Winter storage of a fridge

[adehaan86]

I received the camper from a dealership this past week. He recommeded for winter storage to cover the vents for the fridge. I have the vent on the roof and the vent right behind the fridge . He says small change but snow can get down there and pack on top of each other then when top melts first it will flow into RV.

Anyone do anything about this or this such a small chance of happening?

Also would it just be easier to run fridge for a day after each snow storm so the heat melts from bottom up ?

["007"]

All the TT's and motor homes never had a problem with vents and snow filling up behind the fridge.
You can tape them up but your probably going to make it warmer for the mice.

[adehaan86]

Quote:

Originally Posted by "007" All the TT's and motor homes never had a problem with vents and snow filling up behind the fridge. You can tape them up but your probably going to make it warmer for the mice.

Since you look very experienced with this forum you recommended a forum that I can read to keep mice out?

I just bought brand new RV and unsure if i have to worry since it's new.

[sknight]

Biggest thing is don't leave anything at all for them to eat. Nothing. Since the trailer is pretty much the same temp as the outside air it's generally not warm enough for them. No food gives them no incentive at all.

[adehaan86]

I know food is one thing they look for and another to get out of the cold. I guess with -13 tonight. I hope they found there home.

[NLOVNIT]

I can't help you with the fridge vent questions as our RV's have always been covered. As for the keeping out mice, as others said, don't leave anything inside that might attract them. For extra deterrent, some people scatter moth balls around, others dryer sheets, others leave d-con, others stuff steel wool in any openings they might try to get in through (supposedly mice can't chew through steel wool), still others (who keep their RV's plugged into electric) use those sonic emitters that give off a frequency that deters rodents.

I've always used the dryer sheets. I get a bulk box at Sam's Club & put them in everything, inside & out. We've never had a mice problem in 10 years of RV winter storage. I can't say if we've just been lucky or if it really is the smell of the dryer sheets, but at least the coach does smell really nice when we open it up come spring.

Lori-

[Mopar1973Man]

Like my TT is sitting out uncovered and will remain uncovered this winter. But I've out doing service to the TT and checking over everything as it would snow and such. So far I've not seen any snow or even moisture in the refriderator chimney area... dry as a bone... I've already had 12-15 inches of snow and temps as low as +2*F above. Either I'm paying way too much attention to things or I missed something...

[adehaan86]

Really i don't think the fridge will be a problem I just think that it is being extra safe.

[webslave]

I think, IMHO, that it is a little "over the top" to worry about snow in the fridge vents. It would have to blow sideways, for quite some time for any snow to go in the vents...they don't tell you to cover them when it is raining, do they? Same principle. Not enough rain can get in to cause a problem, certainly not enough snow will get in to cause a problem.

You should, however, use the door props to hold the doors open when the reefer is not in use to combat condensation and odors inside the refeer.

Never cover mine, rain or snow.

[adehaan86]

Thanks!. I just need to cover furnace vents

[NLOVNIT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by webslave ..You should, however, use the door props to hold the doors open when the reefer is not in use to combat condensation and odors inside the refeer.

The manual for our Norcold states differently. The doors are to be kept shut because leaving them open, even if empty, puts strain on the hinges & can cause the doors to sag over time leading to improper closure.

IMO, you are better off crumpling up newspapers or putting a couple Tupperware containers of activated charcoal inside to absorb any moisture/odors & close the doors. Be sure the inside is dry to begin with, of course.

Lori-

[adehaan86]

Dummy question. Charcoal like what I grill with?

[sknight]

Quote:

Originally Posted by adehaan86 Dummy question. Charcoal like what I grill with?

I'll probably end up corrected but I was told that the charcoal you can get at pet shops for aquariums does just fine and is available everywhere.

[unit]

Charcoal is charcoal - any will work. If you have briquettes then break a few up with a hammer before use. My refrigerator doors have a catch that can be used to hold the doors open about 1/4" for storage, which is convenient.