Child Item

How to remove a fridge from a caravan?

kand

I also had to buy a small fridge as the two-way fridge was broken.

That’s all well and good @selva, but you had to get the old fridge out of the van before you could put the new one in!

My question, in case you haven’t already guessed, is how did you get the old one out, please?

Find more posts tagged with

Tools and Materials

Renovation

Comments

MitchellMc

Hi @kand,

It can definitely be a challenge getting those old fridges out. Were you looking for assistance with removing it from the cabinetry, or was it just too large to fit out the door?

If it’s a cabinetry issue, you might need to detach any screws or brackets holding it in place. For size constraints, sometimes tilting or rotating the fridge can create the extra space needed to maneuver it out. I’ve also found that removing any nearby panels can help create more room.

Please let me know fi you have any questions.

Mitchell

kand

Hi @MitchellMc,

Thanks for replying to my question - and so quickly.

My problem is first of all the cabinet issue. I can see that there are two steel pieces that are on the bottom of the face of the fridge, one on each side. When I was looking at them, they seemed more like they were holding the fridge together rather than holding the fridge in place. And, given the age of the van (40 years old), if the fridge is the original one, it might well need to be held together. 😛 It also makes a tremendous racket when it is turned on, so those steel pieces might be used for preventing it taking off. 😳

As the tagline under my name indicates, I’m a novice on this site and whilst I would like to post a picture of the offending pieces in my answer, I’m not sure if I can do that with my current skill level. And I’m not prepared to lose everything I have typed in the process of trying to make it happen. So the text is going to come first and then I’ll have an attempt at getting a picture of the front of the fridge.

Thanks again,

Andrew

MitchellMc

Let us know how you go with the images, Andrew (@kand). If you have difficulty, send them to workshop@bunnings.com.au, and I'll post them for you.

Mitchell

kand

And now I’m going to demonstrate how observant (not!) I have been with my caravan.
There are similar metal plates at the top of the fridge frame that I have never noticed before.

MitchellMc

I'm tipping that the bottom metal trim should pull off, and under the fridge will be adjustable-height legs @kand. They are probably wound up to compress the top of the fridge against the bottom side of the bench, locking it into position. See if you can get the bottom trim off to reveal some fixings.

Let me mention @twocutekelpies to see if she can be of any assistance.

Mitchell

kand

Hi @MitchellMc,

Your tipping point was partly right. But before I go any further, I don't want to take over this thread and detract from the great work that @selva has done. Should my very basic questions be moved somewhere else?

I won't post any further until I hear from you.

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/43065#Comment_43065

I've created a new thread for your discussion @kand. Feel free to ask away!

Jason

kand

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/83657#Comment_83657

Here’s the image of the bottom of the fridge in my caravan.

It was sort of expected that there would be some adjustable feet or legs that were jamming the fridge in. Unfortunately, taking off the panel revealed just the controls for the fridge!

Might there be some bolts through the floor from each corner of the fridge that would be holding the fridge in place?

I’m asking before I get under the van because I don’t want to get under it if I don’t have to!

Thanks,

Andrew

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/106803#Comment_106803

Hello @kand

This is a very interesting puzzle indeed. I propose doing a systematic check of the possible places a holding screw might be located. I recommend starting at the side panel and side cabinets, next would be under the floor followed by the outside wall. The only other location I can think of is under the benchtop itself. It might be necessary to remove the benchtop and there could be a steel plate at the top with screws holding the fridge in place.

If all else fails and you are not keeping the old fridge, I propose using a demolition crowbar and brute force.

Let me call on our experienced members @TedBear, @JoeAzza, @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their opinion regarding the possible location of the holding screw.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

Nailbag

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/120610#Comment_120610

Hi @kand

The fridge would most likely to have been installed after the cabinetry. So, designed to be connected and slid into place then fixed with no excessive force required to remove it once the fixing have been removed. Removing the rear external air vent may expose additional fixing and/or connections that will need to be disconnected first.

Unless one of my fellow braintrust can provide an answer, I would highly recommend you turn to Facebook and join one or two of the many groups of experienced owners of vintage caravans. There will be people within these groups who will know the type of fridge and possibly your van model who can provide insight in to not only this issue, but other solutions for your projects moving forward.

Here is just one example of these groups.

Nailbag

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/129139#Comment_129139

Morning @kand

Im with @Nailbag 's reasoning as to how the fridge would have been installed. At the very least any repair would have to have it pulled out so there must be something that clicks or detaches to allow it to walk out.

