Fulltimedale
Fort Lauderdale
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Hello, I'm new to the site and to RV'ing. We just bought a 2008 Hy-Line 42' travel trailer and will be full-timing across the US. The travel trailer has a full size refrigerator which is in the kichen slide-out.
Were trying to figure out the best way to tie-down the refrigerator while moving it. We plan to stay in a campground for about 3-4 months, then move. Any suggestions? Hy-Line says it should be laid down in the trailer while moving, but we would rather not have to do that. Tie-down straps with rails maybe? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Dale
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Turbo Diesel Dude
Green Mountain, NC
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Joined: 01/10/2005
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Sounds to me like you bought what is normally refered to as a "Park Model" which is taken to a semi-permanent site and placed there. Don't think I would like to pull that beast. Do you have black/grey tanks or just straight hook up to sewer? To answer you original question, I would lay it down as manufacturer recommends. Real hassle when you move, emptying it etc.
charles weidman
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mwebber78
New England
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Joined: 08/07/2005
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Holy cow! I saw Hyline's at the Boston show and I don't recall them being sold as "travel trailers" but as "park models".
You can buy hook and loop fastners, fabric webbing and some screw down eye & hooks and create your own tie downs, but I think I would do as the manuf. suggests.
Michael 
2 DD's and my DW 
6 Acre's of Maine
SunnyBrook 312 BHDS
Chevy Silverado 2500HD EXT. Cab LT 4X4
2007 Camping Pictures
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Fulltimedale
Fort Lauderdale
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Well... actually its titled as a travel trailer. They added the black and gray tanks and a 3rd axle since we were going to be moving it more. We understand that we got a huge trailer here, but figured we need the comfort if were doing this full time. What is the big issue anyway for a park model vs. a travel trailer? Seems like its just the black and grey tanks and maybe length.
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wayne_tw
South Dakota/Georgia
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When I was in the mobile home business in the 1960's and 1970's, the manufacturers would screw a "U" bracket to the refrigerator cabinet at the top and then screw that bracket into a stud in the wall. Never saw a refrigerator fall over either being transported from the factory or to the buyer's lot from the sales lot. I would think this would work for your needs.
* This post was
edited 04/19/08 07:02am by wayne_tw *
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MI Director
Michigan
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Joined: 03/03/2007
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If you lay it down, you'll need to wait 24 hours before you plug it in everytime you set it back up for the gases and oil to seperate again. I would find where your wall studs are and use those for setting up a tie down system.
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wayne_tw
South Dakota/Georgia
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I sure hope you will be able to find campgrounds that can handle a 42' trailer. I sure hope you have a truck that can handle a 42' trailer. I sure hope YOU can handle a 42' trailer.
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Fulltimedale
Fort Lauderdale
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thanks for the positive feedback wayne. Just an FYI... I've handled 53' rigs (trucks) before, not that there exactly the same, but I think I will learn and there are plenty of campgrounds that handle a 40' travel trailer, 42' with hitch. I did my research before I bought it and the campgrounds that I want to go to handle them.. just takes a phone call to see. The weight of the trailer is just over 10,000 pounds dry, the 2005 F350 diesel can handle 15,000 pounds, so I think I'm fine there. Not that my experience was the question here or my truck or the campgrounds. The question was about the tie-downs.
the U bracket sounds like a great idea though thanks.
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nny12972
NY
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This is gonna' go a bit further than the OP topic, but.....
I was "forced" to look at a Hy-Line for seasonal business use (sales mgr. owned one!)......the big difference is the park models are not built to be towed regularly.....built pretty much like a TT, but a whole lot heavier and appliances are residential in every respect.....and then the slides must be blocked for traveling (they call 'em "push-out," but they're really push and pull and lift and block---after the rig has been "leveled and blocked!")....and as the OP discovered, the mfg. says the fridge must be laid down for travel----why? 'Cause it's too much weight to be bouncing around on the floor while continually on the road---and having looked at both wall structure & the flooring, I agree! And, as mentioned above, many CGs won't allow a rig that size on temp sites---couldn't get that size rig into most sites.
We could handle the T with our Kodiak easily, but the issues that concerned me and my company's BOD when the subject was considered, was that the warranty specifically excluded "use other than as intended." It is a park model! And, regardless of what the title says, we discovered that the length wouldn't even be allowed many places we wanted & needed to take it.
We bought a two year-old MH and customized a 24' CT instead!
J
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RustySocket
SW Washington
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Fulltimedale wrote:Well... actually its titled as a travel trailer. They added the black and gray tanks and a 3rd axle since we were going to be moving it more. We understand that we got a huge trailer here, but figured we need the comfort if were doing this full time. What is the big issue anyway for a park model vs. a travel trailer? Seems like its just the black and grey tanks and maybe length.
The simple fact that the fridge is not built in and the need to add tanks and a 3rd axle should clue you in that they are probably not built to handle being moved on a regular basis. Personally If you plan on towing it much I'd reconsider this decision.
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