Here is what the owners manual for my Dometic RM2454 says about leveling. "Leveling is one of the requirements for proper operations with absorption refrigerators. to (sic) ensure proper leveling the vehicle needs to be leveled only so it is confortable to line in (no noticeable sloping of floor or walls."
My fridge is in a 2009 TT so it was built in '09 or '08.
Ken O wrote: I always see the comments on the fridge having to be level, I'm not sure how level it has to be. Other than the plains states, when pulling, the rig is NEVER level. Going up and down mountains and valleys, my fridge has never had a problem. Been parked overnight at rest stops that were far from level, no problem there also. Maybe I'm just got lucky. Seems like it would be useless if it had to be level all the time.
Has anyone actually had THEIR fridge quit on them because of this? I think this is an old wives tale. Yeah, when your actually camping for a while you want it level, its nice to have the water drain, etc.
That said, when I overnight at a CG, rest stop, etc. I dont unhook unless its very unlevel. I do jack the trailer some to stabilize the trailer, and take weight off the truck springs.
Erroll, Mary, Duffy the Badger Dog plus "Ollie"
2009 HiLo Towlite 2209T
2005 F150 Supercab 4x4, w/ 5.4L
I bought an older trailer once that had a brand new fridge. The previous owners arrived home late one night and parked on slanted ground. It killed the fridge which they had left running.
That was our first TT and it made me a believer in leveling.
I have my hitch set up so the floor is almost level, and if I'm parked and the site is close to level I just use my tongue jack to tweak it a bit while still hitched, and unplug the trailer connector.
Ken O wrote: I always see the comments on the fridge having to be level, I'm not sure how level it has to be. Other than the plains states, when pulling, the rig is NEVER level. Going up and down mountains and valleys, my fridge has never had a problem. Been parked overnight at rest stops that were far from level, no problem there also. Maybe I'm just got lucky. Seems like it would be useless if it had to be level all the time.
Has anyone actually had THEIR fridge quit on them because of this? I think this is an old wives tale. Yeah, when your actually camping for a while you want it level, its nice to have the water drain, etc.
That said, when I overnight at a CG, rest stop, etc. I dont unhook unless its very unlevel. I do jack the trailer some to stabilize the trailer, and take weight off the truck springs.
Doesn't apply when moving - the motion will keep the gases and liquids from clotting up. When sitting still, it needs to be level.
CavemanCharlie wrote: Um,, I'm not trying to say anything bad here. But, if you are going to drink at the park in your TT while it's hitched to the TV you are technically slightly more in violation of the law. By this, I mean that they could say that since you are drinking in the trailer and hitched to the pickup you have intent to drive and they could give you a ticket. Now, the probley wouldn't but, just to be on the safe side during those times I have a few beers I unhitch and put the keys to the pickup in a drawer so that I'm not carrying them in my pocket. This is still against the law because I would still have access to the keys but, It's just one more safe step. Really, you should unhitch and give the keys to a sober person to be completely legal. Again this is all getting technical and I'm known for my over cautiousness. Have a nice Day
Sure glad I don't live in MN!! So does this mean that in MN I could not drink in a parked MH? Thank God Texas laws are a lil diffrent.
Steve & Joyce
2011 Chevrolet 2500 Z71 4X4
2013 Montana High Country 343 RL
1996 Celebrity 200 Boat
2000 Yamaha 1200 LTD Waverunner
2012 Ford Mustang GT (Mama's ride)
Vítejte na víkend doma a Steve Joyce
CavemanCharlie wrote: Um,, I'm not trying to say anything bad here. But, if you are going to drink at the park in your TT while it's hitched to the TV you are technically slightly more in violation of the law. By this, I mean that they could say that since you are drinking in the trailer and hitched to the pickup you have intent to drive and they could give you a ticket. Now, the probley wouldn't but, just to be on the safe side during those times I have a few beers I unhitch and put the keys to the pickup in a drawer so that I'm not carrying them in my pocket. This is still against the law because I would still have access to the keys but, It's just one more safe step. Really, you should unhitch and give the keys to a sober person to be completely legal. Again this is all getting technical and I'm known for my over cautiousness. Have a nice Day
Sure glad I don't live in MN!! So does this mean that in MN I could not drink in a parked MH? Thank God Texas laws are a lil diffrent.
No--as long as your not sitting in the driver's seat with the keys in the ignition.
As far as having a travel trailer hooked up to a TV in a campground or even in a Walmart or Cabela's lot for a one night stop--we're not going to come in your TT and arrest you for DWI because your drinking and hooked up and have your keys in your possession (I'm in MN Law Enforcement).
That being said--drinking means different things to different folks. If your talking 4-10 beers or drinks then stay in your TT or at least away from your TV and put your TV keys away. Unlikely anyone would be drinking that much on a one-night stopover I'd hope anyhow.
Andy
2012 Keystone Bullet 281BHS
2004 Toyota Sequoia
ProPride 3P - what a hitch!
Nights camped in 2012=33
Nights camped in 2013=2, planned=36 Our camping photos
Something to consider is that you don't want to let your suspension loaded long term. drop the front jack and take some of the weight off and you will not rock as much and help unload the suspension.
When boondocking for two nights recently, I kept the trailer hitched to the van, but I did use the stabilizer jacks and tongue jack to keep things level and stable.
I always thought the fridges that were effected by an unlevel pad were propane only. My fridge doesn't have a propane option, but maybe it's still in jeopardy? I don't sit unlevel anyway, but I do stay connected for overnights if I'm fairly level.
I do have a concern sometimes when staying hitched that there would be some type of emergency and I wouldn't be able to pull out as quick because I'm hooked to a trailer that has the stabilizers down and plugged in the post. I would have to either unhitch, or unplug and take the trailer with me.
Thankfully I've never had an emergency, but it's a bit of a concern at times. I think if I camped with young kids I would unhitch.
Leveling isn't a big concern if you have a fridge that uses a compressor, like a residential refrigerator. Leveling is only critical when using an absorption fridge, one that uses propane/electric to heat ammonia.
bakerkids wrote: I always thought the fridges that were effected by an unlevel pad were propane only. My fridge doesn't have a propane option, but maybe it's still in jeopardy? I don't sit unlevel anyway, but I do stay connected for overnights if I'm fairly level.
I do have a concern sometimes when staying hitched that there would be some type of emergency and I wouldn't be able to pull out as quick because I'm hooked to a trailer that has the stabilizers down and plugged in the post. I would have to either unhitch, or unplug and take the trailer with me.
Thankfully I've never had an emergency, but it's a bit of a concern at times. I think if I camped with young kids I would unhitch.
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