I have a 5th wheel and no generator. It seems when it's a little windy while traveling my refrigerator pilot goes out and it's not cold when arriving at destination.Is there some solution you have to keep the pilot going while traveling.

The fridge pilot light on our TT used to blow out from time to time due to gusts of wind..especially fast passing trucks. I used a piece of foil to block off the vent near the pilot light. I stuffed the foil on the inside of the door into the vent nearest to the pilot light. The remaining vents were left unblocked. Once I arrived at my destination I would remove the foil.First make sure your pilot light is properly adjusted. The instruction manual will show the proper flame height and how to adjust it.

Is this in your 2001 5er?Are you sure it has a pilot light?Most rigs have an electronic spark system that actually turns the flame off and on. If you mean the system goes into "check" status, that means the flame dies not ignite for some reason.Most is caused by the ignitor not adjusted properly. Another cause is the metal heat shield is out of place or could be even missing.What is make and model of refer? Has it had recalls done, if listed?

I haven't had a refer with a pilot light since the 91 Fleetwood, the 99 Northwood had an auto-ignite refer.But back then, ya, it could blow out on the road.

I believe part of the "fix" on the Dometic recall was a larger wind deflector. I bought a 6X10 piece of metal flashing and cut it to fit. It blocks wind from the burner orifice and I have no more blow outs while driving. It may not have a pilot light but it would blow out the flame without it.

Like stated it is extremely unlikely that you have a pilot light. If the DSI isn't working correctly to keep the refrigerator lit, you need to service the burner assembly and chimney. When was the last time this annual maintenance item was performed?You did leave the LPG valve open, right?

Refrigerator goes out while traveling | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

Hamnet
Explorer
Jun 18, 2014
Dustyr, good idea, I will try that.
Dusty_R
Explorer
Jun 17, 2014
Many years ago my inlaws had a pick-up camper that had the same problem. My father-inlaw used a piece of furnace air filter to prevent drafts to the water heater, it let air in but prevented drafts that blew out the pilot.

Dusty
Hamnet
Explorer
Jun 17, 2014
My refrigerator is on the recall list. I take it in thursday for the recall fix and I am having them do a refirigerator service while it is in there. I think I will cover some of the exterior venting while I travel an see if that works.
beemerphile1
Explorer
Jun 17, 2014
ksg5000 wrote:
It's a problem you read on this forum all the time so "servicing the fridge" may not be the solution....

True, but it certainly should be the first step. When looking for solutions the first step is to make sure it is working as good as when it left the factory. Then you start making homebrew modifications.
ksg5000
Explorer II
Jun 17, 2014
It's a problem you read on this forum all the time so "servicing the fridge" may not be the solution. Try closing off a portion of the outside vents - probably won't take much to change the wind deflection. Just my 02.
old_guy
Explorer
Jun 16, 2014
why don't you just turn it off and put reusable freezer packs in the frig to keep things cold. we do and have no problem with keeping things cold
Hamnet
Explorer
Jun 16, 2014
Thanks everyone. You are probably right on the pilot light versus igniter. Now that I think a little more it is an igniter. I will look into all the responses you gave me. It has been a long time since service. I just put back in storage but will go get the info and look at the unit. I may need to continue this thread after getting more product info.
beemerphile1
Explorer
Jun 16, 2014
Like stated it is extremely unlikely that you have a pilot light. If the DSI isn't working correctly to keep the refrigerator lit, you need to service the burner assembly and chimney. When was the last time this annual maintenance item was performed?

You did leave the LPG valve open, right?
bob213
Explorer
Jun 16, 2014
I believe part of the "fix" on the Dometic recall was a larger wind deflector. I bought a 6X10 piece of metal flashing and cut it to fit. It blocks wind from the burner orifice and I have no more blow outs while driving. It may not have a pilot light but it would blow out the flame without it.
n7bsn
Explorer
Jun 16, 2014
I haven't had a refer with a pilot light since the 91 Fleetwood, the 99 Northwood had an auto-ignite refer.

But back then, ya, it could blow out on the road.