How To Secure A Fridge In A Caravan

Traveling with a caravan makes for a convenient and exciting journey, but it also requires a significant amount of preparation. One of the most important steps in preparation is securing the fridge in your caravan. 

Securing a fridge in a caravan for transit is important. To secure a fridge in place it is advised to make sure shelves and food items are removed and the fridge itself is unplugged. You can also use bungee cords to hold the fridge in place if it is not already screwed or fastened in.

The steps to securing your fridge are simple, but there are a few differences when it comes to securing it for transportation and securing it when the caravan is stationary. We’ll discuss what you need to do to make sure your caravan fridge is safely transported.

Can You Secure A Fridge in A Caravan?

Even though most caravan fridges are already built in, you can still secure them. Securing your caravan fridge is a very important step when traveling. It can prevent any messes from occurring and prevent damage to the rest of your caravan.

There are a few different methods  you can use to secure it, but any of them would be efficient. 

How to Secure A Fridge In A Caravan?

These general steps are the most common ones to take to make sure your fridge stays clean and safe in your caravan. 

Switching off and Defrosting the Fridge 

The first step is to clean out the fridge and then switch it off and let it defrost for at least 24 hours before you leave on a trip. When it’s completely defrosted, make sure you remove all of the water and pour it into the sink or a bucket.

Water left in the fridge can move around and seep into areas it doesn’t belong in your caravan. For example, if the water gets into your electric or gas stove, then it can damage the appliance and create a potentially dangerous inconvenience. 

If your fridge has a water and ice dispenser, you should also disconnect the tubes to the dispenser before traveling. This will prevent any leaks from happening during travel. If you want to take extra precautions, placing some towels on the fridge shelves will prevent leaks from escaping the fridge. 

Load Up Your Fridge 

When your fridge is completely defrosted and cleaned, load up your fridge with just enough food to last the duration of your trip. Packing your fridge in an organized manner can help you avoid any messes to clean up.

For example, packing your food in square shaped containers with airtight sealing can help keep the food fresher for longer and prevent anything from spilling out. 

Strapping the Fridge Down 

When both of the above steps are completed, it’s time to strap the fridge down into place. Use ratchet straps or bungee cords to secure the fridge in place while it isn’t in use; either of the options will work. 

The most effective way to strap your fridge down is to run two or three straps or cords along the front and secure them somewhere behind the fridge. For example, if your fridge is already built in next to cabinets or into the wall, placing straps or cords along the front doors of the fridge and attaching them to the screws or hooks inside the cabinets will secure it enough while traveling. 

Should I Secure the Fridge In A Caravan?

You should always secure the fridge in a caravan whether it’s built in or you pack it yourself. The steps above are the most common steps to prepare to secure your fridge in a caravan. But there are a few more steps to securing your fridge for transportation.  

You must spend a little extra time locking down the different parts of the fridge for transportation. In addition to the steps above, you should: 

• Tape down shelves and drawers 
• Cover the whole fridge with a blanket or towel 
• Avoiding certain driving hazards 

Tape Down Shelves and Drawers 

If your fridge has any shelves or drawers, then you should secure them so that they won’t move around while the caravan is moving. The most common way to do this is to tape them down with duct tape or packing tape.

Tape the drawers shut and secure the shelves to the sides so that they don’t slide around while traveling. You must also remove any removable shelves or drawers completely, wrapping them in bubble wrap and storing them somewhere else while you travel. 

Securing any shelves, drawers, and other storage compartments will prevent them from sliding around and scratching or denting the sides of the fridge while you travel. 

Cover the Whole Fridge with a Blanket or Towel 

When you are finished with securing the fridge and anything inside it, throwing a thick blanket or towel over will help prevent damage to the outside. No matter how secure or tied down your fridge is, the caravan is going to move and shift while traveling. This can cause the caravan cabinets to scratch up against the fridge and cause some scuff marks and dents to appear. 

Placing a towel or blanket on the fridge will help provide a buffer between the walls of the caravan and the outside of the fridge. If the fridge is tucked into a space by the cabinets or in the wall, stuffing a blanket or towel into the small cracks between the fridge and the cabinet is recommended. 

Avoid Certain Driving Hazards 

The last thing you should do to secure your fridge in a caravan while traveling is to avoid driving hazards. The main driving hazards to avoid include: 

• Sharp turns 
• Speed bumps 
• Sudden braking or acceleration 

The driving hazards listed above can all cause the fridge to move around or knock up against the caravan walls. This can result in the fridge getting scuffed and scratched. If you cannot avoid these due to outstanding circumstances, taking them as cautiously as possible can help lessen the risk of damage to the fridge. 

Securing a Fridge When Stationary 

There isn’t too much to do with the fridge once the caravan has reached its destination. The main things to worry about when the caravan is stationary is making sure the door is secure and that it’s packed right. 

Packing just enough food and drinks for however long you’ll be at your destination is super important for keeping your fridge secure. If the fridge is overpacked or not packed properly, it can prevent air circulation from functioning properly. Air circulation is what keeps the food cold and prevents bacteria from forming. Planning ahead and organizing your fridge properly can help you avoid this. 

Securing the fridge door while the caravan is stationary is thankfully much easier. Caravan fridges usually come with latches or locks that you can use to keep the door from opening. Keeping the fridge door closed is very important to keep all the cold air in that you can. Food that isn’t kept at the right temperature can grow bacteria. 

Securing a fridge in a caravan that’s stationary has fewer steps, but they are still as important as making sure the fridge is secure while the caravan is traveling. 

Emptying the Fridge Completely

Whether you’re traveling for a couple of hours or a few days, emptying the fridge after you return from your trip is very important. You should either eat or throw out all of the food in your fridge once you return home, rather than keeping it in the caravan fridge.  

Food that is left in the fridge for a long period of time will grow mold and bacteria that can spread from the container it’s in, to the walls of the fridge. And the bacteria isn’t always noticeable, so if it doesn’t get cleaned, it can negatively affect the air quality in the caravan next time you travel. 

It’s a much safer bet to completely clean out your fridge of any food or drinks. Avoiding any unnecessary messes is a plus, but having a healthy caravan environment is necessary.