How level does a fridge have to be?

Been using the 'half a bubble' criterion for many years.

As Walter Cronkite famous news anchor would just say "Thats the way it is". Of course that has been more recently trumped by one of our still living Presidents "It depends on what the meaning of the word 'is' is."

Roy Ken

I'm not anal about perfectly level. But I keep kept mine within half a bubble measured from the freezer and it lasted 23 years.

Bubble between the lines? Which lines? This stupid RV doesn't have a bubble level. I guess the factory assumed that as soon as you park it you will instantaneously put the automatic leveling jacks down. Having seen this 16-ton motorhome punch the jacks through asphalt paving, I'm leery to use them when I'm not actually camping.

I saw those same numbers in the Norcold owner's manual that someone else quoted. However, I've been on roads with steeper grades than that. Does that mean my fridge will die as soon as I drive up a hill with the fridge running?

SubVet wrote:
My Norcold manual says it is made to operate within 3 degrees side-to-side and 6 degrees front-back.

Same with mine.

Dick_B wrote:
The latest refers require a `comfortable' level ie. if it feels good to you then it's OK with the refrigerator.

That's "manufacturer speak" for we WILL get to sell you another fridge must faster..

Level IS LEVEL, not "comfort", just because YOU may feel "comfortable" doesn't mean it is good or BEST for the operation AND LIFE of the fridge.

Level is BUBBLE BETWEEN THE LINES.

Anything else WILL slow down the movement of the ammonia solution.

Anytime the ammonia solution is slowed down the BOILER GETS STARVED.

Anytime the boiler gets starved, it OVER HEATS.

Anytime the boiler overheats the ammonia solution CRYSTALLIZES.

Anytime the ammonia solution crystallizes you get blockage.

Anytime you get blockage it is PERMANENT.

On top of that is anytime the boiler overheats you get the potential of said boiler CRACKING.

Anytime the boiler cracks you have the potential for FIRE.

Dick, it isn't the manufacturers fridge once it is outside the warranty, it isn't your fridge either.. No, it is someone else's fridge and they will be the one that will have to make the decision to replace the fridge or rebuild it when the cooling unit fails.

These "newer" fridges DO NOT LAST AS LONG AS THE "OLDER" ones do, perhaps it has something to do with the "feels comfortable" statement?

OP, your fridge is telling you that it is not happy, LISTEN TO IT.

Level your trailer (use a 2x10 or two under the low side wheels) when you park it. Level out the tongue as best as possible.

Try to shoot for no more than half the level bubble outside the lines (less bubble outside is BETTER and fully within the lines IS BEST).

Otherwise don't bother precooling your fridge, instead start it when ready to pull out. As long as you put in precooled food and may be several bottles of FROZEN WATER (several 1/2 gallon or even a handful of 20 oz bottled water that has been frozen) in the fridge section it will cool down pretty fast and you will be good to go.

My Norcold manual says it is made to operate within 3 degrees side-to-side and 6 degrees front-back.

My fridge in my OFF-ROAD POPUP camper is pretty level from side to side when we setup camp otherwise I can't open the POPUP door to get inside haha... I usually have my trailer tilted front to back by about 2-inches or so so that the roof run off water always goes to the back side of the trailer and not pour down in the front patio area.

Seems to work out good for us???

Roy Ken

The latest refers require a `comfortable' level ie. if it feels good to you then it's OK with the refrigerator.