Level RV Every Time I Park?

[careya123]

Should I level the RV every time I park? At the gas station, to pick up a few things at Walmart, to spend an hour at the mall?

I know it's important to be level so the fridge works, but isn't it unlevel for hours and hours while driving? So why doesn't that ruin the fridge?

Confused about leveling,
Carey

[ScottG]

All I could afford wrote:
I have a related question as a fairly new guy here. Is it just as critical to be level when I am plugged in and running on the 120 V refrigerator? I understand why when running on the flame it is important. But to me it seems like running on electricity it won't be quite as critical especially if only slightly off level

Yes, it's just as important.
FWIW, the flame isn't the critical part.
The movement of the refridgerant is caused by the heat source and the whole process is not very strong. Therefor if your too far out of level there isn't enough force to move the coolant around and the damage begins.

[All_I_could_aff]

I have a related question as a fairly new guy here. Is it just as critical to be level when I am plugged in and running on the 120 V refrigerator? I understand why when running on the flame it is important. But to me it seems like running on electricity it won't be quite as critical especially if only slightly off level

[ScottG]

A local cooling unit rebuilder told me that damage starts in as little as 15 minutes.
So if I'm going to be parked that long or more I just shut the fridge off until I get back.

[wclement1248]

I think the only thing the ARP solution will do is shut down the unit if it overheats. There will still be damage to the unit if it is operated when it is not level.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

Welcome to the forums.

Damage to the fridge can start in as little as 15 minutes. The damage is cumulative and irreversible.

I'm installing one of these to take care of the issue permanently. ARP I'm going with version 2.1 which includes fan control for the "chimney".

[Golden_HVAC]

The problem is that the boiler can run dry if you are to far off level and leave it running. While driving, normally the refrigerator is bouncing around enough to get the ammonia and water mixture back into the boiler.

Parked is another situation. So is driving slowly through a construction zone. One Rv. Net member had a fairly new RV, and took it on a 3 hour drive, with about 1 hour spent in stop and go traffic on a hill, due to repavement project. Once at the campground, the refrigerator did not work, so they wisely shut it off, and did not use it. Once back home, he plugged in and it worked perfectly, so he asked why?

Once the boiler is dry, any remaining ammonia can turn to powder, and clog the orifices. The drive back home with it off unclogged those orifices, and everything works fine now.

So yes it is best to shut it off while shopping for a few minutes, especially while buying fuel, (flame and gasoline vapors!) and through construction zones as well, if you will be stuck moving slowly for more than about 10 minutes.

Have fun camping!

Fred.

[downtheroad]

Real Rule #1.
Don't make RV'ing more complicated.

Get on down the road, you will be just fine.
Stop and smell the roses and no need to 'level' when you do.

[pitch]

Rule of thumb is 3 degrees out of level max. What is 3 degrees? If your camper is 8 feet wide, on side would need to be 5 inches lower than the other to reach 3 degrees. Length wise a 32 footer would need to be 20 inches off.
One half bubble on a level is about 1.5 degrees.

[ependydad]

I wish the switch to my fridge as as handy as you all make it out to be. It's one of the few things I'm not 100% happy with our camper- the minor challenge of getting to our fridge with the main slide in.

[Snowman9000]

If we park noticeably out of level, I shut off the fridge. I keep a plastic clothespin by the fridge, and when I shut it off like that, I clip the clothespin to my shift lever as a reminder to turn the fridge back on.

From what I remember reading, it doesn't take long for overheating to occur.

[dahkota]

If you are stopping for more than 4 hours and you must leave the fridge on, level the coach. If you can't get level in a temporary spot without taking wheels off the ground, turn off the fridge. It won't hurt the food if you don't open the door.

[valhalla360]

The bouncing around while driving takes care of the issue plus it would be rare to be at a significant angle for a long period of time.

If the parking lot is so sloped that it is uncomfortable to simply go in and move about, then it could be an issue but the simple solution is to turn the fridge off until you are ready to go. An hour or two with the door shut shouldn't be a problem.

[ChooChooMan74]

In my opinion, most parking lots are level enough that you don't have to worry. If you are really out of level, then I would just shut off the fridge for the hour or so that you're doing something.

As for driving, the motions of driving is helping to circulate the refrigerant. Unless you are going up a steep hill up for a very long time, the refrigerant keeps circulating.