Just How Level does a Frdge need....???

[Boudreaux]

Reaching out to those with the experience.

We just completed our first HM trip. (four nights in Kerrville TX). Although the ground was dry, you could tell it was a little soft because of all the previous rains. When we first leveled our Greyhawk 29MV, it was a very easy accomplishment. (perfect zero bubble action)

By the next after noon, we noticed that the leveling bubbles left to right, and front to back were both out of the leveling range, so we again attempted to re-level. The re-leveling caused the left rear tires to almost come off the ground. So we left it at a half bubble level.

Now, my question:
"Just how level does the frig need to be, to operate properly". Half bubble, full bubble level..??? How much can I get away with, and not harm the Norcold frig ...???

[TWP723]

I think as long as you feel level and look fairly level, you should be ok. Try to stay within a half bubble or so. Years ago with older campers, you needed to be fairly level. But newer units aren't so picky. Afterall, some of these fridges are meant to be used while in motion and not all roads are level. The manual should state how many degrees "off level" you can be. Maybe 2 or 3 degrees side to side and about 6 degress front to back...not sure.

[The Logans]

Quarter bubble is fine on the newer units. Older fridges were much more demanding about level. Remember, always level to the freezer...

What I did was to put the bubble level in the freezer, then move the motorhome around in the driveway 'till the level in the freezer showed as level as I could get it (almost perfect).

Then, I put the level in the cab where I could see it from the drivers seat, and shimmed it a bit 'till it was level, then glued it down. Now I know that the level in the cab will always indicate that the fridge is level.

It's funny, but even though the rest of the motorhome may be a little off level, the fridge is perfect. When we first started RV'ing, I didn't understand that just because the RV was level, it didn't mean that the fridge was... and it's the fridge that has to be happy!

Happy and safe camping!

[hoppers4]

Here's the caution from a Norcold manual.

Comfortable vehicle leveling is well within the refrigerator’s
operating requirements of 3 degrees off
level side-to-side and 6 degrees off level front-to back
(looking at the front of the refrigerator). Continued
operation outside of these limits can result
in irreparable damage to the cooling system.

You'd have to do the math from there to get value in inches.

[troutslayer]

Originally Posted by hoppers4

Here's the caution from a Norcold manual.

Comfortable vehicle leveling is well within the refrigerator’s
operating requirements of 3 degrees off
level side-to-side and 6 degrees off level front-to back
(looking at the front of the refrigerator). Continued
operation outside of these limits can result
in irreparable damage to the cooling system.

You'd have to do the math from there to get value in inches.

I just looked up a calculator on the web and it shows that in an 8' wide RV the unit would have to be 5" out of level in order to be 3 degrees off??? Could that be right? If so...no worries!
My frig is on a 45 degree angle so I have no idea how to figure that one out .

[hoppers4]

Originally Posted by troutslayer

My frig is on a 45 degree angle so I have no idea how to figure that one out .

Oh man, algebra (or maybe that was trig, don't remember either) is way too far behind me to even go there!

As far as real world off level my way of thinking would be that you'd be hill climbing to such a degree that you wouldn't want to live with it. The real danger in being off level and doing fridge damage is temporarily parking somewhere for a couple of hours with the rig being severely off level. Somewhere I picked up the number of a half hour as being the nominal time limit for exceeding list levels. For me, if it was only a half hour at a severe list, I'd turn the fridge off.

[The Logans]

LOL... Thus the bubble that comes with each fridge. No math (thank goodness) involved!

[hoppers4]

Originally Posted by The Logans

LOL... Thus the bubble that comes with each fridge. No math (thank goodness) involved!

Oh Jeez, there ya go to makin it easy again . Sure beats the hell out of a slip stick.

[North of 49°]

To make it even easier: most smart phones come with a level app. Mostly useful for hanging pictures, but it does give you a degree readout showing how level the thing is that you are trying to measure.