I just had a troll through google looking for "removal of caravan fridge from old school cavaran" and had a bunch of answers that tend to make me belive it should come out fairly easy, getting it out of the caravan is another thing by the look of it 😕

With your fridge, it could be "locked" in place to imprinting into the lino underneath, and no space above it. The panel that you have exposed by taking off the bottom strip of the fridge, is it hanging free? or still fixed to the frame of the fridge?

You could try using the metal brackets just below the door hinge either side and using something like a hook to drag the fridge forward at the same level as the floor (so no upturned lift of the fridge at all) Using two Trojan 300 x 120mm F Clamp's either side of those gal pieces that the cover clips to, tighten them up and pull towards you. I am not sure how much space you will have to slip the clamp head around behind the bracket is all.

Dave

kand

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/129139#Comment_129139

Thanks, @Nailbag.

I haven't been ignoring you, or anyone else. I've been reading and exploring underneath the van. I've also been looking in the van, but that hasn't brought me a lot of joy, so far.

Actually, exploring underneath the van hasn't exactly been a barrel of laughs, either. The van rides on 13" wheels and that doesn't give a lot of clearance underneath.

But I did discover this:

As it says, only two bolts, both next to the side of the van, and what I'm guessing from underneath the van is about the width of the fridge apart from each other.

Now, I could undo those bolts and see what happens, but if they're holding the cabinetry in, or worse, together, I don't want to be mucking around with that. I don't want to get myself into more trouble than I know how to get out of.

Thoughts, anyone?

And thanks for the link to the Facebook group. I'm not on Facebook, but my wife has been having fun with that link. 🙄

kand

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/134545#Comment_134545

Hi @Dave-1

Again, I'm sorry for not responding sooner. You wrote:

With your fridge, it could be "locked" in place to imprinting into the lino underneath, and no space above it.

I don't know if you mean the same as a couple of other people in real life have suggested to me that there 'should have been' adjustable feet that screwed the fridge up against the top cabinet so tightly that it couldn't move. If that's what you meant, then I'll have to say that I can't find any evidence of those feet.

The panel with the controls for starting the fridge on either gas or electricity? And for switching between the two energy sources? That panel? It seems to me to be firmly in place.

If I'm to use those clamps, or a breaker bar, 🤣 I'm going to need to remove the top cabinet, I presume. I don't want to sound dumb. I probably just am.

Thanks for all of your help.

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/138023#Comment_138023

Afternoon @kand

🙂 no you arnt and its hard to describe in such a way both our points of view, part of the learning process for both of us really.

"Locked in place" via imprint into lino. If you go searching for the query I posted you will come across tint fridges that dont have wind up feet, they have a "bump" at the front and smooth at the back. I figure its to help the door stay closed. The imprint I am refering to is you know when ther is long term weight on lino and you move it, there is a divit left behind. I am suggesting that the fridge might be resting with its front bumps (feet) in its own self made divit.

01 12-10-2024.jpeg

The blue circles are where I am suggesting to put those clamps, that panel between the blue wonky circles looks loose?

The yellow lines are for the "bumps" causing impressions into the lino that would make movement harder.

The blue arrows are the horizontal pull from the bottom towards you.

If that panel isnt loose and cant be unscrewed then that hole on the left, on that control plate looks like you could slip a clamp into it and pull toward you.

I saw the bolt photos when you answered @Nailbag, not sure what they are for but maybe have a search for caravan construction methods form the 1950's? As in build diagrams. (not sure of the era of your caravan but methods will stay the same ish) I dont think they will be fastened to the fridge, mostly because it would take two people effort to line it up and install it (it dosnt have a logic sequence for building)

Dave

kand

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/140395#Comment_140395

Thanks for the vote of confidence in me, @Dave-1! I wish I shared your confidence.

I think it is going to take me a bit of time to wrap my head around the markup on the photo but I might also show it to my friend who is a machinist and welder. He looks at things very differently compared to me, funnily enough. He will probably look at it and ask me what the problem is!

The van was built in the 1980s. It was sold to us as a 1984 year model.

The ‘hole’ on the bottom panel, to the left of the maker’s plate is not a hole, unfortunately. It is very deceptive! It’s a small window which, I think, is where you can check that the pilot light is on.

I will keep searching and I am now interested in knowing what those two bolts really are for. I shall keep you posted.

Thanks again for your help and especially your patience with me.

Andrew

Nailbag

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/142103#Comment_142103

Hi @kand

Personally I would have a go at @Dave-1 suggestion and/or removing those two nuts. I would have confidence that nothing like the cabinets will be effected especially while the van is no in transport.

Otherwise as per my previous post, I would ask someone from either the Millard and York Caravan Owners group or the vintage caravan community.

Nailbag

Child Item