Below freezing travel

Sagiller · December 2022

We will be taking a trip shortly that will start out during below freezing temperature (subteen to mid twenties) for first two days. The 2020 trailer is winterized. We will be using the Alde heat at nite. After two days we’ll be in warmer climes.

My question is about the 3-way fridge. I am assuming the inside temp of the trailer will be equivalent to outside temps during travel. How will the fridge react to this? If we don’t power the fridge at all, will the inside of the fridge also reach subfreezing temps? Or does powering the fridge (12v) and setting a temperature do anything to keep food from freezing?

I’m assuming the best plan is to not power the fridge and to not put food into it that would be harmed by freezing. We tend to load a weeks worth of prepared food n the fridge, but might need to rethink that.

People tend to worry about the food getting too warm; this is about food getting too cold and wasting battery power.

Denny16 · December 2022

The fridge is insulated somewhat, try putting a thermometer inside the fridge, with it turned off, and another thermometer inside the cabin, and wait 24 hrs, then check the temperature difference between the inside of the fridge and the outside temp. This will give you an idea of what the fridge’s inside temp will be during the colder outdoor temps of your trip. Most prepared foods can deal with short exposure to low temps, dairy and fruit products will need to be kept above 40F.
Cheers

Horigan · December 2022

You can also place jugs of cool water in the fridge to give it some thermal mass to stabilize the temperature for a longer period of time.

Below freezing travel

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