week I pulled into a rest stop to let the dog out and while checking the trailer I noted a very heavy ammonia smell inside and outside the trailer. The refrigerator (19 years old) had a significant leak in the back of the unit. Luckily the refer was not on because ammonia and hydrogen leaking from the refer can be flammable if the conditions are right. When I got home 2 hours later the smell was gone, I assume all the gasses had been vented. New refer for me…
I suspect a fire would not occur while moving due to turbulence, but may occur when stopped.
I assume most people do a walk around check of the trailer when they get out of the tow vehicle. This leak was easily smelled feet away from the trailer.
On a long trip, over 6 hours of driving, I might run the refer for a hour or so, but otherwise I use ice packs to keep things cool. No medications in there to worry about.

If you smelled the ammonia yet your fridge is bad. The coolant has leaked out

[Jann Todd]

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

There have been many discussions about towing with propane appliances running. While generally safe, some people ignore federal regulations about extinguishing all flames when refueling. This report is a reminder that serious fires can and do result from RV propane appliances operating near fuel pumps.

This one was apparently caused by a water heater pilot flame. Now an isolated community will not have a local fuel source for several days at least, and somebody’s insurance is going to get hit with a hefty property damage claim. Thankfully, no injuries.

Attachment 153829
Attachment 153830

To do it right, you need to stop before pulling up to the pumps, turn off all propane appliances, pull up and refuel, then pull away from the pumps before relighting.

I hate to park next to an RV that may have a pilot on. We stop as soon as we enter the driveway and turn off the fridge. Before leaving a campground we turn off the water heater and make sure nothing else has a pilot on. We fuel up and drive to the exit, pull over and turn on the fridge. People that ignore shutting off pilots could kill others and most people have no clue about the dangers of pilots in gas stations. Gas fumes can build up under or around a vehicle and set a fire if there is a flame source. People think the gasoline is the problem. It is not. It is the fumes.

[computerspook]

[QUOTE=Jann Todd;874866 People think the gasoline is the problem. It is not. It is the fumes.[/QUOTE]


You can actually put a fire out with gasoline. You read that right. As long as it is liquid it can smother a fire. But the second or the micosecond it because a vapor you are in trouble.


I accidentally tried this twice by accident. Long story. Short version the gasoline was supposed to be water but there was a communications gap. The first time it worked. The second time the vapor formed before the fire was out and I got a small mushroom cloud/mushroom shaped rising flame., and lost a bunch of my hair.

[Jann Todd]

Originally Posted by computerspook

You can actually put a fire out with gasoline. You read that right. As long as it is liquid it can smother a fire. But the second or the micosecond it because a vapor you are in trouble.


I accidentally tried this twice by accident. Long story. Short version the gasoline was supposed to be water but there was a communications gap. The first time it worked. The second time the vapor formed before the fire was out and I got a small mushroom cloud/mushroom shaped rising flame., and lost a bunch of my hair.

Yes you are right. The fumes with air causes the explosions. I found out when I struck a match on a grill at a campground that I'd put some gas on to start a fire in a wet time. Poof up on my face. Fortunately didn't get burned except a little hair.

[computerspook]

Originally Posted by Jann Todd

Yes you are right. The fumes with air causes the explosions. I found out when I struck a match on a grill at a campground that I'd put some gas on to start a fire in a wet time. Poof up on my face. Fortunately didn't get burned except a little hair.

And the fire probably did not even get started because anything on the coals only burnt once it evaporated. ;-)



You apparently had also not used a full bucket of gasoline ;-) ;-) ;-)

[Jann Todd]

Originally Posted by computerspook

And the fire probably did not even get started because anything on the coals only burnt once it evaporated. ;-)



You apparently had also not used a full bucket of gasoline ;-) ;-) ;-)

Was using wood for a fire and only about 1/2 cup of gasoline. The fire did start.

[computerspook]

Originally Posted by Jann Todd

Was using wood for a fire and only about 1/2 cup of gasoline. The fire did start.

In my case I had a bucket of water I and set aside when I was welding in case I got a fire started. My dad used to wash parts in gasoline and had emptied the water and put gasoline in it to wash some parts out and then left it there and I did not know it. Then I got a small fire started and tried to put it out.



The first time I tried this it actually worked. The second time it did not. And the flames shot up into the air and a lot a lot of hair. My mom reamed my dad a new one over that and he at least stopped leaving the bucket where he got it from.


At time how you leave things can leave the wrong information to someone. I know a couple decades ago I was taking a friend's preschool daughter for the rest of the day after church so they could go do something. He told he me had put her car seat in my car. I got to the car with her and put her in it and strapped her in and pulled out of the church and she tipped over. He had put it in my car without actually fastening it in the car. But they way it was sitting looked like it had been fully installed. I learned something from that (too). Now if I am transferring a car seat to a car if I don't actually install it I put it in upside down so it is obvious it is not fastened in.


OH well this is getting away from the original subject.

[Mr Lynn]

I am the cautious sort, and don't travel with the propane tanks open. Our 3-way fridge does a good job of keeping stuff cool, if we don't open it, and start with a good amount of frozen food and/or ice—and cool the fridge down the night before.

We also turn off the water heater gas switch inside the trailer.

/Mr Lynn

[computerspook]

Originally Posted by Mr Lynn

I am the cautious sort, and don't travel with the propane tanks open. Our 3-way fridge does a good job of keeping stuff cool, if we don't open it, and start with a good amount of frozen food and/or ice—and cool the fridge down the night before.

We also turn off the water heater gas switch inside the trailer.

/Mr Lynn

That depends on how far. I use the 12 volts over about 4 hours. I also have been known to park out a bit if I am going to be somewhere for a couple of hours or more and activate the propane.