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Old 11-30-2014, 09:15 AM   #1
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Trailer tilt....

For those that store their unit outside during non use, do you keep the unit fairly level or tilted front or back for rain and snow run off? Just wondering the pro/con of each? Thanks
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Old 11-30-2014, 09:19 AM   #2
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I decided to keep mine tilted to front just to keep run-off from rear window.
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Old 11-30-2014, 09:43 AM   #3
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We tilt , and if we get a big snow dump we push it off .
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Old 11-30-2014, 11:56 AM   #4
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With a tandem axle trailer, though, how much north-south tilt would too much, and putting excessive weight on one of the axles?
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Old 11-30-2014, 12:16 PM   #5
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Remember to level it again if you plan to pre-cool the fridge, prior to a trip.
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Old 11-30-2014, 03:45 PM   #6
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I've often wondered how much the tilt really bothers the fridge... Does it just make it less efficient, or is there any real harm? If it's just a question of efficiency, I don't really mind a few extra watt-hours on the house electrical bill...

regarding tilt -- you can always block either front or rear wheels to get a tilt without stress on the suspension. I have to do this to get a level trailer in our parking spot.
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Old 11-30-2014, 03:53 PM   #7
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Here's what Dometic says:

Leveling the refrigerator
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).
Any time the vehicle is parked for several hours with the refrigerator
operating, the vehicle should be leveled to prevent this loss
of cooling.
If the refrigerator is operated when it is not level and the vehicle
is not moving, liquid ammonia will accumulate in sections of the
evaporator tubing. This will slow the circulation of hydrogen and
ammonia gas, or in severe cases, completely block it, resulting in
a loss of cooling.
When the vehicle is moving, the leveling is not critical, as the
rolling and pitching movement of the vehicle will pass to either
side of level, keeping the liquid ammonia from accumulating in
the evaporator tubing.
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Old 11-30-2014, 04:27 PM   #8
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thanks gbaglo... so it is a question of efficiency. Probably more important if you're running off propane than if you're plugged into your house.
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Old 11-30-2014, 05:15 PM   #9
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When I had a conventional bumper pull I always angled it towards the back. The flat rubber roof was prone to pooling and It had a bunk door on the front, hence the angle to the back. Are not the Escape bumper pulls somewhat rounded on top? If so I wouldn't think it an issue. Obviously it's not on the 5.0.
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Old 11-30-2014, 05:19 PM   #10
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thanks gbaglo... so it is a question of efficiency. Probably more important if you're running off propane than if you're plugged into your house.
Not really. The absorption system requires a relatively level fridge to work properly, regardless of the fuel (heat) source.
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Old 11-30-2014, 05:25 PM   #11
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What I mean is that it's generally more important to me to avoid wasting propane than to avoid wasting household power.
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Old 11-30-2014, 05:39 PM   #12
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What I mean is that it's generally more important to me to avoid wasting propane than to avoid wasting household power.
Yeah, that's true. Shore power would be less costly than refilling a propane canister. But, the unit won't run properly if it's not level, and depending on the amount of tilt and the amount of time you run it, you could also damage the cooling system. Glenn's point is well taken.
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Old 11-30-2014, 05:46 PM   #13
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What I read in Glenn's words from Dometic was that the fridge would be less efficient (and yes, maybe not capable of getting as cold as it needs to be in some circumstances), but nothing there suggested that harm could be done.
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Old 11-30-2014, 05:51 PM   #14
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Supposed to be watching the Grey Cup, not starting yet another fridge thread.
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Old 11-30-2014, 06:02 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dbailey View Post
What I read in Glenn's words from Dometic was that the fridge would be less efficient (and yes, maybe not capable of getting as cold as it needs to be in some circumstances), but nothing there suggested that harm could be done.
Checked it out and you're right. The older models with the square boiler box tubes could be permanently damaged from out of level operation, but the newer models with the round boiler box tubes have a redesigned siphon tube making permanent damage from out of level operation far less likely. I still would not run the unit out of level, however.
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Old 11-30-2014, 06:12 PM   #16
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Supposed to be watching the Grey Cup, not starting yet another fridge thread.
Some things are universal. Sailors travel thousands of miles, have tons of adventures and when they get to port and socialize with other sailors what's the number one topic of conversation? Fridges

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Old 11-30-2014, 06:18 PM   #17
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...some of us just love fridge discussions!...
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Old 11-30-2014, 08:06 PM   #18
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...some of us just love fridge discussions!...
And Poutine.
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Old 11-30-2014, 10:07 PM   #19
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...some of us just love fridge discussions!...
Hi: hotfishtacos... Some of us love "Hot topics" rather than "Chilling tales"!!! Alf
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Old 11-30-2014, 11:00 PM   #20
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With a tandem axle trailer, though, how much north-south tilt would too much, and putting excessive weight on one of the axles?
I think this is a legitimate concern for long-term storage. Even a couple of inches height difference between the axles will overload the one which is more compressed.

I would consider putting the tires of the axle toward the higher end up on blocks if tilting the trailer significantly - they wouldn't need to be very thick.
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