Fridge On or Off Traveling Up & Down Mountains

[EGRJR]

Hello,

I recently read an article that stated you should turn off your fridge during your travels up and down mountains to avoid damaging your fridge since it will not be level for a period of time.

What are your thoughts and practices for those of you traveling through mountain areas in your MH?

Thanks.

Eugene

[Chuck_S]

Complete nonsense.

-- Chuck

[bubbles]

LP/electric in my MH and excerpt from owners manual:

"When the vehicle is moving, the leveling is not critical, as
the rolling and pitching movement of the vehicle will pass
to either side of level, keeping the liquid ammonia from accumulating in the evaporator tubing".

[EGRJR]

Thanks for the reply. I've had TTs and never was concerned about the fridge being on/off when traveling up/down mountains, but this recent article I read made it sound like it was more serious having them on.

Thanks,

Eugene

[Iowa City Fix It]

Bubbles, thanks for the info. Good to know.

[NXR]

As usual, it depends. If you're driving up a mountain for an hour and there are no level spots at all, non, zero, you might be better off turning the fridge off. Just remember to turn it back on...

I've never driven up a mountain so I do not know if that is a common road condition.

I know the ARP Fridge Defend add-on says that device monitors the temps and will shut the boiler off going up a steep hill if the temp gets too high and turns it back on once temps drop.

Ray

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by EGRJR

Hello,

I recently read an article that stated you should turn off your fridge during your travels up and down mountains to avoid damaging your fridge since it will not be level for a period of time.

What are your thoughts and practices for those of you traveling through mountain areas in your MH?

Thanks.

Eugene

complete BS, never had a problem in 20 years, people come up with more dos and don’t then I have ever read before, that’s my last worry

[dmctlc]

Originally Posted by Witch Doctor

complete BS, never had a problem in 20 years, people come up with more dos and don’t then I have ever read before, that’s my last worry

I agree and it's been 40+ yrs. for me

[Dirt Sifter]

Never an issue here and we live in and travel thru mountains any time we leave home. What hog wash.

[bedubya]

Originally Posted by bubbles

LP/electric in my MH and excerpt from owners manual:

"When the vehicle is moving, the leveling is not critical, as
the rolling and pitching movement of the vehicle will pass
to either side of level, keeping the liquid ammonia from accumulating in the evaporator tubing".

So, if you pulled off to the side on a 6% grade, you might want to consider turning it off if you won't be moving for a while.

[bubbles]

Originally Posted by bedubya

So, if you pulled off to the side on a 6% grade, you might want to consider turning it off if you won't be moving for a while.

Any issue caused by the fridge not being within level specs is not an instantaneous happening. I'm not camping on any grade that exceeds my leveler's extension's. I've stopped on many a lookout point in the Rockies and the Sierra's in a motorhome where some grades are greater than 6% while traversing a mountain pass for snack's and never encountered an issue in 20 years.

[dahagen]

Colorado and Idaho resident and travel and live above 5000 feet. Never had a problem with the refer on.

[dmctlc]

I'd be really interested to hear from anyone out there that has had issues with the Fridge after traversing up and down some steep grades meaning say >6% grades. I would suspect older RVs/Fridges would be more sensitive to this especially if it's gone through it multiple times because of the older equipment. How I understand it is the rational behind keeping it level is to allow the gases to flow within the coils so the heating element doesn't overheat. Today's some refrigerators have an automatic shut offs if this occurs and the only way you'd know if yours has it is to look it up in the manual or on-line. Me, I'll check it out once my MH comes back from the dealer having warranty work done.

[mike.t]

Depends, do you like cold beer?

[bedubya]

Originally Posted by bubbles

Any issue caused by the fridge not being within level specs is not an instantaneous happening. I'm not camping on any grade that exceeds my leveler's extension's. I've stopped on many a lookout point in the Rockies and the Sierra's in a motorhome where some grades are greater than 6% while traversing a mountain pass for snack's and never encountered an issue in 20 years.

I was half kidding. But I also meant actually stopping on the side of the road where you are still on a steep grade, as in a breakdown. Most lookouts and rest areas I have seen over the years are close to level.

[JimMorrell]

Since 1974, I have never turned off my fridge while traveling. Most all my travels have been either in the Sierra Nevada or the north California Coast Range.

[almcguire]

Bull feathers , the refer would have to un level for over 1 hour.

[Winddancer]

This topic got me thinking, do you all normally turn your fridge off when powering with porpane at fuel stations???

[TheWolfPaq82]

Since the 80's....NOT an issue.

[mike.t]

Originally Posted by Winddancer

This topic got me thinking, do you all normally turn your fridge off when powering with porpane at fuel stations???

They say you should, don't ever remember reading/hearing about about any explosions,fireballs ect when someone did not. Probably a CYA by the manufacture and fuel stations in case of a mishap.