Refrigerator Question

[centennialman]

I had a new refrigerator installed in my '66 Safari by our Airstream dealer here in Denver. I have (later) learned that they did not secure it to anything and it slides out a bit while I am traveling.

Can anyone tell me where/how I secure the refrigerator to the coach?

Thanks!
Steve
'66 Safara/Aunt Bee

[InsideOut]

Our '64 (original) is bolted to the floor with four bolts through the frdge frame. I don't know if the new fridges have the same sort of frame...

Our '56 is in tha garage!

Shari

[eubank]

When I installed a few fridge in our 67 a couple of months ago, I ran into the same problem that your dealer undoubtedly noted: In the old ones, the fridge is bolted to the floor; however, the new fridge wants to be bolted/screwed in from the sides. The problem is that there just isn't anything to bolt/screw into on the sides of the cabinet of the older rig, and there's no way on the new fridge to bolt/screw downwards to the floor.

Soooooo, the solution I came up with two-fold:

1. Build a tray-like thing so that each of the feet of the new fridge are sitting in a small depression.

2. Use a strap inside the cabinet going over the top of the fridge, holding the whole unit tightly down into the depressions under the feet.

I was wondering if we'd see any movement of the fridge on our last trip, but was happy to see none whatsoever.


Lynn

[47WeeWind]

Hi Steve:

First, go to the web site for your fridge manufacturer and see if they have downloadable installation instructions for your fridge. The mfgr might use a different method than I suggest below. But here's what worked for me.

I have the same 1964 trailer as Shari and Rob but a newer refrigerator. My refrigerator is secured to the floor with two lag bolts that go through holes in the rear corners of the fridge bottom frame rails near the outside skin. These lag bolts are acccessible through the lower small exterior door behind the fridge. I use a hand ratchet and hex socket to install and remove these lag bolts, which have hex heads with a slot for a screwdriver.

Square up the fridge just where you want it, drill a small pilot hole for one lag bolt (using a drill bit that is a bit narrower than the solid shaft of the lag bolt excluding the threads) then install that lag bolt most of the way to fix the location of that rear corner. Make any necessary final adjustment to get the fridge exactly where you want it, then drill the other pilot hole. Screw in the other lag bolt and tighten both of them. Your fridge should now be secure.

[centennialman]

Thanks so much for the help folks!

Fred.....I think your idea will work! I opened up the side door on the coach and saw what I could do, following your instructions.

Have a great holiday weekend everyone