Frig while towing

Trailpixie

is it a bad idea to keep anything inside the refrigerator while towing? What about when driving on dirt roads?

Nomad

No - We full/part timers do it all the time. Keep the fridge on so nothing spoils.

db_cooper

You'll learn how to pack it to keep stuff from bouncing around too much.  We were running it on battery while traveling, but you'll find it freezes things as it runs on high on battery, no thermostat control.  Now we run on propane while moving, with no ill effects. 

The Norcold is well insulated, if stuff is cold you can turn it off for hours and it holds the cold.

Nomad

If you run on propane (which I prefer) and your fridge vents are on the front of the T@B, stop every so often and make sure it's still lit. Winds/gusts can blow out the flame. I've even had it blow out in high winds in a campground.

db_cooper

Agreed with Pxl, I check when we stop, so far no blow outs yet. 

Cyclonic

How would the beer stay cold if I didn't keep it in the fridge.  You just learn how to pack it so stuff does not bounce around too much.

ericnliz

Gotta keep the beer cold! I found a dedicated cooler works the best!

Homebodyatheart

Ericnliz, is that the one on wheels with the attachable pull straps? ;-)

ericnliz

Nope.

Tabaz

The thermostat is inoperable when connected to the TV battery?

jkjenn

OutbackAZ said:

The thermostat is inoperable when connected to the TV battery?

On dc power, yes.

Tabaz

Boo - are you saying the thermostat does work on DC?

Verna

@OutbackAZ, Frank, there is no thermostat operating while on the T@B's battery. The thermostat only works on AC or propane. Someone noted that last year (I think) when they were going through the Norcold schematics and associated paperwork. 

Tabaz

Thanks Jenn, Boo and Verna. Did not know that. I'll travel with the Norcold on propane from now on. Too many temperature variations cannot promote food safety.

AldebaranJill

OutbackAZ said:

Thanks Jenn, Boo and Verna. Did not know that. I'll travel with the Norcold on propane from now on. Too many temperature variations cannot promote food safety.

Getting a digital thermometer with probe that lives inside the fridge has really surprised me with regard to interior temperature with various knob positions vs outside temp (propane or AC). Wild differences day to night and between running propane and running on shore power. I used to rely on knob setting, now I rely on thermometer and adjust knob several times daily to keep between 34 and 40 F. 

Dalehelman

If you don't use the 12 volt when towing when would you use it? My understanding is that 12 volts is designed to maintain when traveling, and operates at low level. That is why it is not thermostaticly controlled. I always use it, but it is very important to remember to switch to an alternate source upon arrival.

dsatwork

We used 12v on the the way to the first winery last weekend but it was less than 30 minutes away. It was easier than taking the time to turn on the propane. But, I've been concerned about using the refrigerator on 12v too.... based on the story after story of people that ended up at camp with a dead battery. @Dalehelman I should know but it seems that I forgot what you tow with? do you have a beefed up alternator because you purchased the tow package for your TV?

Dalehelman

dsatwork said:

We used 12v on the the way to the first winery last weekend but it was less than 30 minutes away. It was easier than taking the time to turn on the propane. But, I've been concerned about using the refrigerator on 12v too.... based on the story after story of people that ended up at camp with a dead battery. @Dalehelman I should know but it seems that I forgot what you tow with? do you have a beefed up alternator because you purchased the tow package for your TV?

2015 Jeep GC with factory tow package 

jkjenn

dsatwork said:

We used 12v on the the way to the first winery last weekend but it was less than 30 minutes away. It was easier than taking the time to turn on the propane. But, I've been concerned about using the refrigerator on 12v too.... based on the story after story of people that ended up at camp with a dead battery. @Dalehelman I should know but it seems that I forgot what you tow with? do you have a beefed up alternator because you purchased the tow package for your TV?

If you are going to be traveling less than 3 hours, you could easily get away with letting your fridge cool down before you leave and leaving it off while you drive.

dsatwork

Thanks @jkjenn but on our big trip the days are going to be 6 to 7 hour days...but we may give it a go on one of the days that we have electricity and water... so if it does drain the battery...no harm no foul. Also we ran  the fridge on propane all weekend and it worked perfectly. 

dsatwork

Dalehelman said:

dsatwork said:

We used 12v on the the way to the first winery last weekend but it was less than 30 minutes away. It was easier than taking the time to turn on the propane. But, I've been concerned about using the refrigerator on 12v too.... based on the story after story of people that ended up at camp with a dead battery. @Dalehelman I should know but it seems that I forgot what you tow with? do you have a beefed up alternator because you purchased the tow package for your TV?

2015 Jeep GC with factory tow package yes my theory is proved ....with the powerful alternator...it's not a problem

ScottG

I gave up on the 12V setting after season one. Even if the TV alternator was able to keep up with the demand, it was too much hassle to remember to turn it off at every stop to avoid draining the T@B battery.

If we pre-chill the fridge on AC, then pack it with cold/frozen items (including two jugs of must-have ice cubes) we arrive in camp 6+ hours later with everything still rock solid. If you think of the Norcold as a simple cooler, it's no different than what we did tent camping.