Outdoor Fridge question

[OurJayco]

We have an outdoor kitchen on our 314BDS and on this past camping trip, I decided to take out the drip tray under the freezer in the outdoor fridge.
My fridge is so close to the lift supports, I can not open the door enough to remove the drip tray. I could not even pull it out enough to wipe it dry.
My question is, did you move the fridge over or angle the fridge so you can get the door open enough to remove the tray?
What have you done to yours?
I know there are two screws in the back of the fridge and I can access them, but before I start drilling more holes to move, I am wonder how others have tackled this task.
I could remove the screw on the right and remove that bracket and take out the drip tray and put the fridge back in place, but not sure I want to this to many times.

[Camper_bob]

How about if you temporarily disconnect the lift supports? On the bottom bracket, there should be a metal clip, just pry it out A LITTLE, and pull the ball joint off. Assuming the hinge will allow the door to swing up higher, have a trusty assistant hold the door all the way up and you might get the clearance you need?

Just a thought...

[Jcatone]

I just defrost the fridge. Then put paper towels in the drip tray until all the water it out. Easier then taking off screws etc.

[OurJayco]

Originally Posted by Camper_bob

How about if you temporarily disconnect the lift supports? On the bottom bracket, there should be a metal clip, just pry it out A LITTLE, and pull the ball joint off. Assuming the hinge will allow the door to swing up higher, have a trusty assistant hold the door all the way up and you might get the clearance you need?

Just a thought...

That's an idea I have not considered.....

I'll try that tonight and let you know the outcome!!!
Thank you for the idea!!!

[3'senough]

Originally Posted by Jcatone

I just defrost the fridge. Then put paper towels in the drip tray until all the water it out. Easier then taking off screws etc.

+1

[rtbreeves]

Originally Posted by OurJayco

I'll try that tonight and let you know the outcome!!!

Never heard back from you on this -- Did you ever try this solution and did it fix your problem???

I too have the same issue on my outside fridge (cannot remove the drip tray due to the fridge door hitting the hydraulic extender). In the past I've been soaking up the thawed water with towels, but I'm looking to find a more "permanent" solution.

TIA for any info you can provide.

[Camper_bob]

Here's something else for you guys with this problem to consider: Can you re-configure the fridge door to open the other way? Some refers you can bolt the door on either side of the fridge body. Once you have the access you need, I would consider switching the hinges around so the fridge door opens away from the obstructions. If you could do it, and based on the pic above, this would allow you to swing the door out 180* and give you more access than you would ever need. And while it would be more of a PITA to access the fridge contents from the operating space of the kitchen, it would be a long term solution to your door clearance issues...

[OurJayco]

I took out one of the screws in back that secure the fridge yestereday when we returned from another camping trip.
I have found this to be the best so far.

Before removing the screw in the back, I removed the lift support on the left near the fridge and I still was not able to get enough clearance to remove the drip tray. It would come out with a lot of effort, but I was not going to force it out.

I have considered changing the door to open the other direction.

While I had one of the screws out, I looked at different options as far as securing the fridge. I tried to put the fridge at an angle, no luck. I tried moving the fridge as far to the right as possible, no luck.

I may end up changing the door to a right hand hinge instead of the current left hand hinge.