Moving a Fridge

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Okay, wise and knowledgeable YMers:

I need to move a 12 c.f. fridge from point A to point B in a minivan.  

The distance between the points is almost 300 miles.

The fridge is too tall to stand up in the van.

For some reason, I have this notion in my brain that appliances that contain coolant should not be laid on their side for any length of time.

I also have the contradictory notion in my brain that laying appliances that contain coolant on their side for a few hours is okay as long as you let the appliance stand upright for 24 hours or so before plugging it in and running it.

Does either of those notions appear more correct than the other?  Can I safely move a refrigerator if it lays on its side for 5 hours or so?

[ken a.k.a OMK]

The coolant is in a sealed system and won't leak. Now any water in the ice making system will.

[Sharon]

I had an appliance guy tell me that as long as you let it stand it place for at least 24 hours after it has been laying down that you should be ok.  He also told me that if you have an option to lay the motor on the lower side to do that if possible. 

[Tiny]

It's the oil and water...

Here's a quick google:
www.applianceaid.com/moving-refrigerator-on-side.php

I'd also consider the effect of the weight on your mini-van -- your owners manual should tell how much you can haul. 

I took out a shock absorber hauling a heavy load in my xB (rated for 900 pounds - but hauling about 700 (including me the driver))  The urban obstacles of rail road tracks, minor pot holes and a couple of streets that were chewed up from the winter for long stretches did me in   I had most of the weight on one side - I couldn't distribute the weight.  I thought the short ride would be ok...

[Tiny]

Just a thought - if you have a lot of stuff to haul - would it make sense to "rent" a uhaul vehicle? They use to have OK rates - you can rent in one spot, drop off in another, you might even get a lower price because you'd return it within a day..... I did something like that a couple of years ago - cost me $35.00 for a trailer for 4 hours of use...  Made a bunch of 'free fire wood" runs... so was totally worth the cost.

[dee27]

If you rent a U-Haul, ask about appliance straps. With the extra height and appliance straps the fridge can be moved upright.

[Bonny]

May 14, 2017 10:46:02 GMT -5 Tiny said:

Just a thought - if you have a lot of stuff to haul - would it make sense to "rent" a uhaul vehicle? They use to have OK rates - you can rent in one spot, drop off in another, you might even get a lower price because you'd return it within a day..... I did something like that a couple of years ago - cost me $35.00 for a trailer for 4 hours of use...  Made a bunch of 'free fire wood" runs... so was totally worth the cost.

We did this when we bought one of our rentals. Moved old washer and dryer from AZ house to Oceanside house. They were good appliances that hadn't been used that much (AZ house was formerly a vacation home for folks living in CO). I wouldn't have done it with old appliances. You can find older fridges for about $100 locally.

Ditto with moving furniture and boxes from my mom's condo to my brother's house and then up to the cabin 100 miles away.

We just replaced the fridge at the cabin. So happy that Lowes takes away and delivers fridges up flights of stairs at no extra cost!

Good luck GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl!

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Thank you, everyone, for your wise counsel.  Fortunately, it turned into a non-issue:  YDS decided to go with a smaller 4.4 cf fridge to be used in conjunction with his 2.1 cf chest freezer, rather than go with a larger single unit.  The smaller fridge fits upright into my van just fine, so not laying down necessary.  

[ZaireinHD]

well for future reference - refrigerator and window air conditioners hold water. so before transporting them. drain the water out first then pack them upside down if you want. LOL 

[OldCoyote]

It has to do with the freon in the system, when you lay it on it's side liquid freon can accumulate in a low spot.

When you set the frig or freezer up the liquid freon can flood the compressor,

If you start it up right away the liquid can break the valve inside of the compressor.

When you set it up, let it sit, the liquid will turn into vapor which won't break the valves.