Tilting Fridge

[tournay51]

Hi

Our fridge keeps on tilting backwards whilst in transit. We've tried removing and replacing/tightening the screws which hold it in place but as the wooden surround is so thin we're very limited on size of screw we can use and this fix is only short-lived.

The fridge still works when it's tilted but obviously it shouldn't be at such an angle!!!

Can anyone suggest what else we could try? We are a little nervous about trying to pull the fridge out as we are unsure how much 'play' there is on the gas/electric cables and pipework.

 

[Robtel]

We are a little nervous about trying to pull the fridge out as we are unsure how much 'play' there is on the gas/electric cables and pipework.

I am also " a little nervous" about how much play there is particularly on the gas connections, could you possibly be already comprimising your safety with the movement of the fridge? Personally, if it were me in your position I would be getting this looked at by someone properly qualified to do so just for peace of mind.
Hope you find a solution soon.
Robert

 

[ValA.]

I'd agree - time to have someone qualified to check out what's going on. Gas safety needs to be taken seriously.

 

[ProfJohnL]

100% agree with the coments so far.

Dont use the van untill it has been fully checked out and corrected by a qualified gas fitter.

 

[tournay51]

I think everyone may have gone off on a tangent with regard to gas!

My original question was how to fix the tilt on my fridge. The gas issue was around pulling out the fridge from it's housing.

Any advice on how the secure the fridge in place so it stops moving would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Ian4624]

Have I missed it or have you not stated your 'van make and model and the make and model of the 'fridge. I had the 'fridge on our old musketeer out once to clean the flue. I also had to dismount the oven to fit a heat deflector between it and the wall as whoever had fitted it had neglected to do so and the wall was slowly charring. It was a standing on my head job to trace the gas pipes but dismantling the joints and re-making with new olives was relatively easy. Then check for leaks with soapy water squirted on the joints from a washing up bottle. (Soapy water, not the washing up liquid) I have a "gaslow" dual input regulator with pressure gauge fitted on my 'van which shows if pressure is dropping in the gas system after turning the gas on at the bottle then turning it off and having all other gas appliances switched off. If you have ever replaced brake pipes on a car you should be able sort out the gas pipes. Just be careful and methodical. So, I would suggest tracing the 'fridge gas supply pipe from fridge back to the 'fridge gas off tap. Disconnect the pipe and try to pull the fridge out. It sounds as if there is a support missing from somewhere.

 

[Damian]

Without knowing the make of van and make and model of fridge it is not possible to give any useful advice as different makes have different alternatives.
As for people "going off on one" regarding gas, if the fridge is moving then in all possibility it is moving the gas pipe as well, which can fracture.
"Going off on one" is the only way to try and ensure that you dont cause , or are the cause of a larger problem.
Gas safety is not to be taken lightly, LPG is probably the worst gas to work with for many reasons.

 

[TerryIvybridge]

As for securing the fridge. Try some hard plastic tubing with the inside diameter ot the fixing screws, and drill out/clean-up the holes in the wooden sides to accept the outside diameter of the tubing. Cutting the length of tubing the same thickness of the casing, will/should bring about a solid fixing IMO. Surely the gas supply pipe is bound to be a flexible one that would allow fridge removal. how else could it be fitted ?

 

[Damian]

The gas pipes to all caravan appliances are NOT flexible, they are of drawn copper tube, and on older vans had some degree of movement allowed by having a loop of pipe, but on new vans (since about 2004) they are rigidly fixed.
Age makes the older pipe more brittle and movement can easily fracture it or kink it .
Braided flexible pipework is not permitted under any circumstances.

 

[ProfJohnL]

It is not without good reason that Damian and others including myself are acutely concerned about gas safety.

Having worked in the industry and had to deal with the aftermath of ill informed tinkering with gas appliances, I cannot condone any practice that allows a dangerous condition to remain unchecked.

As with all mechanical systems, gas installation will deteriorate over time. That is especially true where movement can occur between components such as the fridge and the gas carcass in the OP's caravan.

It is folly in the extreme to ignore such movement, as for the reasons already expressed there is a considerable risk of pipe fracture, or the couplings working loose. The net outcome is a gas leak.

