How to secure our residential refrigerator for travel.
RonC said
02:32 PM May 3, 2019
On our last leg, our refrigerator (Samsung residential) tipped out about a foot. This was due to it rocking past a vertical board at the back of the refrigerator, which was supposed to prevent this. However, once it happened (the overlap between the vertical board and back of fridge was too small), I could not get it go back under that board. The only way I got it back to vertical was to move that board to the side, allowing the back of the fridge to slip back into place. That vertical board is now gone, so I need to come up with a way to keep my refrigerator in it's place when we move. I'm envisioning some straps that will be "moving day" straps that are removed at arrival. However, the collective wisdom here is impressive and some of you may have already crossed this bridge and have solved the issue. Looking for some advice.
igotjam said
04:46 PM May 3, 2019
On my KZ 5er I replaced the Norcold with a residential and used the outside vent to access the back of the new refridge. I screwed a couple of drywall screws though the fridge pan and into the floor. I know this likely won’t work as you likely can’t access the back. So.. I was looking at the Samsung in my current motorhome. Not sure but maybe you could drill a small 1/8” hole through the plastic foot and plastic leveler for a long drywall type screw? I haven’t looked but what can you access by removing the freezer drawer? A screw or 2 from the bottom of the fridge to the floor would keep it in place.
arcaguy said
05:20 PM May 3, 2019
Just a suggestion, and remember I have absolutely no idea what you're dealing with, but newer stoves have "anti-tip" brackets that slip over one foot of the stove. If your refrigerator has round feet that can be leveled you should be able to adapt one of these and make it work. They're about $10. Just search for "stove anti tip bracket" and you should get a picture of one.
Dutch said
05:20 PM May 3, 2019
When I installed our residential fridge, I anchored the back at the floor using the hold down bracket from the original Norcold fridge secured to the fridge with sheet metal screws. I also installed hardware store "L" brackets at the top rear of the fridge to the side walls after removing the roof vent for access.
RonC said
08:23 PM May 3, 2019
Thanks for the thoughts and suggestions. It is hard to accurately describe what I’ve got, but here goes. The back of the fridge is about 2” from the back of the slide it is in. There are two robust lag bolts thru the front casters that attach to the floor of the slide, so zero chance of it tilting backwards. The only risk is tilting forward. I have installed two honking strong anchors on each side of the fridge and equally strong straps that connect them across the double doors. If the fridge tilts now it will have to bring the walls with it. I believe it is now more secure than it was with the OEM choice of a 1/2” panel of wood installed vertically between the top of the fridge and the top of the slide. This isn’t something an OEM would consider because it’s not “pretty”, but it will definitely work.
-- Edited by RonC on Friday 3rd of May 2019 08:25:34 PM
-- Edited by RonC on Saturday 4th of May 2019 09:26:32 PM
-- Edited by RonC on Saturday 4th of May 2019 09:26:53 PM
-- Edited by RonC on Monday 6th of May 2019 01:14:44 PM
RonC said
01:17 PM May 6, 2019
Made a move yesterday ... many mountains (9% grades) and lots of swerving roads ... a good test for the "new" refrigerator security system. When we arrived, the straps were still just as tight as when we left (indicates that there was no rocking). So first run was a success. Just letting everyone who expressed interest and offered help what the outcome was.
-- Edited by RonC on Monday 6th of May 2019 01:20:57 PM
Den-Bev said
06:53 AM May 28, 2019
I put a inertube between the top of fridge and roof also screw some webbing strap to back wall then attached them to the hinge screws. To stop doors open more webbing with snaps like thoes on shopping carts.
On our last leg, our refrigerator (Samsung residential) tipped out about a foot. This was due to it rocking past a vertical board at the back of the refrigerator, which was supposed to prevent this. However, once it happened (the overlap between the vertical board and back of fridge was too small), I could not get it go back under that board. The only way I got it back to vertical was to move that board to the side, allowing the back of the fridge to slip back into place. That vertical board is now gone, so I need to come up with a way to keep my refrigerator in it's place when we move. I'm envisioning some straps that will be "moving day" straps that are removed at arrival. However, the collective wisdom here is impressive and some of you may have already crossed this bridge and have solved the issue. Looking for some advice.
Thanks for the thoughts and suggestions. It is hard to accurately describe what I’ve got, but here goes. The back of the fridge is about 2” from the back of the slide it is in. There are two robust lag bolts thru the front casters that attach to the floor of the slide, so zero chance of it tilting backwards. The only risk is tilting forward. I have installed two honking strong anchors on each side of the fridge and equally strong straps that connect them across the double doors. If the fridge tilts now it will have to bring the walls with it. I believe it is now more secure than it was with the OEM choice of a 1/2” panel of wood installed vertically between the top of the fridge and the top of the slide. This isn’t something an OEM would consider because it’s not “pretty”, but it will definitely work.
-- Edited by RonC on Friday 3rd of May 2019 08:25:34 PM
-- Edited by RonC on Saturday 4th of May 2019 09:26:32 PM
-- Edited by RonC on Saturday 4th of May 2019 09:26:53 PM
-- Edited by RonC on Monday 6th of May 2019 01:14:44 PM
Made a move yesterday ... many mountains (9% grades) and lots of swerving roads ... a good test for the "new" refrigerator security system. When we arrived, the straps were still just as tight as when we left (indicates that there was no rocking). So first run was a success. Just letting everyone who expressed interest and offered help what the outcome was.
-- Edited by RonC on Monday 6th of May 2019 01:20:57 PM