I have a Norcold 1200 series fridge in my trailer. Normally when connected to shore power, it operates just fine. It also works just fine on propane. Better actually, according to the remote thermometer that I installed.Normally when camping, connected to shore power, it's nice and cool inside the trailer, and when opening the fridge, the fridge air temp goes up a degree or two.I noticed when I loaded the fridge yesterday and the trailer interior was hot, the fridge temp went from 34* to 45* very quickly and took all night to come back down.I've never been dry camping before (going this weekend), and it might be hot inside the trailer causing a similar situation when using the fridge. Should this be an issue?Or since the thermometer is measuring the air temperature and not the food temperature, will it be OK?Any suggestions to maintain the cold when trailer air temps might be high?Sometimes I think that the thermometer I installed is just another thing to worry about :) . Just need to relax and go camping.

As long as it came down you should be alright. You likely had the door open for an extended period of time. To be sure leave it on propane for a day before you leave to see if it stays at the set temperature.

You need a thermometer that is immersed in water to be truly accurate in a fridge. You are correct that the air temp fluctuates much more than the food temp. At the very least, put the thermometer in the back somewhere.Freeze some bottles of water and stick in the fridge if you are concerned about fluctuating temps. They will act like "cold reservoirs" to help stabilize temps inside the fridge.

coolmom42 wrote:You need a thermometer that is immersed in water to be truly accurate in a fridge. You are correct that the air temp fluctuates much more than the food temp. At the very least, put the thermometer in the back somewhere.Freeze some bottles of water and stick in the fridge if you are concerned about fluctuating temps. They will act like "cold reservoirs" to help stabilize temps inside the fridge.Ding, ding, ding.......winner

Wishbone51 wrote:Any suggestions to maintain the cold when trailer air temps might be high?Park so the refer side is in the shade. Run air con.

Keeping fridge cold while dry camping | Good Sam Community

34 Replies

Wishbone51
Explorer
Aug 31, 2015
I hate being the fridge police, because it seems that my family always thinks I'm grumpy when I'm actually having a blast doing what I like to do the most. There are some things you just can't do in a trailer.. No feminine products in the toilet, no putting 10 bottles of warm water in the freezer to "make them cool quickly" ..

It's a fine line between the family having fun and not. So far, they like camping with me. :)
hawkeye-08
Explorer III
Aug 31, 2015
I had to have the chat mentioned above about getting in and out quick and standing there with the door open, trouble is, the child is my son-in-law (33) that has to have everything explained in detail and wants to debate once he has some internet time. After awhile, the answer was, pop is in the cooler outside, bathroom is across the way..
Wishbone51
Explorer
Aug 31, 2015
2gypsies wrote:
Wishbone: Where did you camp that you had to run the furnace in August? :)

I was at Swift Forest Campground, near Cougar, WA.

http://www.pacificorp.com/about/or/washington/sfc.html

Where I live (Newberg, OR), it was very hot that week, which was why I posted this thread.. my fridge struggles when the trailer is sitting in my driveway in the heat with no A/C on.

It turned out to be pretty cool weather and lots of shade. The trailer got down to 53* at night, so we set the thermostat to 63 and went back to sleep. I didn't think I needed to run it, and had no idea how long the battery would last for the fan. A couple of days later when we left, we still had 2/3 battery charge, according to the idiot lights.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Aug 30, 2015
Wishbone: Where did you camp that you had to run the furnace in August? :)
frizzen
Explorer
Aug 30, 2015
Scooter86 wrote:
One habit I have gotten into is to still bring a larger cooler for drinks when we don't have power and the Temps are hotter. You may spend a little on ice, but the drinks are nice and cold and readily available. Helps keep the fridge door shut. Plus you can have it outside where we spend most of our time any way.

x2

We do the same thing. Also have ice for other uses if needed.
JaxDad
Explorer III
Aug 30, 2015
2oldman wrote:
Wishbone51 wrote:
Any suggestions to maintain the cold when trailer air temps might be high?
Park so the refer side is in the shade. Run air con.

Considering this is a thread about dry camping the OP might need a VERY long extension cord to be able to run the A/C in his trailer.
jmcgsd
Explorer
Aug 30, 2015
Stefonius wrote:
I use my fridge on propane exclusively, even when camping with full hookups. It's MUCH more efficient at cooling on LP, and it barely uses any gas.

X2
wbwood
Explorer
Aug 28, 2015
You open the fridge to puit stuff in an the warm air in the trailer is obviously going to affect the inside. If you put stuff in the fridge that is not already col, then they will hinder the temp as well, such as bottled water, sodas, uncooled beer, etc.

I think the thermometer thing is probably messing your mind as well. Unless you are noticing cooling issues with your items, I wouldn't worry about one. We've never used a thermometer inside the fridge or an additional fan in the fridge. Never needed to as of yet.
Wishbone51
Explorer
Aug 27, 2015
jwmII wrote:
Minimize opening the door. Know what you are after before opening

the door. Get it and get out. If you have children along you will

need to chat with them about excessive trips into the fridge and why

they can't hold the door open while they look for something that they

didn't even know they were after.

The worst thing you can do is put a thermometer in the fridge. It

will make you nuts chasing around after temps that are probably

unattainable and that will never happen because you are opening the

door too often and letting all the cold air out while you are

checking the temperature.

Yep.. My kids ask me (Fridge Police) if they can open the door.. haha.

I have one of those remote thermometers where I can read the temps without opening the door. Not helpful reading air temps, though.
jwmII
Explorer
Aug 25, 2015
Wishbone51 wrote:
I have a Norcold 1200 series fridge in my trailer. Normally when connected to shore power, it operates just fine. It also works just fine on propane. Better actually, according to the remote thermometer that I installed.

Normally when camping, connected to shore power, it's nice and cool inside the trailer, and when opening the fridge, the fridge air temp goes up a degree or two.

I noticed when I loaded the fridge yesterday and the trailer interior was hot, the fridge temp went from 34* to 45* very quickly and took all night to come back down.

I've never been dry camping before (going this weekend), and it might be hot inside the trailer causing a similar situation when using the fridge. Should this be an issue?

Or since the thermometer is measuring the air temperature and not the food temperature, will it be OK?

Any suggestions to maintain the cold when trailer air temps might be high?

Sometimes I think that the thermometer I installed is just another thing to worry about :) . Just need to relax and go camping.

Minimize opening the door. Know what you are after before opening

the door. Get it and get out. If you have children along you will

need to chat with them about excessive trips into the fridge and why

they can't hold the door open while they look for something that they

didn't even know they were after.

The worst thing you can do is put a thermometer in the fridge. It

will make you nuts chasing around after temps that are probably

unattainable and that will never happen because you are opening the

door too often and letting all the cold air out while you are

checking the temperature.