NHTSA Complaint #10614774 — 2014 TRAILMANOR TRAVEL TRAILER

DOMETIC RM2354B RV LP GAS REFRIGERATOR [NFPA 5.4.6.5 (3) INCORPORATES A SAFETY CONTROL SYSTEM THAT PREVENTS BURNER OPERATION UNDER ANY OPERATING CONDITIONS THAT ALLOW PRODUCTS OF COMBUSTION TO DISCHARGE INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE RECREATIONAL VEHICLE.] THERE IS NO SAFETY CONTROL SYSTEM IN PLACE WHEN THE RV IS IN THE STOWED POSITION TO DEACTIVATE THE 12 VOLT LP GAS FUNCTION OF THE REFRIGERATOR. I RECENTLY ALMOST HAD A POTENTIAL FIRE CAUSED BY MY RV REFRIGERATOR ON JUNE 13, 2014 WHEN I DISCONNECTED THE CAMPSITE 110 VOLT AC POWER FROM MY POP-UP TRAILER WHILE PACKING/CLOSING THE POP-UP FOR TOWING. THE 110V/12V/LP GAS REFRIGERATOR IS DESIGN AUTOMATICALLY SWITCHED FROM 110V TO 12 VOLT / LP GAS IN THE AUTO POSITION. THE REFRIGERATOR IS "LOOKING" FOR THE BEST POWER SOURCE AVAILABLE IN THE AUTO MODE. IT AUTOMATICALLY TURNED THE LP GAS FUNCTION "ON" WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE. THIS IS A CONCERN SINCE REFRIGERATOR VENTING WOULD BE COVERED BY THE TWO ROOF SECTIONS IF FOLDED DOWN, WITH NO WHERE FOR THE HOT COMBUSTION GASES TO GO BUT INSIDE THE RV CABIN. LUCKILY I FELT THE HEAT FROM THE REFRIGERATOR VENTING WHEN I WAS DISCONNECTING / PACKING UP THE CABLE TV CONNECTION. CABLES AND ITEMS REQUIRING STORAGE MUST BE PACKED UP IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA BEFORE THE UPPER TWO ROOF SECTIONS ARE LOWERED. WITH THE SLIDE-OUT, IT IS DIFFICULT TO TURN OF THE LP GAS VALVES. IF I TURNED OFF THE GAS, THEIR WOULD STILL BE RESIDUAL GAS PRESSURE IN THE LINES TO OPERATE THE REFRIGERATOR IN LP GAS MODE. WITHOUT A SAFETY CONTROL, THE USER MUST INSURE THAT THE REFRIGERATOR IS IN THE OFF POSITION BEFORE STARTING TO DO ANY CLOSE DOWN ACTIVITIES . AS A RESULT OF THIS, I AM HAVING A SAFETY CONTROL SYSTEM INSTALLED IN MY RV THAT PREVENTS THE REFRIGERATOR BURNER FROM OPERATING AUTOMATICALLY. *TR