Any issues on gas or electric when outside temp is below feeezing

How far below freezing?30s overnight no probsConsistent 20s at night and 30s during the day it's time to block vents and install a light bulb near the back of the unit

I've camped down to 12 degrees at night with highs below freezin with no ill effects on my RV fridge. Maintains the temp it was set for and works fine.

We've never had issues camping in cold weather with our Norcold. That said, once the temps get to the teens, we stay home as that's pretty much where the RV stops being comfortable inside. While the furnace will keep the temp OK, you can just feel the cold near the walls and windows and it starts being a real chore to keep the water/sewer working right. If we're not comfortable, camping stops being fun!

A few nights Dec16 / Jan17 at -36. Dometic model 3962? - trailer connected to shore power at the time. Fridge kep on working normally.Continuous living in those temps I would maybe find a porous non combustible material to pad the vent door to reduce the direct icy blast of air during an OMG Polar Vortex Event / Warning / Advisory.Had to put a little electric cube heater by the propane cylinders and throw an old blankie over them to keep the propane boiling.

I lived 2 winters in my TT in Alberta.In the minus 20's for weeks on end the refer was ok. Had a few issues when it got to about minus 33 C. I had to block the bottom air intake and put a 100W light bulb in the back to warm up the back of the fridge to keep it running.Also had to put a heating pad in with my propane bottles to keep enough flow to run stuff, especially the furnace.At a few degrees below freezing your fridge is absolutely a non issue. Don't even think or worry about it.

Using fridge in feezing temps | Good Sam Community

wa8yxm
Explorer III
Mar 16, 2019
On some fridges you will find a switch or two.. May have to look for 'em they will be at the top of one of the doors (not sure which without getting up an dlooking)

One may be marked "Enviormental" or something to that effect. Turns on a heater that is along the door seal to cut down on moisture around the seal area.

The other (if you have two) is often marked LAT (Low Ambient Temp)

YOu know the old question kids ask "Does the light in the refrigerator go out when the door is closed?" (normally yes it does but if the LAT switch is on it does not)

The heat of the light bulb makes it work better.. Won't work with LED lights though.
Dutch_12078
Explorer II
Mar 15, 2019
CavemanCharlie wrote:
I am just a weekend camper. The few times I have camped in weather below 35 degrees I figure why do I even need to run the fridge ??? I just set a cooler out side of the camper door with my fridge stuff in it and a small bag of ice in it too.

In a lot of the parks we visit, the raccoons or bears would dine on everything in your cooler the first night. Including the cooler itself... ;)
shum02
Explorer
Mar 15, 2019
sorry, should have read the whole post.
shum02
Explorer
Mar 15, 2019
deleted
GordonThree
Explorer
Mar 15, 2019
hey, so, reviving an old thread or should I start a new one?

Now my fridge is "acting up" in cold weather. It's around 32f outside now, last night it was down to 25f ... the coach heat is on low, 55f inside

Turned my fridge on last night, on AC. I have the outside vents 2/3 blocked, there is no roof vent just an upper and lower side vent. Loading food this morning, the fridge is at 25f and so is the freezer! I normally aim for 35-38f in the fridge and 5f or so in the freezer.

Thermostat on the fridge is set to 4 of 9 with 9 being the coldest.

Maybe just some spring cobwebs that will clear up? Fridge was working fine when shut down mid-January 2019.
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Oct 30, 2018
I am just a weekend camper. The few times I have camped in weather below 35 degrees I figure why do I even need to run the fridge ??? I just set a cooler out side of the camper door with my fridge stuff in it and a small bag of ice in it too.
Padlin
Explorer
Oct 27, 2018
May well depend on the fridge and or trailer.

The last couple winters heading south in Jan, traveling with temps well below freezing. The fridge stayed cold due to the low outside temps, causing no demand for cooling so the freezer temp rose towards the fridge temp, high 20's or low 30's. If I opened the fridge door (double door unit) the temp inside rose enough to cause the fridge to run and drop the freezer temp. I've had it suggested to put a small light bulb or hot water bottle of some sort under the thermister to cause the same effect.
memtb
Explorer
Oct 22, 2018
We went thru two Wyoming winters, living in our 5th wheel, with numerous -30 F ( or slightly colder).....no special provisions made and no problems with the fridge!
Dennis12
Explorer
Oct 21, 2018
As long as there is some heat in the camper you should have no problem. If not like was said above install a light bulb near the back of the unit. There is a receptacle in there for that.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Oct 21, 2018
There is a wonderful thread on winter camping in the full time forum. Norcold does have a cold weather kit that can be added.

I use a thermocube and a 60 watt bulb and do restrict the air flow in the worst part of the winter.

An ounce of protection is worth a pound of cure.