Community Forums

Lug_Nut · 08-14-2011, 09:29 AM

Refridgerators for motor homes are generally 3 way, 12 VDC, 120 VAC and propane. As these are designed for the RV application and the associated movement, they have a latch that must be operated to open the door. However, with many all electric coaches employing residential frig's no such latches are present, only a magnetic door hold. On these a manual lock is used to assure the door stays closed during travel time. Well, one must remember to engage this lock both at the outset of travelling and during. Well, it was locked at the outset. During the drive my wife accessed the frig at least twice during the day's travel. Apparently not the last time. We were doing 70+ MPH and were negotiating a tight right bend when the crashing started. Bottles and jars flew out as the door swung wide open. Smashing on the floor and nothing we could do, at least until the curve straightened out. What a mess.

Are we the only people that have forgotten to lock this?

Looking at the latch, it seems that a micro switch could be installed and wired through the ignition to warn of unlatched frig during travel. You would not think this necessary, but this is the second time it has happened.

Peter

"007" · 08-14-2011, 10:24 AM

Here is a bunch of kids safety locks but may not work on 2 door fridge.
Here is another forum with same question.
More locks
Nothing Automatic guess you will have to design.

FlyingDiver · 08-14-2011, 01:27 PM

Yeah, Peter, we've done it. Our first solo foray from Newmar, when we were heading up to Elkhart to get the SMI AFO installed. Went around a corner, and the crashing started.

Biggest problem was the full jar of pickles that smashed on the tile floor.

Now, in our defense, we had never had any kind of RV before, and we knew nothing about refrigerator door locks. No kids, so never had to deal with child locks either.

BTW - Skid proof shelf liner on the shelves is a good thing.

Oh yeah - we also had a problem with the shelves themselves wanting to slide out. A couple of cable ties on the back of the shelves fixed that.

joe

jollyjim · 08-14-2011, 02:16 PM

Camping World sells spring loaded bars to use in the frig that will keep anything from falling out on the floor. When we had our Class A, the frig door came open and a full 1/2 gallon of Orange Juice went all over the kitchen and the floor, along with a 1/2 gallon of milk. Yuck. Sometimes, once you have stopped, when you open the frig, things will jump out at you. The bars from Camping World also stop this. Actually they are the same thing as spring loaded adjustable curtain rods only smaller with rubber tips.

Bjsrv · 08-14-2011, 02:22 PM

The spring loaded bars work great as long as they are adjusted properly. Did I read 70+ mph? In a turn?

Tallyrver · 08-14-2011, 02:30 PM

On our last rv we had the spring loaded bars from Camping World , worked great .I tried to find some that would fit the new Frig ,but it is wider and they did not have any. DW is going to see if Wally world has any curtain rods that may work. The problem I have is when I open the door after traveling ,stuff wants to fall out

Wayne

RVNeophytes2 · 08-14-2011, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bjsrv

Did I read 70+ mph? In a turn?

I was grinning, envisioning the bartender version of Bullet!

DW says she's seen bungees on these units. Dunno if that'd work for your design.

Nuge · 08-14-2011, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lug_Nut

Looking at the latch, it seems that a micro switch could be installed and wired through the ignition to warn of unlatched frig during travel. You would not think this necessary, but this is the second time it has happened.

Peter

With all the fancy electrical and electronic circuits in a motor home do you REALLY want another sensor to go bad? A lot of people use checklists for leaving home, leaving the campground, etc. I wish I had seen the tip about leaving the ignition keys hanging on the antenna crank to remind you it's up BEFORE I got mine torn off by a tree..

Lug_Nut · 08-14-2011, 05:41 PM

Quote "Did I read 70+ mph? In a turn? " Well...............Yeh, but it was a semi banked high speed curve.

Yes, the check list works, we never forget to have it intitially locked, it's what's happen while travelling accessing the frig a couple of times.

Peter

Route 66 · 08-14-2011, 05:49 PM

Well......nobody questioned it. They all must know you!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lug_Nut

Quote "Did I read 70+ mph? In a turn? " Well...............Yeh, but it was a semi banked high speed curve.

Peter

Lug_Nut · 08-15-2011, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyingDiver

Yeah, Peter, we've done it. Our first solo foray from Newmar, when we were heading up to Elkhart to get the SMI AFO installed. Went around a corner, and the crashing started.

Biggest problem was the full jar of pickles that smashed on the tile floor.

Now, in our defense, we had never had any kind of RV before, and we knew nothing about refrigerator door locks. No kids, so never had to deal with child locks either.

BTW - Skid proof shelf liner on the shelves is a good thing.

Oh yeah - we also had a problem with the shelves themselves wanting to slide out. A couple of cable ties on the back of the shelves fixed that.

joe

Hi Joe, Been There Broke That! Yeh, we had 1 large unopen dill pickle and two jam jars that all smashed on the floor. It smelled like a deli in here for sometime.

There was also glass pieces everywhere, we are still discovering them.

Peter

Lane · 08-15-2011, 04:43 AM

The Amigos had an emergency teleconference late last evening to discuss this event and formulate a response. First, we want to extend our sincere condolences. We want to but we won't. How in the world could someone in your prestigious status possibly allow something like this to happen? Uh? But you didn't allow this to happen, your wife is the culprit! We all know, love and respect your wife but it's time for you to "man-up" and name names. Additionally, cwg is very concerned about post event trama (glass not cleaned up), Paul was disappointed that you were only going 70 and my concern is the status of any adult beverages that could have been involved.
Over and out.
Your friends and followers - The Amigos

Brigadoon · 08-15-2011, 10:41 AM

We considered velcro, latches, electronic switching and monitoring, and a refrigerator door watchdog. Finally decided on a simple $1.00 fix- a bandana tied around the handles. Works great. Anyone getting into the fridge has to untie the bandana which also serves as a reminder to retie the bandana around the handles.

We use a square knot to secure the door.

Of course all onboard personnel had to go thru square knot training to make this a success!

Iron Man · 08-15-2011, 02:11 PM

Peter check the latch. It is held to the refrigerator with double sided tape. You should go on and replace the tape. Ours gave out last summer. Also like the idea of a bandanda tied around the door handles. We entered a flying J in Alabama and the height difference between road and the entrance caused the whole refrigerator to tilt forward from the top. The shift of the refrigerator was enough to overpower the latch and cause the doors to open. When you check the tape look at how the refrigerator is held in place.