LPG butane or propane is highly searching, and it will leak through microscopic hole that air at the same pressure would not pass. Being heavier than air, the gas will collect at the lowest point, and unless it is properly vented it may collect in sufficient quantity to create and explosion hazard or at lest as a combustible mass.

All work on gas systems private or otherwise must meet the performance standards laid down in the agreed standards.

A badly fitted appliance or one that has become loose fails in that respect.

These standards are not there to make things difficult, they are there for safety. Do you want to play with the lives of your family?

I repeat. Do not use the caravan until the gas system has been repaired and fully tested by a competent fitter.

 

[Dustydog]

In addition to all the words of wisdom you should also isolate the gas supply to the fridge. It should have its own gas tap.

Anyway what make and model is it?

 

[tournay51]

Apologies if I have upset anyone with my previous update - this is my first forray into Forums.
I was unaware of the potential safety issues, mainly as this fridge movement has occured on and off since we purchased the van 4 years ago - (2001 Sterling Europa 520). It has been serviced and the fridge in particular has been looked at and serviced by several caravan engineers but unfortunately no-one has been able to provide us with a permanent fix.

 

[Damian]

Quote " has been looked at and serviced by several caravan engineers but unfortunately no-one has been able to provide us with a permanent fix."

Then I must say they are not very good at their job.
I am almost certin that your fridge will be a stepped model which is inherantly top heavy, which if not supported in the right place, will tip backwards.
It should have a stabilising batten fixed to the floor at the rear edge of the fridge cabinet, and there should be battens down each side in which to screw the 4 fixing screws into from inside the fridge.
In extreme circumstances the fixings have to be put in th eopposite way, from the outside in towards the fridge, but this is not the recommended method as the screws are visible.

The fridge also needs room sealing to prevent any combustion gas entering the body of the van.

I must add that far from upsetting anyone, you have done the right thing by asking, and hopefully have learnt something from the exchange of postings.
The overiding consideration as far as caravans is concerned is your safety and that of your family and other site users.
The last year in particular has been pretty disaterous as far as fatalities on sites, and the very last thing anyone on this forum wants is for you to become a statistic.

 

[tournay51]

Just wanted to thank everyone for all the advice on my tilting fridge.
I have had a service engineer out to the van today and he has secured the fridge so it doesn't move any more. More importantly he checked the gas pipework behind the fridge and confirmed it is all fine.

 

[tournay51]

Just wanted to thank everyone for all the advice on my tilting fridge.
I have had a service engineer out to the van today and he has secured the fridge so it doesn't move any more. More importantly he checked the gas pipework behind the fridge and confirmed it is all fine.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Tournay,
Thank you for the update.

Just for the record, I don't think you upset anyone. We'd rather you asked a question than doing something that may later come back to haunt you.

Enjoy your caravanning.

 

[TerryIvybridge]

As for securing the fridge. Try some hard plastic tubing with the inside diameter ot the fixing screws, and drill out/clean-up the holes in the wooden sides to accept the outside diameter of the tubing. Cutting the length of tubing the same thickness of the casing, will/should bring about a solid fixing IMO. Surely the gas supply pipe is bound to be a flexible one that would allow fridge removal. how else could it be fitted ?

Hi, just an update regarding my earlier post and in order to "set things straight" I offered this reply in all honesty, because several months ago, I had a problem with my fridge door catching on the bottom as it closed. One of our members suggested adding a washer at the hinge, raising the door in relation to the fridge. Only way to carry out this was to pull out the fridge enough to remove the door, about 6 to 9". Once the small washer was put in place, the door works fine. So that was an ideal way to overcome the problem. This brings me to believing that the gas supply pipe must be a flexible one as there was absolutely no resistance as the fridge came forward. Now that I have worked out how to remove the outer grilles, easy I must say once you know the secret (wink)! I can see that I can understand the moderators concern. Fortunately,the way the hard pipe is routed, there was sufficient play that enabled the fridge to move forward. Everything has now been checked out and all in order. I'm pleased that I took note of the Mods comments and I'm confident that all is well.