Keeping Things Cold on the Road
Interested to know how long things in refrigerator stay cold while traveling and if anything in the freezer thaws out if we're on, say, an 8 hour road day. Just bought a TT and haven't used it yet.
Forum Discussion
wrenchbender wrote:
FYI I have Gone 8hrs on a trip from PHX to Mexico in 80 degree temps with the reefer off.Upon arrival the ice in the freezer was still frozen and the lower box temp was 42 upon arrival.(I forgot to open the gas valve).Its legal to tow with the gas on and operate the fridge.Just do not try to ride a ferry with it on.
Fyi
Ice will stay frozen at 32 degrees. But the quality of some foods will degrade at that temp. Ice cream will vet soft and expand forming ice crystals,which will feel like sand in your mouth. 42 in the fridge is getting warm. Some areas of the fridge are likely too warm.
Trying to keep a fridge cool with a few ice packs will not work very well. One would need a LOT of ice, and dry ice in the freezer
A fridge is not designed to be a cooler and a cooler is not designed to be a fridge.
Both will work best when used as designed.
