Best fridge lock solution!

johndjmix · 06-29-2022, 10:44 PM

Many of you know I’ve been developing my own fridge locking system so the doors don’t open during travel. A few months ago, although I had an awesome working prototype I tried these and found there is no need for anything more complex! These work perfectly!!!!

https://www.buybuybaby.com/store/pro...ock/1041913987

theHookers · 06-30-2022, 12:19 AM

We put one of those on our oven door to stop it from opening while traveling.

We use a nylon strap and buckle set for the fridge.

Glad it’s working for you!!!

Webefine · 06-30-2022, 01:02 AM

We’ve been using the Fridge Fixer for about 5 years, still working great!

Phreak480 · 06-30-2022, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johndjmix

Many of you know I’ve been developing my own fridge locking system so the doors don’t open during travel. A few months ago, although I had an awesome working prototype I tried these and found there is no need for anything more complex! These work perfectly!!!!

https://www.buybuybaby.com/store/pro...ock/1041913987

multi pack on amazon https://www.amazon.com/Safety-1st-Mu...ps%2C44&sr=8-2

Travler · 06-30-2022, 08:05 AM

[QUOTE We’ve been using the Fridge Fixer for about 5 years, still working great!]

^ X2
We've also been using it for about 5 years and love it. Best solution I have see so far.

MoJoe1003 · 06-30-2022, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Webefine

We’ve been using the Fridge Fixer for about 5 years, still working great!

Fridge Fixer is a simple easy solution that just works. My new coach doesn’t require one due to change made by Dynamax, but I had one on my 2018 for almost 3 years and it worked perfectly.

lckspt · 06-30-2022, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johndjmix

Many of you know I’ve been developing my own fridge locking system so the doors don’t open during travel. A few months ago, although I had an awesome working prototype I tried these and found there is no need for anything more complex! These work perfectly!!!!

https://www.buybuybaby.com/store/pro...ock/1041913987

I made a simple 2 piece lock for our 4 door fridge out of an old cutting board. Took me 10 minutes with my saber saw.

lckspt · 06-30-2022, 02:26 PM

Built a simple two piece lock from an old cutting board. 10 minutes with my saber saw. Easy to install and remove, robust and simple.

Magdeep · 07-01-2022, 05:41 AM

Never heard of this issue. Just make sure the refrigerator door latches. Have towed my trailer 50,000+miles this has never happened.

Phreak480 · 07-01-2022, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magdeep

Never heard of this issue. Just make sure the refrigerator door latches. Have towed my trailer 50,000+miles this has never happened.

Residential fridges don't have latches.

Magdeep · 07-01-2022, 08:47 AM

The Dometic fridge in my trailer has a latch. Probably why it stays closed.

Chuck_S · 07-01-2022, 09:13 AM

+1

Seems this is a motorhome problem?

-- Chuck

**bclemens** · 07-01-2022, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck_S

+1

Seems this is a motorhome problem?

-- Chuck

residential fridge problem. Though I guess if you have a 5th wheel and ALL the slides are in, you can't often access the fridge as it is nicely wedged in with a slide. So, maybe it is just a motorhome problem, where access to the fridge in transit is a normal thing.

NMWildcat · 07-01-2022, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck_S

+1

Seems this is a motorhome problem?

-- Chuck

Nope, just a residential refrigerator in any RV problem. They were never designed to be used in an RV as the many problems with them demonstrate.

**bclemens** · 07-01-2022, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

Nope, just a residential refrigerator in any RV problem. They were never designed to be used in an RV as the many problems with them demonstrate.

other than making sure the door stays shut, we have very few problems with residential fridges.

GE and Samsung both have RV divisions. They allow them to be worked on in an RV (as opposed to other brands that require them to be OUT of the RV).

I hear problems with RV fridges, I hear problems with residential fridges. I would say the incident rate is about the same % wise.

They both have pros and cons.

NMWildcat · 07-01-2022, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bclemens

other than making sure the door stays shut, we have very few problems with residential fridges.

GE and Samsung both have RV divisions. They allow them to be worked on in an RV (as opposed to other brands that require them to be OUT of the RV).

I hear problems with RV fridges, I hear problems with residential fridges. I would say the incident rate is about the same % wise.

They both have pros and cons.

I usually agree with everything you post, but not this time.
120v refrigerators are only beneficial for those who NEVER boondock, drycamp, off grid, whatever you want to call it. So they only appeal to a subset of RVers.
I feel they started being used mainly as they are much cheaper than the standard 2 ways.
As mentioned, they are just not feasible for extended boondocking, even if you have massive amounts of solar and battery. Some have problems having enough battery power to last through a long travel day!
If and when they need to be replaced, most will not fit out the door, so a slide or window needs to be removed. It is encouraging that some are being designed to repaired in place, although most RV shops will not touch them and you have to use an appliance repairman, and some of those will not mess with one in an RV.
Everyone seems to have problems with doors as they do not lock for use while traveling, which tells me the designers still need to make some changes for Rvs.
On the plus side, they usually have more refridgerated and freezer space and the freezer will freeze your ice cream harder.
And yes, I agree, every type of refridgerator used in RVs has their own problems and benefits, but having a refridgerator that only runs on 120v seems to be a limiting factor to those who want to use their RV with and w/o shore power.

**bclemens** · 07-01-2022, 10:37 AM

I'm not arguing the boondock/dry camp side. I have always said, if you boondock or dry camp, always go RV fridge.

I'm simply saying that we have the same amount of problems with RV fridges as we do residential. SO to say they were never designed for an RV is not wholly accurate. I would more say, most RV's were not properly designed to use residential fridges. We make sure we have a big enough window to get them out and we try to use the right brand, not just any brand.

And yes, there is a subset of RV'ers that never boondock. They go from power pole to power pole (alternator and invertor in transit) and there is no sense in jacking with LP or worrying about outside temps...they have lots of space and superior cooling/freezing.

Everybody camps a little differently and I'm not here to tell anyone how they should camp, just to educate yourself on what you need to fit how you camp.

There are places for residential and RV fridges. I have camped with both, understand the limitations of both.

As for the locks, that is a federal code. IF the shelves can be removed/relocated without a clip or mechanism, the fridge door CANNOT have an auto lock on it. Basically someone can't close the door from the inside and be locked in.

We have locks that work, but not all suppliers will let you screw into the door. Samsung and GE do.