Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] "tilt" for our GMC's?
| [GMCnet] "tilt" for our GMC's? [message #297077] |
Thu, 10 March 2016 09:43  |
Nancy White
Messages: 85
Registered: March 2015
Karma: 0
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Member |
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re the below post: Hi again. Everything I have read or seen on Youtube
about our coach's refrigerator says that it should be level or it will
damage the unit over time, and that it will not run properly, at a slope.
Has this been an issue for anyone? And, what is the purpose of the slanted
design? thanks! Nancy
"Yes, when you look at the coach, it will slope to the rear. This is not
an error, it is part of
the suspension design."
Message: 11
Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2016 07:40:23 -0700
From: Thomas Phipps
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] The journey begins...
Message-ID:
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
Tony, Install cut-off valve and schraders. Then, you can control the rear
height easily. 90 pounds should get you home easily. Stop at Ken
Burton's for his expertise and hospitality. Get a cheap wooden ruler
(Dollar Tree?) and cut it to 8 5/8" long. Behind the rearmost wheel there
is a
oval slot in the frame. Place the cut-off ruler under the frame to measure
the correct eight for the rear end. Adjust your airbag pressure until the
ruler just clears under the frame, at the oval slot. Yes, when you look at
the coach, it will slope to the rear. This is not an error, it is part of
the suspension design.
You are at the right place for help with your coach.
Happy Trails to you. ()Roy Rogers)
Tom, MS II
--
1975 GMC Avion
KA4CSG
--
Nancy White 1976 GMC Glenbrook Classic Coach
Westminster, Maryland juice.plus.nancy@gmail.com
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| Re: [GMCnet] "tilt" for our GMC's? [message #297087 is a reply to message #297077] |
Thu, 10 March 2016 11:45  |
A Hamilto
Messages: 4508
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 39
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Nancy White wrote on Thu, 10 March 2016 09:43re the below post: Hi again. Everything I have read or seen on Youtube about our coach's refrigerator says that it should be level or it will damage the unit over time, and that it will not run properly, at a slope. Has this been an issue for anyone? And, what is the purpose of the slanted design? thanks! Nancy
"Yes, when you look at the coach, it will slope to the rear. This is not an error, it is part of the suspension design." The slope from front to back due to travel mode of the suspension is less than half a degree. And has something to do with airflow or front wheel caster. I don't know which, but I would lean more towards airflow than caster, since half a degree was so little that GM didn't bother to change the system when they went from bias ply tires to radials.
It takes something like 7 degrees off level to damage a running propane fired fridge. All-electric fridges can be tilted even more without damage. Very few interstate highway grades are 7 degrees of slope (are there any?).
[Updated on: Thu, 10 March 2016 12:03] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] "tilt" for our GMC's? [message #297089 is a reply to message #297077] |
Thu, 10 March 2016 12:10 |
Kosier
Messages: 834
Registered: February 2008
Karma: 1
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Nancy,
That warning only applies if you have a gas-electric reefer. If you have
a real GMC with the original all electric box, you're good to go.
It makes no difference going down the road, but when parked,
you need to be fairly level with the gas-electric reefer or it will die.
No one ever mentions it, but you also need to shut off the gas
reefer when approaching gas pumps to avoid a possible fire.
Gary Kosier
77PB w/500Cad
Newark, Ohio
--------------------------------------------------
From: "Nancy White"
Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2016 10:43 AM
To:
Subject: [GMCnet] "tilt" for our GMC's?
> re the below post: Hi again. Everything I have read or seen on Youtube
> about our coach's refrigerator says that it should be level or it will
> damage the unit over time, and that it will not run properly, at a slope.
> Has this been an issue for anyone? And, what is the purpose of the
> slanted
> design? thanks! Nancy
>
> "Yes, when you look at the coach, it will slope to the rear. This is not
> an error, it is part of
> the suspension design."
>
> Message: 11
> Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2016 07:40:23 -0700
> From: Thomas Phipps
> To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] The journey begins...
> Message-ID:
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> Tony, Install cut-off valve and schraders. Then, you can control the
> rear
> height easily. 90 pounds should get you home easily. Stop at Ken
> Burton's for his expertise and hospitality. Get a cheap wooden ruler
> (Dollar Tree?) and cut it to 8 5/8" long. Behind the rearmost wheel there
> is a
> oval slot in the frame. Place the cut-off ruler under the frame to
> measure
> the correct eight for the rear end. Adjust your airbag pressure until the
> ruler just clears under the frame, at the oval slot. Yes, when you look
> at
> the coach, it will slope to the rear. This is not an error, it is part of
> the suspension design.
> You are at the right place for help with your coach.
> Happy Trails to you. ()Roy Rogers)
> Tom, MS II
> --
> 1975 GMC Avion
> KA4CSG
>
> --
> Nancy White 1976 GMC Glenbrook Classic Coach
> Westminster, Maryland juice.plus.nancy@gmail.com
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
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| Re: [GMCnet] "tilt" for our GMC's? [message #297090 is a reply to message #297077] |
Thu, 10 March 2016 12:45 |
<rallymaster
Messages: 361
Registered: May 2014
Karma: 2
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Nancy, if you have a propane absorbtion type fridge, and after reading
the reply to your post,you have a question about steep hills, email
support of the fridge manufacturer and ask about driving on steep hills
with the fridge on.
ronc
On Thu, 10 Mar 2016 10:45:15 -0700 A. writes:
> Nancy White wrote on Thu, 10 March 2016 09:43
>> re the below post: Hi again. Everything I have read or seen on
> Youtube about our coach's refrigerator says that it should be level
> or it will
>> damage the unit over time, and that it will not run properly, at a
> slope. Has this been an issue for anyone? And, what is the purpose
> of the
>> slanted design? thanks! Nancy
>>
>> "Yes, when you look at the coach, it will slope to the rear. This
> is not an error, it is part of the suspension design."
