Raising a fridge on a platform ?

[Jamiep]

I have a Dometic RM60 Fridge. It's around 40 inches tall. I'm gutting my airstream and wondered if anyone had any thoughts on putting the fridge on a platform so that it's not so low.

Assuming that the air clearances are okay, and the fridge is adequately secured, does anyone see any issues with putting it up on a riser? Or has anyone done it?

Thanks -Jamie

[perryg114]

I don't see any issues. As long as it is level and properly vented you should be good.

Perry

[Silver Goose]

Originally Posted by Jamiep

...wondered if anyone had any thoughts on putting the fridge on a platform so that it's not so low. ...

Jamie, take a look at the interior photos on the airstream.com website. You will see that most show the fridge raised about a foot above the floor. If you raise yours, consider how that will alter your outside access to the backside of the fridge. The placement of your outside access door may limit your options.

[Jamiep]

Well noted about the access hatch. I will measure and re-assess. Hope it will work though!

Thanks y'all.

[oh2bcarefree]

The original fridge was removed from the trailer when we got it. We added L brackets on the sides of the original opening for the fridge to sit on and the front of our fridge has trim with screw holes which secure to the wood trim of the trailer.

Here is a link to some photos of the exterior work for the fridge in our thread in Vintage Kin: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f417...n-79207-3.html
Posts #33 and #43 have exterior photos of the moved access door/vent and the new louver panel we added for ventilation. I guess I need to get a photo of the finished inside. I will do that and post for you tonight.

Tina

[dznf0g]

I think most of the newer ones (mine does) sit on an aluminum frame which is mounted on the floor. Would be easy to fab out of pieces from HD or other big box. Mine is welded together, but I am sure you could rivet or bolt it together. The frame supports vertical loads only, as the fridge is screwed into the cabinet frame ti the front as well.

[Alumaholic]

1. Many newer Airstreams come that way (We love the way ours sits higher);
2. Others have done it successfully;
3. Make sure you'll still have access through the rear access hatch for trouble shooting and cleaning the flue;
3. Give yourself plenty of ventilation. Cooling inside the box is directly proportionally to ventilating the heat that is exchanged.

The only thing to be added would be calculating the floorspace you will lose in the galley. As you move the refrigerator "up," you will have to also move it "out" to provide clearance from the wall behind it to ensure needed ventilation. So, consider the trade offs, and consider the outcome before you begin your demolition and fabrication.

[idroba]

I did the reverse on my 20' Argosy. The original refrigerator was mounted on a factory made steel frame, about 5" high. I wanted to put in a larger refrigerator when I did my renovation. So, I removed the frame, and got a taller refrigerator. The original had been under the kitchen countertop, and the new one required me to raise the countertop in that area. That was no big deal as I was replacing the counters anyway.

The outside access door is now a few inches too high, making access to the burner for cleaning almost impossible. When I need to do maintenance now, I will have to remove the refrigerator, but having the larger refrigerator is well worth that problem.

The Argosy's of that era used a floor cutout and cooling air flow was through a screen on the belly pan, and then up through the floor so I had no problems with cooling the new unit. I still think it is a better system than the louvered access door system which is now used. It not only looks better, but in case of a propane leak, the propane vapors can "drain" out down through the floor vent and not build up behind the refrigerator.

So, within reason, you can move your refrigerator up or down some, and as long as it is well anchored, and you have plans for access for cooling air and mechanical items.

[TG Twinkie]

I have the same refer and I agree that being right on the floor makes it more inconvenient but I am willing to put up with it because of the additional countertop space. The other consideration while perhaps minor is you are raising the center of gravity on that side of the trailer.
In the case with my Argosy 26' most of the heavy stuff, refer, water heater, battery and tall closets are on the street side. Only the cook top and galley sink are on the curb side. Whenever I load the trailer I am conscious of the extra weight that is on the street side and try to put all the heavier items on the curb side as much as possible.

[oh2bcarefree]

I totally forgot to take this photo... I could give a ton of excuses, but they'd be just that. I am very sorry.

Here is the photo of our fridge lifted. This was the original location of the fridge, it's just raised. The PO had done it prior with an electric fridge and we've installed an electric and LP.

Tina

[susans69]

I built a pedestal for my refrigerator and it makes it way easier to access the interior of the frige.