Leave on Fridge?

[cccougar]

When storing for the winter, if you can plug into power, is it best to leave fridge on? I thought I read somewhere that when left off for long periods of time, there are chemicals in cooling packs that become separated. Leaving on can keep it going for 15 years instead of 5 if turned off and on constantly. Any truth?

[korbe]

Ours gets turned off and doors propped open each time we get home from our many campin trips throughout the season. I have yet to hear any arguments to the contrary that make any sense.

[crasster]

We leave it on. The fridges seem to like it better.

[Happily_Retired]

Our motorhome stays plugged in to power at home, and our RV tech, who we really trust, says refrigerator needs to stay on. So it does!!!

[Gonzo42]

Ours runs on both propane and electricity and shifts automatically. We actually leave ours on since we have the MH plugged into our home supply, not using propane.

Its convenient as an extra reefer for a few items. I believe these are good quality units that should last for many years.

[BobsYourUncle]

I have an RV fridge in the garage of my stick and bricks.

It has been running 24/7/365 for about 10 years now.
It is still running perfect.

I did have to defrost it last year though.

[kalynzoo]

We live in Southern California where the daytime temp in the MH in the summer can exceed 100 when it is stored next to the house. Therefore the MH is plugged in during storage and the frig is always on. I think this is better for the door seals. JMHO

[Old-Biscuit]

It's a game of craps.......toss the dice and hope.

Many have had no problems turning them ON/OFF
Many have had no problems leaving them ON

Operating them off level........that is what I believe causes the majority of problems. ff level operation disrupts the designed gravity flow, causes overheating, causing plating inside the tubes like plague build up in an artery until it causes blockage.
Off level operation causes a little bit of damage each time..it is accumulative and irreversible

So whether you choose to turn ON/OFF or leaving running.......do so with a level rig each and every time
(ON when traveling is not an off-level condition.....bouncing/rocking doesn't disrupt the natural design flow)

Our current 5vr fridge has been ON for 7 yrs. (Full Timed)
Previous trailer.......fridge was turned ON/OFF 1985 thru 2004

[ScottG]

I turn mine on in the spring and off at the end of the camping season. It's ten+ years old now. I think leaving it on all winter when not in use is a waste.
FWIW, when in use during the summer it uses about $6 a month at home.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

It will go through about 5 kwh per day. In a month that works out to about $18.00. I turn mine off.

[dbbls]

Full timers rarely have trouble with the fridge. Leave it on.

[BillyandKris]

I had heard that with a residential one, but not sure if true. Surely not true for RV refrigerator ???? Will be interesting to see answers here.