Different fridge question
Submitted: Monday, Feb 19, 2007 at 06:34
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Dave198
G'day all,
I am contemplating a camper trailer and have a question to throw to those of you who have experience with these things.
I already have an Engel fridge which lives on a spring base in my car.
I bought the base to supposedly look after the fridge and not have it jarring around in the back of the car.
Now, what do I see on many camper trailers?
A fridge mounted on the drawbar of the trailer.
I reckon it would be better for MY health sitting on a spring base in the car rather than galloping along tied to the drawbar of a trailer.
What about the fridges health?
Am I right in assuming these fridges on the drawbar are just anchored down in a box or have they got some shock absorbing device under them.
What's the life expectancy of a fridge riding sidesaddle on the drawbar?
Dave
Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Monday, Feb 19, 2007 at 07:04
Monday, Feb 19, 2007 at 07:04
Interesting post Dave,
I also used to have my Engel mounted on a spring base, which came free with the fridge when I bought it.
The I bought a roller to help move it when full and as this mounts underneath and to the rear of the fridge, the spring base got the flick.
Now the fridge sits on a slide on the top of the Drawer system and only the vehicle
suspension provides some "give".
I have wondered myself what happens to the fridge sitting on a rigid draw bar, albeit inside a box. I suspect the modern ones are designed to take this shock treatment.
Maybe a query to Engel by phone or email may pacify your concerns.
AnswerID:
222605
Reply By: Wingwang - Monday, Feb 19, 2007 at 07:45
Monday, Feb 19, 2007 at 07:45
the Engel shot itself 5 weeks into our trip.
bought a Waeco from the Fridgeshop in Brissie and carry in back of vehicle
new Waeco close 1/2 price to Engel repair
AnswerID:
222608
Follow Up By: Member - Jason S (SA) - Monday, Feb 19, 2007 at 10:31
Monday, Feb 19, 2007 at 10:31
you still got the old Engel??
How much you want for it ??
FollowupID:
483477
Follow Up By: Crackles - Monday, Feb 19, 2007 at 14:18
Monday, Feb 19, 2007 at 14:18
I find it ironic Winwang that after you blow up your Engel that you go to a
shop that specializes in selling rebirthed fridges that have been damaged or returned under warrenty once already :-))
Cheers Craig..............
Autofridge.
FollowupID:
483515
Follow Up By: Wingwang - Monday, Feb 19, 2007 at 20:20
Monday, Feb 19, 2007 at 20:20
Jason gave it to the fridge repair
shop who fit new German compressors like Waeco for Meals on Wheels deliveries.
Crackles the fridge bought from the Fridgeshop was brand new factory sealed carton.
FollowupID:
483574
Reply By: spliney - Monday, Feb 19, 2007 at 11:16
Monday, Feb 19, 2007 at 11:16
Dave
I have a 60L Trailblaza on the drawbar. The manufacturer told me that the army mounted them directly on the backs of tanks without cushioning! They were happy for me to mount it anywhere I liked.
In my case, I put it in an ally box, on wooden battens with rubber cushioning - to allow air flow under. I also mounted an extractor fan to pull hot air out of the box when driving.
So far - no probs.
Regards
Spliney
AnswerID:
222639
Reply By: Ron173 - Monday, Feb 19, 2007 at 12:10
Monday, Feb 19, 2007 at 12:10
My Engel is straight onto the transit slide which isnt sprung, and it sits in the back of my ute, gets a fair old bouncing around when its rough, and is none the worse.
What is there to break with vibration? comp sealed, fan is about only moving part.
Ron
AnswerID:
222647
Reply By: Crackles - Monday, Feb 19, 2007 at 14:24
Monday, Feb 19, 2007 at 14:24
If you have coil
suspension on your camper I'd suggest the ride on the drawbar would be softer than in the back of your car directly above the rear springs. Spring bases are ideally suited to being mounted in rough riding vehicles (leaf springs etc) where I believe in most modern cars & quality trailers there is less shock on a fridge if its' mounted firmly.
Cheers Craig............
Autofridge on slide.
AnswerID:
222673
Follow Up By: Member - Pesty (SA) - Monday, Feb 19, 2007 at 18:48
Monday, Feb 19, 2007 at 18:48
What a load of dribble,
Not all leaf sprung vehicles are harsh, and plenty of coil ones are, and if you have ever followed a coil sprung camper it bounces around as much as any leaf sprung unit.
The fact that they are mounted on the drawbar, just behind the hitch, means that they dont bounce very much at all, bit like the difference in riding in the front of a bus against riding in the back of the bus.
I suspect the only part that would break due to vibration would be the flexing of a gas pipe from the compressor up into the cabinet, which in time might crack letting the gas go.
My waeco has been riding everyday in the back of my cruiser for over 4 years on many rough roads etc, for about 230,000k and nothing broken yet.
Its mounted to a steel slide , bolted to the floor.
Cheers Pesty
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