Do I need to really level my trailer when docked?

[aboyz]

Hi,

Is it true I have to level my trailer when docking on my driveway? I kinda of eyeball it. Will it mess up the refrigrator? or is it ok?

Also when I dock it, do I need to turn anything off? please advise what I need to check.

thank you

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by aboyz

Hi,

Is it true I have to level my trailer when docking on my driveway? I kinda of eyeball it. Will it mess up the refrigrator? or is it ok?

Also when I dock it, do I need to turn anything off? please advise what I need to check.

thank you

It depends on what exactly you mean by "docking" your trailer. I haven't seen that term used.

[aboyz]

Originally Posted by Mr. Dan

It depends on what exactly you mean by "docking" your trailer. I haven't seen that term used.

docking it mean just parking it. you dock it you park it.

So I park the trailer on my driveway. do i need to level it or just eye ball it? also do i need to turn anything off if i'm not using it? please advise.

[Iwritecode]

It doesn't have to be exactly level. IIRC the fridge can be up to 6 degrees off before you have problems with it.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by aboyz

docking it mean just parking it. you dock it you park it.

So I park the trailer on my driveway. do i need to level it or just eye ball it? also do i need to turn anything off if i'm not using it? please advise.

If you're not going to run the fridge, you don't have to level it.
If the fridge isn't running, it doesn't have be level.

[aboyz]

Originally Posted by bikendan

If you're not going to run the fridge, you don't have to level it.
If the fridge isn't running, it doesn't have be level.

How do I check if the fridge is running or how can I shut it off? is ithere a off switch?

[bubbles]

Originally Posted by aboyz

Hi,

Is it true I have to level my trailer when docking on my driveway? I kinda of eyeball it. Will it mess up the refrigrator? or is it ok?

Also when I dock it, do I need to turn anything off? please advise what I need to check.

thank you

No you do not have to level it with no power on the unit. Just park it. The unit needs to be level if the fridge will be operating though. I think most with a trailer either disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery or remove the battery when storing the unit (when no charging capability to the battery while installed is available). With either of those options everything will be off.

[aboyz]

Originally Posted by bubbles

No you do not have to level it with no power on the unit. Just park it. The unit needs to be level if the fridge will be operating though. I think most with a trailer either disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery or remove the battery when storing the unit (when no charging capability to the battery while installed is available). With either of those options everything will be off.

thank you this is what i needed to know. so just open up the batteries cover and disconnect the negative cable and I'm good to go..

[BehindBars]

Originally Posted by aboyz

How do I check if the fridge is running or how can I shut it off? is ithere a off switch?

I don’t mean to sound silly, but if the refrigerator/freezer is colder inside than the ambient temperature outside, it is probably running.

What is the brand and model of refrigerator? Is it powered with AC/propane, AC only, or DC only?

Stupid as it may sound, some recent models of 12 volt DC powered refrigerators reportedly were installed by Forest River with no OFF switch.

[aboyz]

Originally Posted by BehindBars

I don’t mean to sound silly, but if the refrigerator/frezzer is colder inside than the ambient temperature outside, it is probably running.

What is the brand and model of refrigerator? Is it powered with AC/propane, AC only, or DC only?

Stupid as it may sound, some recent models of 12 volt DC powered refrigerators reportedly were installed by Forest River with no OFF switch.

I just got the trailer tow back to me and this thing is very new to me. So I"m going to go inside the trailer and check if the refrigerator is cold or not. good ideas.. I don't know the brand. where would I get that info? is there a model number on the side of the door? AC/propane AC or DC i have no ideas. I just got this. Again where would I go to see if its AC/propane and if its AC or DC? can I look it up on their website?

I got a geo pro 20bhs. 2021

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by aboyz

I just got the trailer tow back to me and this thing is very new to me. So I"m going to go inside the trailer and check if the refrigerator is cold or not. good ideas.. I don't know the brand. where would I get that info? is there a model number on the side of the door? AC/propane AC or DC i have no ideas. I just got this. Again where would I go to see if its AC/propane and if its AC or DC? can I look it up on their website?

I got a geo pro 20bhs. 2021

You should have gotten a build sheet with the trailer. Didn't the dealer go over anything with you, during the PDI/walkthrough?

