How level for refrigerator?

[bikerdib]

This is my first camper of any type. I've always done a tent thing when camping. I did a search but couldn't find an answer to my question. Like the subject says, how level do you have to make the camper to run the refrigerator? Say one rear tire is 3 inches lower than the other, is that too much tilt? Which is more critical, side to side or front to rear or is it the same for both directions?

[bikerdib]

I thought about doing something similar with the wood blocks. Great idea using the carriage bolts as dowels. I'd cut more of an angle though to help climbing on. Home made wood blocks will be more durable and much cheaper but a little heavier. I really need to build a front receiver hitch so I can put one of the carriers on the front of the truck.

[wnjj]

bikerdib wrote:
Do most of you use the plastic blocks sold at RV stores to level a rig?

I use homemade 2x8 blocks.

[rfryer]

bikerdib wrote:
Do most of you use the plastic blocks sold at RV stores to level a rig?

I use them, too. But I don't often camp on pavement and I've had some break from being on rough ground.So I cut a plywood square about the same size and waterproofed it. I use it as the bottom support for the plastic blocks.

[wnjj]

fla-gypsy wrote:
Eyeball level will work

I find I can get very close by just standing back and looking. Another fast method is to open the rear door and/or fridge door halfway and see if they move on their own.

[Mello_Mike]

bikerdib wrote:
Do most of you use the plastic blocks sold at RV stores to level a rig?

Yes, that's what I use. If you decide to go that route don't forget to pick them up when you're done camping. I've almost forgot my blocks on a couple of occasions.

[bedrocker]

I put round bubble in fridge get as near prefect within a half of bubble
and call it miller time ! 🙂

[fla-gypsy]

Eyeball level will work

[bikerdib]

Thanks everyone. I have a small bubble type level that came with my flat screen TV I installed so I'm going to be carrying that to level the rig. Do most of you use the plastic blocks sold at RV stores to level a rig?

[mooring_product]

This is the first time I got a warning buzzer. It was flashing OP I believe. I later moved to the road and it worked fine.


2013 NewYork Canada trip part two by MooringProduct, on Flickr

[tuna_fisher]

Older rigs have to be closer to level.I have a 95 Lance and belive me it's got to be level if it gets near 100.It's easy so no excuse to not to be.

[sabconsulting]

wnjj wrote:

6pac wrote:
TC has to be level if using gas ref . If using AC voltage not so much...

The fridge doesn't care what the heat source is. It needs to be close to level on gas or AC. The reason is the coolant circulates by gravity through a spiral tube set. It can't flow uphill.

Correct. You should have a lower vent panel outside the camper behind where the fridge is. If you open that you should see the tubes the coolant circulates in. If you look at the picture of the back of my old fridge you can see them (2nd picture):

My fridge replacement project

You can see how that flattened coil of pipe makes 5 loops around and the coolant has to be able to flow down those. As you can see from the picture it wouldn't take much angle at all to cause liquid to pool at the downhill side of the coils. Since the fridge is mounted facing across the camper and the coils are therefore arranged fore-aft I suspect that it would be more tolerant of side-to-side slopes when parked than fore-aft slopes.

Steve.

[rfryer]

It doesn’t have to be perfectly level, but close. I put a level in my freezer and got it perfect. Then I glued a couple of bubble levels on the front and side of my TT to match. After that I just use the bubble levels to set up and I’m satisfied if I get within half a bubble. Seems to work, my original frig lasted 22 years.

[Sandia_Man]

Newer model fridges are a bit more tolerant than the older versions, we level our rig for comfort purposes anyway and we're pretty close to level in all directions. The more often you operate the fridge out of level, the quicker the possibility of eventual clogging and failure. Less critical traveling down the road as the mixture continues to flow due to the constant movement. Our Dometic has performed flawlessly over the last 6 years no matter the outdoor temps and we believe keeping it level has contributed to it's consistent performance.

[ScottG]

The more level, the longer it will last and the better it will work when it gets very hot out.

[PapPappy]

brholt wrote:
My manual says 6 degrees front to back (refrigerator front) and 3 degrees side to side. That is a pretty big range.

And more than that, and you'll be falling out of bed anyway! Not to mention having those beers sliding off the table:E