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ptruesdall's avatar
ptruesdall
Explorer
May 28, 2016

Residential Refrigerator tip over

During a test drive when turning left the residential regrigerator began tipping over and consequently pulled the wall apart. After reading about the installation of the refrigerator I noted that a certain amount of space must be kept open on all sides and the back. I was however wondering if anyone else experienced this and I consider it a major safety issue and do not understand why there aren't, perhaps straps on the top to the ceiling or back to hold this in and prevent this exact problem. Thankfully it was empty because I formly believe had there been any weight inside it would have continued to tip resulting in hitting the granite kitchen counter and stove. I am very concerned about this happening again. I did write to the manufacturer immediately but again wanted to know if anyone else has had this happen. Just another day in the life of
Class A
  • Dutch_12078's avatar
    Dutch_12078
    Explorer II
    May 28, 2016
    Kayteg1 wrote:
    Fridge mounted on Friday before long weekend?
    Residential refrigerators don't have top, nor side brackets for mounting, but do have strong floor frame where you can drill holes for bolts.
    I still think a piece of Styrofoam wedged on the top would be good idea.

    Hardware stores sell 'L' brackets that work quite well for anchoring the top of a fridge installed in an RV. I used the original Norcold bracket to anchor the bottom rear, but 'L' brackets would have worked well there also.
  • dons2346's avatar
    dons2346
    Explorer
    May 28, 2016
    mike brez wrote:
    bsinmich wrote:
    What kind of MH did this happen in?


    I'm going to take a shot in the dark and say it's a

    2016 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER 38Q


    Looks like a winner,winner,chicken dinner answer
  • Kayteg1's avatar
    Kayteg1
    Explorer II
    May 28, 2016
    Fridge mounted on Friday before long weekend?
    Residential refrigerators don't have top, nor side brackets for mounting, but do have strong floor frame where you can drill holes for bolts.
    I still think a piece of Styrofoam wedged on the top would be good idea.
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    May 28, 2016
    Brand new coach, from dealer lot
    Factory defect, somebody on the assembly line forgot to bolt it down
    Private party, they changed it out and front to fasten it down
  • smlranger's avatar
    smlranger
    Explorer
    May 28, 2016
    This same type of event was recently reported by the owner of a new Winnebago Adventurer on IRV2.com forum. It did cause damage to other things in the coach.

    So, if this is not the same coach then yes, it has happened. We had our Norcold removed from our previous coach and had it replaced with a residential fridge. It is a no brainer that the fridge has to be securely anchored at top and bottom. It is not hard to do.
  • mike_brez's avatar
    mike_brez
    Explorer
    May 28, 2016
    bsinmich wrote:
    What kind of MH did this happen in?


    I'm going to take a shot in the dark and say it's a

    2016 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER 38Q
  • Dutch_12078's avatar
    Dutch_12078
    Explorer II
    May 28, 2016
    When I installed my residential fridge to replace the failing RV fridge, I anchored it top and bottom. The minimum side, top, and bottom clearances in a standard residential kitchen installation are to insure adequate ventilation for the rear or bottom coils and compressor. In an RV replacement installation with the normal rear venting in place for an absorption fridge, those clearances are not needed. My fridge has zero clearance on the sides, and the small top and bottom clearances are blocked on the inside of the coach with wood trim.
  • harold1946's avatar
    harold1946
    Explorer
    May 28, 2016
    Assuming this is a new Rv, it should be covered under the warranty. Someone neglected to properly install the refrigerator. This is the first one I have heard of.

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