Is block ice OK in a trailer fridge

[rce]

Is it OK to travel with a large block of ice in a trailer fridge? (Camping without electricity scenario). Or would the ice be too heavy bouncing around inside the fridge? I guess I'm wanting to use the fridge like a cooler but afraid of breaking the "floor" of the fridge on rough roads.

2 door Dometec fridge in Surveyor ultralight

[dbarr]

My first trailer had an ice box. I'd put a 10 block in every 3 or 4 days but the tray it sat on drained to the outside.

[rce]

Originally Posted by dbarr

How are you going to drain the water?

Probably will find a large enough, strong enough plastic container to keep the ice, and water, in.

[SKnight]

I'd pad the floor with a couple of towels, but I suspect it might be OK. It really depends on how heavy a block of ice you carry.

[08flagvlite]

Your fridge should also run on gas. I don't see any way to use block ice in my fridge- just no room for it. Gas gets colder anyway in my fridge. And, like dbarr stated, the water puddling would be a problem.

[rce]

Originally Posted by dbarr

My first trailer had an ice box. I'd put a 10 block in every 3 or 4 days but the tray it sat on drained to the outside.

Blocks I'm used to probably at least 20 pounds.

[dbarr]

Run gas. By the time you get the ice in there you won't have room for beer.
I'd use an ice chest first before turning my fridge into one.

[rce]

Originally Posted by 08flagvlite

Your fridge should also run on gas. I don't see any way to use block ice in my fridge- just no room for it. Gas gets colder anyway in my fridge. And, like dbarr stated, the water puddling would be a problem.

Fridge is pretty large. Could run it on propane but won't that drain the battery? I have a pretty basic battery.

Could just bring a cooler or two along I suppose but would prefer to keep a block of ice going in the fridge ...and the beer of course.

[dbarr]

Originally Posted by rce

Blocks I'm used to probably at least 20 pounds.

oops...10lb block

[rce]

Maybe is not worth risking cracking the fridge floor with a 20 lb block bouncing around.

But if anyone has tried this would be nice to know results, good or bad!

[PhoneDude 8289]

Dry ice is very cold, nothing to drain, no water worries. Before I did that tho I would use gas. My cousin came by a few years ago with a broke down fridge, we got a block of dry ice and it got him back to California where he ended up with a new fridge.

[caper]

You will have a mess inside of the TT when the ice melts. I would freeze juice containers and any other liquids you will be taking. When the items do melt you could then change over to gas.

[Herk7769]

You are going to need that battery anyway.

Better to not use it at all (except for maybe dry storage) and use ice chests.

The only drain is under the fins and drains to outside (make sure you can see the drain hose from outside the camper's vents. Mine was still tied to the fridge and I could not figure out where all the water was coming from.
(Grrrr so called dealer bit me again).

[Oakman]

For a block of ice to be effective in keeping food cold it needs to be placed higher than the food because cold air sinks. Ice boxes of old had the ice block on top as did the “ice box” in our early 70’s Jayco pop up.

There is no way I would put a 10 lb. block of ice in my refrigerator. It's not an ice box.

[Weezer]

Originally Posted by caper

You will have a mess inside of the TT when the ice melts. I would freeze juice containers and any other liquids you will be taking. When the items do melt you could then change over to gas.

X2 My immediate concern was the melting. IF I was going to do this I'd use empty one gallon milk jugs. Fill with water and freeze them with the caps off, for expansion. Then cap and place them in the fridge.

[B and B]

The propane option is best. As far as draining and charging your battery you could just use your TV to charge every couple days. The amount of power used fro the fridge electronics is not that much 1 amp to 1.3 amps according to Expedition Portal conversation.

Brian

[AquaMan]

Seems like a waste and a big headache for such an inefficient use of ice. Either use the fridge as intended (gas/AC), or put the ice in a cooler with food/beverages, you will be better off.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by AquaMan

Seems like a waste and a big headache for such an inefficient use of ice. Either use the fridge as intended (gas/AC), or put the ice in a cooler with food/beverages, you will be better off.

I agree

[itat]

X3

We always bring along an large cooler for drinks for the kids that sits outside the trailer. It's very well insulated but we still have to get new ice every 2-3 days.

[youroo]

Originally Posted by dbarr

Run gas. By the time you get the ice in there you won't have room for beer.
I'd use an ice chest first before turning my fridge into one.

This is the way I would go! I don't care how (Big) your R/V frige is,a 20# block of Ice is a LARGE item to carry,and if you place it in a (Container) to catch the Water,its even Larger! Get another Battery,its Smaller than the (Block of Ice) and it will Not melt,and run the Refer on Propane! Youroo!!