Had a weird thought this morning... I know TT needs to be level in order for fridge to work properly. However, if that's not an option, I wonder if it's better if TT was unlevel side to side or front to back for ammonia to be "happier" in the pipes. Anyone care to take a stab at guessing or does anyone know? :)(Mods, tried to move to Tech where it may be a better fit; please feel free to do so)

If the rig is comfortable to move around, then it is good to use.My thinking side to side would be better if the refer is on a side of the rig so cooling unit is parallel to the rig.

If my trailer is sitting still and not moving but isn't fairly level the answer is simple - the fridge is OFF, period. Following this procedure I've never had a gas absorption fridge failure in 20 yrs - better safe than $$$$ sorry. ;)

I have had campers for most of my life and I really don't understand why there's so much focus on this. Just run it!

Check your fridge make/model and look up the manual online or contact the manufacturer for max. out of level degrees. Don't know what fridge you have but our Norcold is designed to operate up to 6 degrees out of level front to back and 3 degrees side to side. Older fridges can't be out of level as much. For a fridge oriented against a side wall, 6 degrees is quite a bit and an 8' wide TT one side would be 10" lower on one side. A 30' long trailer with fridge in same orientation would be 18" lower at one end.An out of level trailer can be a challenge to sleep in!

That's like asking if it would be better to be shot or hung. Pick your poison, there both going to eventually kill your refrigerator.

Best way to run fridge while not level | Good Sam Community

enblethen
Nomad
Apr 23, 2019
If the rig is comfortable to move around, then it is good to use.
My thinking side to side would be better if the refer is on a side of the rig so cooling unit is parallel to the rig.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Apr 23, 2019
If my trailer is sitting still and not moving but isn't fairly level the answer is simple - the fridge is OFF, period. Following this procedure I've never had a gas absorption fridge failure in 20 yrs - better safe than $$$$ sorry. ;)
twodownzero
Explorer
Apr 23, 2019
I have had campers for most of my life and I really don't understand why there's so much focus on this. Just run it!
myredracer
Explorer II
Apr 23, 2019
Check your fridge make/model and look up the manual online or contact the manufacturer for max. out of level degrees. Don't know what fridge you have but our Norcold is designed to operate up to 6 degrees out of level front to back and 3 degrees side to side. Older fridges can't be out of level as much.

For a fridge oriented against a side wall, 6 degrees is quite a bit and an 8' wide TT one side would be 10" lower on one side. A 30' long trailer with fridge in same orientation would be 18" lower at one end.

An out of level trailer can be a challenge to sleep in!
nickthehunter
Nomad II
Apr 23, 2019
That's like asking if it would be better to be shot or hung. Pick your poison, there both going to eventually kill your refrigerator.
crazyro
Explorer
Apr 23, 2019
myredracer wrote:
Check your fridge make/model and look up the manual online or contact the manufacturer for max. out of level degrees. Don't know what fridge you have but our Norcold is designed to operate up to 6 degrees out of level front to back and 3 degrees side to side. Older fridges can't be out of level as much.

For a fridge oriented against a side wall, 6 degrees is quite a bit and an 8' wide TT one side would be 10" lower on one side. A 30' long trailer with fridge in same orientation would be 18" lower at one end.

An out of level trailer can be a challenge to sleep in!

This seems to be the major consensus out there. Front to back leveling is more important than side-to-side (speaking TT here and not the fridge unit).

My thought was in heavy rain, would I be better off with a little lean side to side or front to back to drain off the water better. I guess I'll do half to one degree at most side to side.
Lynnmor
Explorer
Apr 23, 2019
If you have a smartphone, there are free level apps showing degrees.
old_guy
Explorer
Apr 23, 2019
if you are a half bubble off you are good to go. but in saying that it is best to be the half bubble off front to back then side to side. the tubes run front to back in the back of the fridge so that is the logical way to be off a half bubble
Lynnmor
Explorer
Apr 23, 2019
There are no standareds for a bubble or half a bubble.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Apr 23, 2019
If fridge is on roadside...then absorber tubes run front to back with downward slope

If fridge is on curbside ...then absorber tubes run back to front with downward slope

Best to be 'comfortably level'...meaning you can walk up/down RV, lay in bed, cook etc comfortably

20 minutes off level operation is all the time needed to being the death spiral....gravity flow of coolant gets disrupted, overheating of coolant occurs, crystals are formed & plate out on inside of tubing, which leads to more obstruction/more overheating/more crystals/more plating out------accumulative and permanent damage until DEATH!