Fridge on Tow Bar

Lynn

I was just about to answer on the effect of all that weight on the drawbar has on towing, when I thought no - I won't deliver another sermon.

But then decided against it when I read the thread "tragedy north of Alice" three threads down.

Please note, and to all out there, it is a fact that a badly loaded trailer will start to swerve at speeds (death wobble) It happens suddenly, and more often than not t is due to too much weight up front.

I have spoken to manufacturers at the shows etc. and a few admitted to me that it was not ideal to have all the storage compartments and fridges on the drawbar, but that they had to react based on customer demand only to keep up with KKamper etc.

Please keep your weight balanced.

CJ

Hi Lynne,
CJ has an excellent point, Especially if you are not experienced with towing.
I think that you may also have problems due to heat if you have it in an enclosed box.
All fridges need air flow to prevent them from overheating.
They will work much more efficiently if they have this air flow.
I suggest that you talk to a fridge tech and I would think very seriously about CJ's comments.
I hope you have a wonderful time with your new camp trailer.

Regards
Steve

LynnB
If you do have to have a fridge on the draw bar, as mentioned the loading aspect is very important.
The fridge however, can be used in a box which has positive ventilation provided by a computer fan which must run 24/7 to prevent the fridge from wallowing in a pool of hot air. Also requires car air filter quality filtering to prevent dust ingress.

death wobbles dont just happen on single axle trailers.
they also happen to tandem trailers ESPECIALY on ones that have the slippers. or eye to eye setup.
the rocker setup is by far the best setup.

ive towed a eye to eye set up, 14hrs heavily loaded and i couldnt get to a 100, if i went over, the trailer nearly took me off the road!! and this was in the WET..
it was a massive long road trip.
the eye to eye should be BANNED on tandem trailers!! when regoed.
no way of the axles sharing the load, between the front and rear!!.

Plenty of campers with fridges on drawbars. Our Camp-o-matic had one. It was o.k. but I abandoned it for a number of reasons.
1. Had a fridge already in the ute and found I was trying to run 2 fridges for no reason.
2. The camper fridge was and upright waeco which is not very space efficient
3. Recharging the camper batteries with a fridge running off them took some time.

Dust etc is a non event on the quality trailers. More dust got in our car than in the trailer.

KK, campomatic etc in the top of the range models will run you to 300k.g. of ballweight. The only counterbalance in them is the 120l water tank, and when it's empty you sure know about it.

Excessive for a small trailer, yes. Dangerous on a vehicle that's designed for 300 k.g. ballweight - no. Too much weight behind the towed axle is what you need to worry about, and these simply don't have the ability to be overloaded in that way.

I'll stay clear of the wobbles debate ,but a couple of thoughts on the fridge location..
You may require new wiring from the alternator to the trailer...undersized wiring..??
fridge wont perform...6 AWG minimum.
If you go on a day trip you dont have your fridge..unless you have two.
If you leave the trailer, & dont have 240v (or gas) fridge will flatten camper battery.
Fridge subject to all shock/vibration etc that trailer may produce..better ride in car.
Easy access to fridge while travelling. Dust may be an issue. Unwise to operate
fridge in a "sealed box", ventilation is essential......cheers...oldbaz.

I'll throw in another question.
Has the trailer Drawbar (A Frame) been engineered to carry the additional weight and still comply to ADR 62/01 ?
I know plenty of travellers add box's etc to drawbars, but are they safe, and are they legal?
Ozjohn.