Forum Discussion

rich85704's avatar
rich85704
Explorer
Mar 22, 2014

How level is level enough?

I understand that propane refrigerators need to be level, even when not in use. I even sorta kinda understand why.

But how level does it have to be? I have a level app on my phone which tells me that it's level within 1 degree when it's parked in the storage lot. Is that good enough?

1999 Santara Class C. The documentation is in the rig (I've stopped sleeping with it) but I'm pretty sure the reefer is made by Dometic; it has a separate freezer compartment.

Thanks!

Rich
Class C
  • wbwood's avatar
    wbwood
    Explorer
    Mar 25, 2014
    I don't bother with sticking a level in the fridge. I level it from the countertop. And unless my counter top or fridge moved, then it's level if it's level from the counter top.
  • Mocoondo's avatar
    Mocoondo
    Explorer II
    Mar 25, 2014
    If the vehicle "feels" more or less level, then it is level enough for the refer to work properly.

    You do not need any carpentry tools to determine if you are level enough.
  • Gjac's avatar
    Gjac
    Explorer III
    Mar 24, 2014
    mumkin wrote:
    I'm wondering how I would ever know the number of degrees off level that I am. Is there a handy/dandy little device that will tell you that? I have one of those star-shaped EZ Levels, but it only tells you in which direction you aren't level, but not how many degrees.

    And no... I have no "aps" as my phone is even dumber than I am.
    If you take a carpenters level and place it on a the flat area of the freezer floor and say it is a half bubble off, if you raise it until the bubble is in the middle you can then measure the angle with a protractor. You do this once and you will be able to relate degrees to bubble reading.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Mar 23, 2014
    Bordercollie wrote:
    died at around ten years old.
    That's not bad for today's fridges.
  • Bordercollie's avatar
    Bordercollie
    Explorer
    Mar 23, 2014
    Our Dometic Fridge was operated off level in our typical driveway for extended periods of time during a home remodel,and died at around ten years old. Our mobile service guy told us to operate the fridge near level, per a bubble level in the bottom of the fridge itself, when parked, after he replaced the fridge with a same size Norcold unit. There are rumors that current cooling units are not as robust as older ones were due to different coolant fomulas and design.
  • tenbear's avatar
    tenbear
    Explorer
    Mar 23, 2014
    snowdance wrote:
    Do not carry glass. So we just put a can of beer on the table and if it does not fall off and we can walk around in comfort we are good.


    I actually used a soda can on the floor to level my TT years ago. Watched it roll and leveled the TT accordingly. I guess a beer can would work just as well. :h
  • tenbear's avatar
    tenbear
    Explorer
    Mar 23, 2014
    sch911 wrote:
    One half of a bubble is my rule....


    I'm curious. Half a bubble means nothing to me. Is there only one type of "bubble" level? Would your half a bubble be the same as Fred Smith's half a bubble or Bill Jones' half a bubble?

    I guess I am asking if all "bubble" levels are created equal and what does half a bubble mean in degrees or inches out of level?
  • snowdance's avatar
    snowdance
    Explorer
    Mar 23, 2014
    nightshift wrote:
    1. Fill glass with Guinness to within 1/8" of rim.
    2. Place glass on table.
    3. If it doesn't spill, you're good!


    Do not carry glass. So we just put a can of beer on the table and if it does not fall off and we can walk around in comfort we are good.
  • tenbear's avatar
    tenbear
    Explorer
    Mar 23, 2014
    Here is what I use.
    I put these where I can see them from the drivers seat (I have a class C) and park where it is as level as I can find. One is for side to side level and the other for fore/aft level.

    One degree side to side would mean the wheels are about 1.4" off level.

    These supposedly show the inches you are out of level but that depends on your RV. I find that if it shows I am off by 1, it takes 1 2 x 10 to level the RV.

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