Bungee Cord Refrigerator while Traveling?

[marant]

I am not impressed with the tiny latch on the door of our refrigerator. How many of you use a bungee cord to make sure the door does not open while traveling?

[soultrek]

We do! But I also shimmed to tighten the latch, after the door opened and spilled contents some years ago. The door seems to have remained latched enroute since, though the bungee might be helping. Not inclined to experiment without the bungee though!

[Jim Bennett]

I never have and have never had a problem. I have thought of putting a latch into my supplies I carry, but have yet to do that either.

[gklott]

We have not had our Dometic refrigerator door open while traveling.

Good to see another Central Texas owner.

73/gus

[MyronL]

This works for me.

[alanmalk]

Originally Posted by MyronL

This works for me.

We use a strap similar to Myron's - after the door opened on two trips up a washboard road. First time the salad ended up on the floor, the second time the salad dressing went for a spill. I think Murphy's Law was at work there.

[HarleyD]

Originally Posted by alanmalk

We use a strap similar to Myron's - after the door opened on two trips up a washboard road. First time the salad ended up on the floor, the second time the salad dressing went for a spill. I think Murphy's Law was at work there.

In our 5.0 the pantry door lines up with the refrigerator door handle. We put a child proof cabinet lock through both handles and it works very well.

https://www.amazon.com/QT-BABY-Proof...WHN20YM78BC93D

[gbaglo]

As instructed in my Dometic 2510 fridge manual, I keep the door shelves light when travelling rough roads. I also bungee the door. I'm not sure the bungee is required on fridges that have a lock function.

[HABBERDABBER]

I used an item I originally bought for use on a sailboat. I haven't found a link for it yet. I'll take a photo someday soon.



It is a 3 piece deal, 1 piece a white polymer strap, about 4" long, 1" wide. 2 self adhesive cam toggle mounts retain the strap closed. A straight line mount, 1 on the refrig, the other on the frame above the door. Small, easy to use, unobtrusive, semi-permanent.

Works well for me.


You could make your own.....1" wide webbing and 2 of these, available at McMaster-Carr or outdoor stores like REI.


Or here:
https://www.amazon.com/Webbing-Plast...360671&sr=8-39

[h2owmn]

I use a cam strap and have two chrome "pulls"--one around the edge at the dinette wall and one at the reinforced entry wall (17A) sorta like this, only chrome, and with only one screw in each edge. and much less expensive. I got them at the local hardware store.

[gbaglo]

Don't the newer fridges have a lock feature that works? Tammy showed it to me on first 21 they built and took to the rally.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Don't the newer fridges have a lock feature that works? Tammy showed it to me on first 21 they built and took to the rally.

If latched properly they do have a positive catch that would just about have to be broken to open without actually releasing it with your hand.

[Iowa Dave]

While the latch on the 2510 in our 19 never failed in use, it did conk out one spring to where it would not positively latch. I ordered a new latch which was a little pricey but in the mean time I bought two nice brushed nickel cleats each about an inch and a half long. Using a couple small wood screws I mounted them about mid height on each side of the refrigerator door. We used a new boot lace that I had to secure the door all the way to Osoyoos and back. Once I got the new latch I continued to use the lace for added security. Worked great and never came open. Did not mar the door and the cleats blended right in.
On the 21 we have the 8555 and the latches in both the refrigerator have worked well with no opening on the road even over some washboards. We don’t load up the door with cold drinks until we get where we are going and are going to stay a few days. We run with an additional 12 volt Engel cooler that has the heavy stuff in it and items which need to stay at 34 degrees no matter what the outside temp is. An ounce of prevention is worth a bottle of catsup and a roll of paper towels on the floor any time. Hasn’t happened to me but I have witnessed it.
Iowa Dave

[ghosthunter]

Originally Posted by MyronL

This works for me.

Did the same thing on the 15.

[GregWCIL]

Originally Posted by MyronL

This works for me.

Myron, that's an amazing graphic. Mind sharing how you did that? I'm an avid photographer so I have many photos I could use. Looks like an acrylic print like might be used on an iluminated sign board?

I would be worried that the metal parts of the ratchet could scratch it, tho.

[MyronL]

Thanks. No, actually it is my photograph of the north rim of the Grand Canyon, (Nikon D800). Cropped it in Photoshop to door size, took that JPG to a Staples that made posters.

It is not glued to the fridge door. Had to buy the thinnest sheet of acrylic, think it was at Home Depot, necessary to protect the image, keep it flat. Replaced the fridge factory sheet with it. And, that did require some careful shaving of edge thickness to keep it within the fridge bezel trim.

[oldwave]

Originally Posted by MyronL

Thanks. No, actually it is my photograph of the north rim of the Grand Canyon, (Nikon D800). Cropped it in Photoshop to door size, took that JPG to a Staples that made posters.

It is not glued to the fridge door. Had to buy the thinnest sheet of acrylic, think it was at Home Depot, necessary to protect the image, keep it flat. Replaced the fridge factory sheet with it. And, that did require some careful shaving of edge thickness to keep it within the fridge bezel trim.

Very nice, always amazed at the skills of a lot of Escape owners. Great idea that Ill look into, I have some great shots of Zion that might work in a collage .

[Dcboyd]

We took apart a wooden cloths pin. Use it as a wedge behind the latch. Works great.

[Dave Walter]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

I never have and have never had a problem. I have thought of putting a latch into my supplies I carry, but have yet to do that either.

I also have never had my fridge door open while driving. However, I once had a 6 pack of beer fall on the floor and break several bottles when I opened the fridge after a drive. That was a truly devastating experience!

[cpaharley2008]

I must admit to bungee straps across the refer front in my Escapes, more or less for ease of my mind while towing.