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Ryan Robinson takes you for a ride in the passenger seat of his RV, off the grid, deep among the dramatic rock formations of the Utah Desert. Robinson and friends chill by the fire, tell stories, and of course, rig a one of a kind highline over the Looking Glass Arch in Moab, UT.
7 RV Refrigerator Tips And Tricks (From An Expert)
RV refrigerators will operate very efficiently if you apply these simple tips and tricks to help make the refrigerator’s job easier and less demanding.
Preventative maintenance is key to keeping your RV running smoothly on the road. Here are some fairly simple tips and tricks that will help your RV refrigerator operate at maximum efficiency.
First and foremost, your RV must be fairly level for the refrigerator to operate properly. Older RV refrigerators require more precise leveling, but even newer models need to be close to level for optimum performance.
Over time, a cooling unit operated out of level can be permanently damaged. When you set up at the campground, use a carpenter’s level to ensure your RV is close to level front-to-rear and side-to-side. It doesn’t need to be perfect, but close.
#2: Proper RV Operation and Storage
The initial cool-down process can take 4 to 6 hours. I recommend turning the refrigerator on the day before you plan to leave for a trip, and before you put any food in it. When you put food in the refrigerator it should already be cold, and food put in the freezer should already be frozen. Adding already cold food, rather than warm food, lets the refrigerator work more efficiently.
One common mistake that RVers make is over-packing the refrigerator. There needs to be space between the foods for air to circulate throughout the refrigerator compartment. Keep this in mind when you’re stocking your RV ahead of a trip and plan to restock as necessary along the way. Unless you’re going off the grid for weeks, most RVers stock up for a 2- to 3-day supply at a time.
Photo courtesy: Installing a refrigerator fan in your RV fridge can help reduce the initial cool-down time
#3: Keep An Eye On Air Circulation
Purchase an inexpensive battery-operated refrigerator fan to keep air circulating in your RV fridge. Install the batteries in the fan and place the fan in the front refrigerator compartment blowing upwards. The fan will improve the refrigerator’s efficiency by circulating the air and it helps reduce the initial cool-down time by 50 percent.
#4: Check Your Vents
The heat created by the cooling process from your RV fridge is vented behind the refrigerator. Air enters through the outside refrigerator vent and helps draft the hot air up and out through the roof vent. Periodically inspect the back of the refrigerator and the roof vent for any obstructions like bird nests, leaves, or other debris that might prevent the excess heat from escaping.
#5: Install A Refrigerator Vent Fan
To keep your RV fridge efficiently running, install a 12-volt, thermostatically-controlled refrigerator vent fan at the back of the refrigerator, or the top of the roof vent. The fan assists in drafting the hot air away from the refrigerator.
If you’re mechanically inclined, these fans are fairly simple to install, or you can have your RV dealer install one for you. (Either way, it’s worth it.) The fan removes the heat from behind the refrigerator, improving your RV fridge’s performance by up to 40 percent. Some new RVs come with a fan already installed, so check with your dealer or consult your RV manual.
Photo courtesy: Make sure to park in the shade when it’s extremely hot out to keep temps cool inside your RV and help your cooling system (including your RV fridge) work more efficiently.
#6: Adjust For The Weather
The outside temperature also affects the operation and efficiency of your RV refrigerator. When it’s cold outside you might need to lower the temperature setting and when it’s hot outside you might need to raise the setting.
Extremely hot weather will directly affect the refrigerator’s efficiency. When it’s really hot, outside try parking the RV in the shade, especially the side the refrigerator is on. Some RV refrigerators are preset by the manufacturer and you can’t manually adjust the temperature.
#7: Monitor Temps
Last but certainly not least, you should always keep a thermometer in the food compartment. Food can begin to spoil at temperatures above 40 degrees. A small thermometer will let you know at a glance if your RV is operating efficiently.
Mark Polk and his wife Dawn created RV Education 101, a video production and RV information company. Since 1999, RV Education 101 has helped educate millions of RV owners and RV enthusiasts on how to properly and safely use and maintain their RVs. Mark’s favorite past times are RVing in their 35-foot Type A motorhome with their two dogs Gracie and Roxie, and restoring vintage RVs, classic cars and trucks. For more information on using, enjoying and maintaining your RV, visit RV Education 101.
