Community Forums

winniman · 02-19-2013, 08:05 PM

Going to newfoundland this year.

The ferry ride is at least 6 hours long. Any special techniques for keeping food cold. They wont let you run your propane on the ferry and I dont think my fridge runs on the batteries.

thanks

vsheetz · 02-19-2013, 08:08 PM

Got inverter? Bag of ice in the refrig?

KIX · 02-19-2013, 08:21 PM

A couple of days before you go freeze a gallon or two of water in jugs and put them in the reefer. Or if it's not hot and the rv is in shade you probably will be okay with just leaving the door closed.

Kayjulia · 02-19-2013, 08:27 PM

I would get the fridge and its contents as cold as it would go before boarding the ferry. Then make absolutely sure the fridge doors are closed tight. Don't open the doors until after you get ashore. The fridge temperature should stay in the safe range until then.

I have inadvertently left my reefer off for four hours or more and the contents stayed cool and safe. I wouldn't be concerned even if things don't work out Canada has some fine grocery stores, but I don't think you'll need them right away

**CLIFFTALL** · 02-20-2013, 04:56 AM

I took the 14 hour Ferry going and the 6 hour returning. We took a bag of ice split in two and placed one on top on one on bottom and had a few smaller bags if ice in the freezer. We planned on this and whittled down the contents and restocked there.
You will love it there. The people are by far the nicest we've ever met. A few have since visited us here in Fl. You may remember when planes were diverted to Gander on 9/11, these people came out in droves to offer assistance to the stranded passengers.
Cliff

tchester · 02-20-2013, 05:05 AM

Maybe a stupid question but I'll ask it anyway. I understand not having an open flame but could you run a diesel generator and run the fridge?

Guess if the parking area is below decks you couldn't?

**CLIFFTALL** · 02-20-2013, 05:07 AM

It is below decks.

Cliff

Triker56 · 02-20-2013, 05:37 AM

Blue Ice will work to keep refrigerator part cooled for several hours.

I used it every day traveling, when I had a residential frig in a MH.

michelb · 02-20-2013, 06:09 AM

As others mentioned, the biggest thing is don't open it if at all possible. Freezing water bottles works very well too (we've done that a bunch of times too when our fridge wasn't working properly) - with enough ice bottles, you can probably open it a bit too and it won't really matter.

**CLIFFTALL** · 02-20-2013, 06:35 AM

You're not allowed to stay in rig. You can visit to walk the dog. So opening it up shouldn't be an issue.
Cliff

Hikerdogs · 02-20-2013, 06:45 AM

We've done both the 6 hr and the 17 hr ferry (delayed because of limited docking space) without doing anything to the refrigerator other than closing the door and shutting it off. Keeping the door closed isn't a problem. Everyone is required to leave the motorhome and go up into the main passenger area.

The doors to the vehicle decks are locked. Once under way you can only enter the area with permission from the captain and an escort. They want to be sure everyone remains safe so there's no entry if there are high seas or the possibilithy of water leaking into the area. Several of us were able to convince the captain to let us go down with an escort to let our dogs out about half way through the long ferry ride.

Should there be any problems with high seas or water getting in the vehicle area

Abclipper · 02-20-2013, 06:57 AM

One poster on this thread said you can go back to your unit while underway this not true you are not allowed back to your unit for any reason even if you have a pet on board so going to check your fridge would be out I'm sure

**CLIFFTALL** · 02-20-2013, 07:06 AM

In 2003 there was specific times when they opened the deck for you to check on or walk your pet. Maybe ( but I would doubt it ) they've changed this.
Cliff