Keeping the fridge door closed during travel

[FMLNM]

Hi folks,
During a 7 mile drive down an especially wash-boarded road this past weekend we arrived at the campsite to discover that the fridge door had shaken completely off its hinges. (There was nothing stored in the fridge so there was not a food mess on the floor!)

We had bungeed the door closed but one of the anchors for the bungee had shaken loose and thus the door failure. The plastic seat for the hinge at the top had broken but the hole to seat the top hinge was still intact so we were able to remove the upper faceplate and reseat everything and have a functional fridge.

For the return trip we used painters tape which worked, but it did pull some of the woodgrain off the corner molding...not attractive.
So we are looking for suggestions and ideas that others have used to solve this. The bungee solution has worked on 'normal' roads but we think a more secure solution would provide more peace of mind, especially when we encounter more rough roads!
Thanks!

[J Mac]

We never store ANYTHING in/on the door shelves and so far that seems to work.

[FMLNM]

Originally Posted by J Mac

We never store ANYTHING in/on the door shelves and so far that seems to work.

Right. We don't travel with anything stored in the fridge either...but the road was pretty rough and once the door got shaken open it was done for.

[gbaglo]

I have used bungee and gaffer tape ( not duck tape ). Even though the gaffer tape leaves no residue, you still have to peel it slowly.

[FMLNM]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

I have used bungee and gaffer tape ( not duck tape ). Even though the gaffer tape leaves no residue, you still have to peel it slowly.

Thanks. We have the exact same fridge and cabinet arrangement. I had a bungee going across the front of the fridge from side to side instead of top to bottom. It was fastened to two of the removable 3M hooks. Unfortunately, one of the hooks got shaken off the mount rendering the bungee useless. (And the bottom cabinet door swung open even though there was nothing in it!)

Never heard of gaffer tape...it can be peeled off without leaving any residue or stripping off the paper woodgrain?

I am thinking of screwing some kind of tie down anchor into the cabinet frame just above and below the fridge door....then securing a strap between the anchors. The anchors would be permanent but maybe I can find something that is not too ugly!

[padlin]

What kind of fridges are these that don't stay shut? If it's a weak point should not ETI address it?

[gbaglo]

I wouldn't call it a weak point. We're talking really bad washboard.
However, the 6.3 cu. ft. fridge in the 21' has an extra lock that can be set with the press of a button for travel.
Gaffer tape is used in the movie industry, stage and photography. Costs about five times what duck tape ( duct tape to some ) costs. I used it before I switched to the bungee cord. There is some risk of damage, but minimal if you take it slow removing it.

[FMLNM]

Originally Posted by padlin

What kind of fridges are these that don't stay shut? If it's a weak point should not ETI address it?

This was a VERY rough road. ...7 miles of washboard. The fridge had stayed closed fine on normal roads but this was well above and beyond the norm. I had packed up everything else in the trailer very securely and it all stayed in place...except for the fridge door. Perhaps if I had secured the hook where the bungee was attached it would have been just fine. Just looking for a better solution for future bad roads.

[LeonW]

I haven't used this in my Escape, but one of my friends used this after her cocker spaniel figured out how to open the fridge. I thought it looked promising. We had the fridge come open once, but after we tightened the hinges, we had no further problems.

On the other hand, if the road is so rough that your door comes off (as opposed to open), you may need something stronger.

Multi-purpose appliance latch

[FMLNM]

Originally Posted by LeonW

I haven't used this in my Escape, but one of my friends used this after her cocker spaniel figured out how to open the fridge. I thought it looked promising. We had the fridge come open once, but after we tightened the hinges, we had no further problems.

On the other hand, if the road is so rough that your door comes off (as opposed to open), you may need something stronger.

Multi-purpose appliance latch

Thanks! I have been looking into these child-proofing locks. Maybe I'll find just the right configuration....
It COULD work...as long as the door stays closed then it won't get shaken off the hinges!

[Brian B-P]

I know that this is not a direct answer to the question, and I realize that certain members will attack me for suggesting this, but...
Maybe it would help if the trailer rode more smoothly. Added shock absorbers help, and may be appropriate if rough roads are frequently encountered. This is not a trivial modification, as there are currently no commercially available kits to add shocks to a Torflex suspension.

[Greggo]

I use the child locks on the cabinets under the sink. Same problem, doors shake open sometimes and I don't want them damaged. Bungee idea has worked fine for me to keep the refrig, wardrobe and bathroom door closed but we've been on mostly paved roads. It only takes a speed bump or short stretch of bad highway to ruin your day!

THANKS for bringing this up. Sorry you had to sustain damage. Bummer.

Greg

[gbaglo]

For the cupboard doors, under the sink and stove, I've used re-usable zap-straps from Lee Valley Tools. Just loop them so handles are tied together. I use them for a lot of things around camp.

[sjnuss]

I found this strap set up in the boating section of the local sporting goods store. Works great!

[JimJ]

A simple and effective solution. I like it.

[FMLNM]

Originally Posted by sjnuss

I found this strap set up in the boating section of the local sporting goods store. Works great!

I like this! Just need to locate the attachment hardware or something similar and fashion a strap...should do the trick. Thanks!

[gbaglo]

You'll find those attachment points at the same marine hardware.
I like it, but what about the holes?

[badger]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

but what about the holes?

Can't have your cheese and eat it too. gbaglo

[FMLNM]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

You'll find those attachment points at the same marine hardware.
I like it, but what about the holes?

I think it is going to have to be either holes or something adhered onto the woodgrain which may or may not mar the woodgrain. Can think of it as a useful mod...the hardware looks pretty unobtrusive....

Is there a name for those hardware parts from the marine suppliers?

[sjnuss]

There are only 4 small holes that could easily be filled if needed. Not sure of the specific marine term but here is another perspective to show it a little better.