Long live your RV refrigerator
Long live your RV refrigerator, treat this appliance poorly and you may be facing a large replacement bill sooner than you think. Getting the longest life for your RV refrigerator is very important. So what’s the important piece of information to know that will guarantee that your refrigeration unit lives a long life? When you level your trailer at the campsite you are not leveling the rig. You are leveling the refrigerator. The fact is it operates best when it’s on the level. It must be level to keep on running without damage.
Empire em81.9 True Blue 9-Inch Heavy-duty Magnetic Aluminum Torpedo Level
So how do you guarantee level?
If you have a used rig then you need to verify that the rig’s bubble levels are accurate. Your rig should have a set of levels on the side and front of the rig. These levels tend to be peel and stick so how do you know that their indication is correct? That’s where the setup/verification of the bubbles technique comes in. Let’s begin.
A Used RV
- The first thing you need to do is verify that your rig has bubble levels on the outside of the rig. These levels are usually located towards the front of the rig on the driver’s side.
- If your rig has levels, level the rig. I don’t mean get it close to level, I mean get it perfectly level.
- Add your spacers to the tires so that the bubbles on both levels are dead center on the rig. Now comes the acid test. You will find out if those levels are lying or if they are truthful.
- Go into the rig and open the freezer compartment and place a precision level on the freezer floor.
- Place the level in the direction of the rig and verify the bubble location.
- Then move the level perpendicular and verify that the bubble is centered perfectly in this direction.
If your precision level mirrors the outside levels you are golden. Every time you park and level the rig your outside bubbles will tell you how close your rig is from perfection in leveling the refrigerator. If your RV is new it’s almost the same technique as a used rig.
A New RV
If your RV is new check to see if it has levels on the outside follow the procedure for a used rig. If it does not have levels follow this procedure.
- Enter the RV and open the freezer compartment and place a precision level on the freezer floor.
- Place the level in the direction of the rig and verify the bubble location.
- Go outside and start leveling your rig in the cross direction(driver/passenger sides) first to get the level bubble to dead center.
- Then adjust the RV’s level in the other direction. Remember this leveling job is going to be perfect(adjust your spacers to get to this state) so take your time.
- Once your precision level bubble is dead center in both directions clean the surface area where you will attach your new RV levels with the appropriate cleaner.
- Allow the surface to dry.
- Peel and stick the level in your desired location being sure that the bubble reflects dead center. Verify that the right level is in the proper location. Some level sets are marked for proper location(see below).
- Verify your work, outside and inside should both be in the same location
From a question about Hopkins 08526 Never Fade Two Way Graduated Level
Question: Two scales are showing. Which scale is for which direction?
Answer: Patricia, If you will look closely at the scale on each level. To the far left, next to the 7, you will see either a “C” or a “3”. The one with the “C” is to be mounted on the side of the RV and the one with the 3 is to be mounted on the front or back. Hope this helps you.
By KEVIN C. on September 23, 2016, https://www.amazon.com/Hopkins-08526-Never-Graduated-Level/dp/B00CXBAJBO
Which is the best level to use?
The best level for the outside is the largest level with degree marks. The longer the distance for the bubble to travel the better the end result of your leveling endeavor. I like the degree marks because they will indicate how much material needs to go under the tire. It becomes really easy to determine just how much material to add to each side of your rig to get the bubble on dead center.
Rather than carry a torpedo level I use a bullseye level that I carry in the fridge at all times. I like it, it is small, easy to throw into the bottom of the freezer for a quick check of my leveling job. Its accuracy is verified only once when I checked the outside levels soon after I purchased this new to me rig. I use it to check that the outside levels have not moved.
Anytime you park your rig it is in your best interest to really level the unit. Take the extra time to make sure that those bubbles are dead center and long live your RV refrigerator.
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