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05-22-2019, 09:18 AM
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#1
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3 Rivet Member
2016 23' Flying Cloud
Fanwood
, New Jersey
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 196
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How level does it have to be to operate fridge?
Our 2016FC23D is parked on our property on a slight hill with nose up. When the jack is lowered all the way down, we can make the trailer almost level but not completely level. It is almost imperceptible but with instrument, we can detect nose being slightly elevated still.
I'm wondering if I can operate the fridge in this condition. It doesn't have to work really well as long as we can get it to somewhat cooler the night before a trip.
If I turn it on, it's not going to blow up, is it?
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05-22-2019, 09:28 AM
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#2
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4 Rivet Member
2016 27' Flying Cloud
Overland Park
, Kansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 365
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Atsushi
Our 2016FC23D is parked on our property on a slight hill with nose up. When the jack is lowered all the way down, we can make the trailer almost level but not completely level. It is almost imperceptible but with instrument, we can detect nose being slightly elevated still.
I'm wondering if I can operate the fridge in this condition. It doesn't have to work really well as long as we can get it to somewhat cooler the night before a trip.
If I turn it on, it's not going to blow up, is it?
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Not sure, but probably OK. Is it possible to park your trailer heading the opposite direction? That way you should be able to make it level, I would think.
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05-22-2019, 09:29 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2016 25' Flying Cloud
Jupiter
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,140
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If it's anywhere close to level it will work. We've been in spots where we couldn't get level and it still worked. The situation you described won't be a problem.
__________________
"A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving." - Lao Tzu
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05-22-2019, 09:35 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2002 30' Classic S/O
Fleming Island
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,667
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My manual says:
"Leveling is one of the requirements for proper operation with
absorption refrigerators. To ensure proper leveling the vehicle
needs to be leveled only so it is comfortable to live in (no noticeable
sloping of floor or walls)."
Al
__________________
“You cannot reason someone out of a position they have not been reasoned into"
Al, K5TAN and Missy, N4RGO WBCCI 1322
2002 Classic 30 Slideout -S/OS #004
2013 Dodge 2500 Laramie 4x4 Megacab Cummins
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05-22-2019, 09:35 AM
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#5
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Half a Rivet Short
2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 15,674
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Hi
With a modern fridge, if you can "live" in the trailer, it's level enough. If you feel awkward walking around in the trailer, it may not be level enough.
Bob
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05-22-2019, 09:53 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2013 20' Flying Cloud
Westerly
, Rhode Island
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 654
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Atsushi
If I turn it on, it's not going to blow up, is it?
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No, it will either work or not. Probably will.
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05-22-2019, 10:12 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1991 25' Excella
2011 19' Flying Cloud
Santa Ynez
, California
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,185
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We recently camped in a very unlevel site and my best effort to get situated was still way off. It was an epic location at Kirk creek on big sur coast and no other sites available so we made do. Fridge was a concern but worked fine, the shower drain not so good.
__________________
Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
Will Rogers
Alan
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05-22-2019, 10:18 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2018 27' International
Southeastern MI
, Michigan
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,344
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Mine won’t cool if it’s more than a half bubble off.
__________________
2018 International Serenity 27' FB
Michelin 16” tires
Hensley Arrow hitch
Tow Vehicle: 2020 F-350 6.7L Diesel
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05-22-2019, 06:13 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Atsushi
. . .
I'm wondering if I can operate the fridge in this condition.
. . .
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What does your owner's manual say?
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05-22-2019, 09:05 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2013 31' Classic
billings
, Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,570
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Atsushi
Our 2016FC23D is parked on our property on a slight hill with nose up. When the jack is lowered all the way down, we can make the trailer almost level but not completely level. It is almost imperceptible but with instrument, we can detect nose being slightly elevated still.
I'm wondering if I can operate the fridge in this condition. It doesn't have to work really well as long as we can get it to somewhat cooler the night before a trip.
If I turn it on, it's not going to blow up, is it?
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...you want it to last.....level...the bubble is 90% in the circle...I have never had to replace one..since 1971...
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05-23-2019, 10:02 AM
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#11
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Married with Airstream
2004 25' International CCD
Vancouver Island
, British Columbia
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 934
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It's the same in any TT with an absorbent type Refrig - make it as level as human possible.
