Trailer tilt....

cpaharley2008

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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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
What I mean is that it's generally more important to me to avoid wasting propane than to avoid wasting household power.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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 :D

Ron
 
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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