[aboyz]

Originally Posted by bikendan

You should have gotten a build sheet with the trailer. Didn't the dealer go over anything with you, during the PDI/walkthrough?

yeah he did. but i forgot all about it now.

Looking online its a 12V magic chef fridge.
Other big change for '21 is the new 12v compressor fridge, with a larger wattage solar panel to help with electrical demands.

did more digging and this is what i found.

As i understand it from "reliable sources", the standard fridge that used to be the 6 cubic foot usual absorption RV fridge such as in the 19FD, has been replaced with a larger capacity 10 cubic foot(?) 12 volt unit for the units now in production for the 'real' 2021 output. Additionally for units equipped with solar packages, as the 19FD, that has also been upgraded to help with the bigger power demand while off grid with the new fridge. Still only comes with a single lead acid battery from the dealer as 'standard', however, so upgrading the battery along with adding a second battery would probably be good for this arrangement.
And on that note, some folks have noted that their new RV has the fridge installed 'crooked', as in the bottom protrudes outward giving the unit a leaning appearance, which of course NOT correct and said units should NOT be accepted until the dealer corrects the issue so that the fridge is properly installed and looking like this:

[comfun1]

I always level mine so I don't damage the slide.

[jimmoore13]

Echoing others.

Must be reasonably level...not eyeball level, because surrounding environment can create an optical illusion...if you run the fridge.

Get some of these and install them. https://www.amazon.com/RV-Designer-E...3N5AFXNF6QA4AF
The beauty of the Hopkins vs. other brands is that the straight edge at the bottom of the level needs only to be aligned with horizontal frame members to match the attitude of the rig. Hold a straight edge or framing level under the frame, position the Hopkins on top of that straight edge, adhere to the frame with the double-sided sticky, add screws. No messing around having to level the rig before you apply the Hopkins.

The Hopkins levels are your reference for level. Keep the bubble in the range in the illustration (no more than about "2" on the gauge), and you're close enough for gubmint work.

As for the fridge, there should be a power on/off switch inside the fridge. If you can't find one in the fridge or nearby, and you don't see one on the main power panel (lights, slide, awning, hot water heater, etc.) go to the main breaker panel (converter) and find the 12 volt fuse serving the fridge. Pull the fuse as a stop-gap measure, then call the dealer and ask where the switch is. If, for some reason, there is no switch, install one or get one installed.

Do not run the fridge when the rig is parked unless it's level. Driving down the road, the motion of the ocean will keep it from having problems, but stationary, it will not function properly unless it's reasonably level. For the few minutes that you're hitching/unhitching and leveling there will be no problem, but overnight, running out of level will cause you problems.

FYI, when moving a fridge, say from Home Depot to your house, they recommend that the fridge travel upright. If you lay it on its back, for example, they advise that you get it in position standing upright and wait a day or so to allow the refrigerant to settle into place before plugging it in.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by aboyz

yeah he did. but i forgot all about it now.

Looking online its a 12V magic chef fridge.
Other big change for '21 is the new 12v compressor fridge, with a larger wattage solar panel to help with electrical demands.

did more digging and this is what i found.

As i understand it from "reliable sources", the standard fridge that used to be the 6 cubic foot usual absorption RV fridge such as in the 19FD, has been replaced with a larger capacity 10 cubic foot(?) 12 volt unit for the units now in production for the 'real' 2021 output. Additionally for units equipped with solar packages, as the 19FD, that has also been upgraded to help with the bigger power demand while off grid with the new fridge. Still only comes with a single lead acid battery from the dealer as 'standard', however, so upgrading the battery along with adding a second battery would probably be good for this arrangement.
And on that note, some folks have noted that their new RV has the fridge installed 'crooked', as in the bottom protrudes outward giving the unit a leaning appearance, which of course NOT correct and said units should NOT be accepted until the dealer corrects the issue so that the fridge is properly installed and looking like this:

The "level" requirement only applies to the older "absorption" fridge. The Magic Chef 12v fridge is a compressor fridge and can tolerate much greater angles.

Please confirm that you actually have the Magic Chef 12v compressor fridge before letting it operate at angles greater than 6 degrees.