__________________
La Dolce Vita Brick & Mona
We're Married With Airstream dot com
2004 International 25CCD Registered Name "Blue Streak"
2013 F-150HD FX4 SuperCrew Lariart (MaxTow) "Red Dragon"
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05-23-2019, 10:11 AM
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#12
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2 Rivet Member
2016 19' Flying Cloud
Newtown
, Connecticut
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 66
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AS a side note, I've read it's okay to have the fridge operational when underway to keep food from spoiling when travelling from one destination to another. Given the ups and downs of highway surfaces, will this varying degree of levelness pose a significant problem?
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05-23-2019, 10:17 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
1996 34' Excella
Elberta
, Alabama
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 837
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Plus or minus 5 degrees will work fine........
Larry
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05-23-2019, 10:20 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2007 22' International CCD
Corona
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
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How level does it have to be to operate fridge?
No, not usually because the motion helps circulate the fluids in the system by sloshing them around. The problem is when it’s far out of level and sitting still. Bubbles stop the liquids from circulating properly, hot spots occur, and then the problems start.
Most modern absorption units work fine when leveled properly fore and aft in the trailer assuming the fridge is mounted against the outer wall like normally done. Leveling the other way is not as critical. If yo can walk comfortably and sleep with your head up slightly (I have a crosswise bed) it’s good enough.
My criteria is if DW is not complaining about being out of level, it’s close enough. A degree or so won’t matter. I try to get the head of the bed, on the street side, higher than the foot for comfort. Fore and aft leveling is easy to get precise with the tongue jack and then stabilizers to prevent rocking. I use a level on the floor near the fridge to check it.
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it.
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05-23-2019, 10:41 AM
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#15
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4 Rivet Member
2001 25' Safari
Ridgefield
, Washington
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 321
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Try putting some boards or blocks under your trailer tires to raise it to the point where the trailer is level with the jack stand lowered all the way.
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05-23-2019, 12:33 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2017 30' Classic
Anna Maria
, Florida
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,641
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Atsushi
Our 2016FC23D is parked on our property on a slight hill with nose up. When the jack is lowered all the way down, we can make the trailer almost level but not completely level. It is almost imperceptible but with instrument, we can detect nose being slightly elevated still.
I'm wondering if I can operate the fridge in this condition. It doesn't have to work really well as long as we can get it to somewhat cooler the night before a trip.
If I turn it on, it's not going to blow up, is it?
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Our driveway has a serious down slope towards the front of the trailer.
I have been parking 3 different Airstreams over 7 years and never had any problem with the fridge not working either on AC or LP. Sometimes I forget to turn it off between trips for several weeks and it keeps on working.
Relax and quit worrying about it.
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05-24-2019, 05:25 AM
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#17
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Half a Rivet Short
2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 15,674
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Hi
When we load for a trip, the trailer sits parked in the street in front of the house. It's not a level surface by any means. I don't use blocks when it's out there so it is noticeably off level while parked. The fridge gets fired up while it's there and it has always cooled down fine. Indeed as noted above, the "off level" is left to right rather than front to back.
Bob
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05-26-2019, 10:13 AM
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#18
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Moderator
2004 30' Classic Slideout
Fenton
, Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 10,401
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The damage to a trailer running a fridge off level is sometime cumulative. And deposits can form within the tubing which leads to a clog. As noted the newer units are built to a standard that if things feel level to you, then you are probably good. I’m old school and I used a bubble level on the floor of the freezer and initially leveled the trailer using the bubble as my guide point. From there I installed the big outside level on the front of the trailer, adjusting it to show level based on the bubble level on the freezer floor. Now it’s just a piece of cake to easily level the trailer upon arrival with my leveling blocks and that outside level. I’ve had one fridge failure in an SOB but that was after 14 years of service and it was caused by a leak in the tubing. I had just sold the trailer and the guy who bought it started smelling ammonia which is the telltale sign of a breach in the tubing. I felt bad for him because the last trip I went on, the fridge was fine.
Jack
__________________
Jack Canavera
STL Mo.
AIR #56 S/OS#15
'04 Classic 30' S.O.,'03 GMC Savana 2500
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05-29-2019, 10:14 AM
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#19
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3 Rivet Member
1998 31' Excella 1000
Simpsonville
, South Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 109
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Countryboy59
Mine won’t cool if it’s more than a half bubble off.
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The DW says I won't work either when I'm a half bubble off.👍
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05-29-2019, 11:06 AM
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#20
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Rivet Master
1987 32' Excella
Nepean
, Ontario
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,414
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I had the ARP module installed, and that does protect the refrigerator from self-destruction and fire. It is worth looking into. See https://www.arprv.com/
__________________
VE3JDZ
AIR 12148
1987 Excella 32-foot
1999 Dodge Ram 2500HD Diesel
WBCCI 8080
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