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What's the best way to haul a refrigerator?
jimdeere
Member, Moderator Posts: 26,160 ******
Wife wants to go look at a used refrigerator on marketplace. If she buys it, it'll be me who has to get it home in one piece. I always heard you can't lay refrigerators on their side, right?
Comments
That is my understanding. Stand it up in the pickup, and tie it down good.
Welll.... maybe. If at all possible transport it upright. In an emergency it can be transported on its side. If you have to do this try to make sure the compressor is on the side opposite of where the refrigerant lines come out. You want to at least minimize any oil draining out of the compressor into those lines. If you have to transport it that way let it stand upright at least 24 hours before plugging it in so any oil can drain back to the compressor. Or better yet call a local appliance store and see if they know of a mover. My friend that owns a small appliance store contracts his deliveries with some guys that deliver for several different businesses. Bob
Laying the fridge down is quite acceptable, just let is stand upright for awhile, as said before so the oil will drain out of the lines.
Someone else doing it is the best way.
At a minimum, have an appliance dolly with you. My preference is always to have someone else do it though.
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
Standing up is BEST but if that is not an option, you can lay it on its back or sides. If layed down, open the fridge and turn it off at the thermostat. That will keep the compressor from turning on, but allows the heater in the compressor to do it's job.
So, turn it off, plug it in and wait at least 24 hours before turning it back on.
One caution......
If using a dolly.......be sure that the dolly blade does NOT pivot up under the fridge bottom.
Doing so can allow the blade to crack/fracture the defrost water evaporation "pan".
You can end up with a mystery water on the floor, every once in awhile.
BTW.......that "pan", on a Whirlpool fridge, is about impossible to replace.
How do I know????? Long ago my BIL said "no problem"........and drove the dolly when we traded fridges with the wife's parents. He also managed to remove some wallpaper in doing so. Afterwards, he was banished from "helping".
Hope this helps.
What's been said. Upright as much as possible.
I can say this, used frigs are a crap shoot. Don't ask how I know. You have the finances just bite it and get a new one and have them set it up and take your old one away if you have one to get rid off. imo only. Your back is worth a lot as is hands, feet, accidents, scraping doors, and a clean, new frig is nice. Plus you could get some electric savings from your electric company for the "energy saver."
Wanna get rid of a fridge or really anything?! Put it beside the road with a for sale sign, say $250........it will be stolen in a couple days. Put "free" on it and it will sit there for years!
As grasshopper says, moving used fridges and freezers is a crap shoot.
I've seen used ones that was working good moved upright and not work when delivered.
Suspect settled stuff in the compressor's oil got stirred up and clogged the cooling tubes.
Compressors would run but no cooling.
If you can buy new do so unless you are getting it cheap enough that you are willing to sacrifice the loss when it don't work including the loss of the cost of the food inside.
I keep a digital temp alarm on my freezers and fridges and also a Fridge thermometer inside the fridge where every time the door is opened the temp of the fridge can be seen at a glance.
I also take a permanent marker and place a witness mark on the adjustable thermostat's dial setting. (the setting that the freezer/fridge has been operating at correctly going by the thermometers) This lets me know immediately if anyone has monkeyed with the setting of the dial thermostat.
I've see cases where other people think the fridge's dial thermostat is not set correctly because they were having a hot flash when they opened the door and the temp inside seemed too hot or the bottom of the fridge seemed too cold and they cranked the stat to what they thought was best for them.
Thanks, folks. A new one is $1800. This used one is $250. It'll go in the basement to be used for deer meat, garden vegetables and such.
Good luck you mister you.
Sheets of cardboard to slide it on. A tire casing for it to land on when you slide it down off your tailgate. You could take the door off and all the shelves out to save weight and damage. Then put a ratchet strap around it to grip to. Oh yeah, I just remembered this, check the condition of the door seal. If it doesn't seal, it's not a refrigerator. It's an electricity consumer. Look for cockroaches or evidence thereof around that seal. Does it seem like I've seen a used fridge or two.
Just eliminate refrigeration needs. Cure your meat. Hang it in the rafters. Dry your fruits. Etc. etc.
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
Seems high, BUT still say a new one would be worth it cause frig quits it will be all gone. Your call, but our Lowes has one about once a week out front marked down because of a scratch/ dent and they REALLY mark them down here, like 50% plus off, might be a route to take.
That is your answer 1000%
I replaced our freezer last year after discovering the old one crapped out. I rented an appliance dolly and went to Lowe's to pick the new one up, and the young man was going to lay it down in my trailer. I bought several ratchet straps and stood it up to bring it home, got it running, and saved most of the food. If I had waited to start it, all would have been lost.
hire a couple of tan guys with strong backs and small minds for 20.00 a hour