> The slope from front to back due to travel mode of the suspension is
> less than half a degree. And has something to do with airflow or
> front wheel
> caster. I don't know which, but I would lean more towards airflow
> than caster, since half a degree was so little that GM didn't bother
> to change the
> system when they went from bias ply tires to radials.
>
> It takes something like 7 degrees off normal to damage a running
> propane fired fridge. All-electric fridges can be tilted even more
> without damage.
> Very few interstate highway grades are 7 degrees of slope (are there
> any?).
> --
> '73 23' Sequoia For Sale
> '73 23' CanyonLands Parts Unit For Sale
> Upper Alabama
> Why don't they sell spray paint that washes off with soap and water
> for graffiti vandals to use?
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
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| Re: [GMCnet] "tilt" for our GMC's? [message #297091 is a reply to message #297077] |
Thu, 10 March 2016 13:29 |
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Richard RV
Messages: 631
Registered: July 2012
Location: Full-timer for 12 years, ...
Karma: -17
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Nancy White wrote on Thu, 10 March 2016 10:43Everything I have read or seen on Youtube
about our coach's refrigerator says that it should be level or it will
damage the unit over time, and that it will not run properly, at a slope.
Has this been an issue for anyone?
Nancy,
Generally the instruction manual for a propane/AC refrigerator says that the coach needs to be level for the refrigerator to operate without damaging it. Then, usually, they go on to say something very non-specific about what is considered level - "if you can sleep comfortably..." or something like that. I called Dometic tech support, 20 minutes on hold while the tech went to ask someone with more knowledge, and the answer was, "6 degrees back to front, and 3 degrees side to side." After hanging up I realized that I hadn't asked whether that was side to side from the refrigerator's perspective or the coach's. Hmmm. So I keep it under 3 degrees.
If you operate the refrigerator and it's out of level more than that the ammonia doesn't drain back correctly when it condenses, or something like that, and there will be a buildup in the pipes blocking the flow. The refrigerator will not die suddenly, it will die slowly, bit by bit as the blockage builds. First the freezer temperatures will rise a bit, then it'll barely freeze and the refrigerator compartment temperatures will climb beyond what's considered safe for refrigerated food.
Two or three way refrigerators are expensive. Make sure your coach is as close to level as possible. Water will drain better in the sinks, the refrigerator will live a long and happy life, and you won't roll out of bed in the middle of the night.
Richard
'77 Birchaven TZE...777;
'76 Palm Beach under construction;
‘76 Edgemont waiting its turn
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| Re: [GMCnet] "tilt" for our GMC's? [message #297094 is a reply to message #297090] |
Thu, 10 March 2016 14:55 |
emerystora
Messages: 4442
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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Nancy
As long as you are moving don't worry how steep the hills are. The bouncing and vibration are enough to keep the liquid and gas refrigerant moving.
It's standing still for hours at an angle that cause problems.
If you are parked at a steep slope then you should shut off the gas burner and the electric burners at the refrigerator. Both the gas and the electric create heat that circulate the refrigerant. When on an angle the liquid gets trapped in the coils and cannot flow down. Then the heat produces crystals that clog the tubes. They will not redissolve so the refrigerator is ruined.
Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Frederick, CO
> On Mar 10, 2016, at 11:45 AM, rallymaster@juno.com wrote:
>
> Nancy, if you have a propane absorbtion type fridge, and after reading
> the reply to your post,you have a question about steep hills, email
> support of the fridge manufacturer and ask about driving on steep hills
> with the fridge on.
>
> ronc
>
>
> On Thu, 10 Mar 2016 10:45:15 -0700 A. writes:
>> Nancy White wrote on Thu, 10 March 2016 09:43
>>> re the below post: Hi again. Everything I have read or seen on
>> Youtube about our coach's refrigerator says that it should be level
>> or it will
>>> damage the unit over time, and that it will not run properly, at a
>> slope. Has this been an issue for anyone? And, what is the purpose
>> of the
>>> slanted design? thanks! Nancy
>>>
>>> "Yes, when you look at the coach, it will slope to the rear. This
>> is not an error, it is part of the suspension design."
>> The slope from front to back due to travel mode of the suspension is
>> less than half a degree. And has something to do with airflow or
>> front wheel
>> caster. I don't know which, but I would lean more towards airflow
>> than caster, since half a degree was so little that GM didn't bother
>> to change the
>> system when they went from bias ply tires to radials.
>>
>> It takes something like 7 degrees off normal to damage a running
>> propane fired fridge. All-electric fridges can be tilted even more
>> without damage.
>> Very few interstate highway grades are 7 degrees of slope (are there
>> any?).
>> --
>> '73 23' Sequoia For Sale
>> '73 23' CanyonLands Parts Unit For Sale
>> Upper Alabama
>> Why don't they sell spray paint that washes off with soap and water
>> for graffiti vandals to use?
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
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| Re: [GMCnet] "tilt" for our GMC's? [message #297099 is a reply to message #297077] |
Thu, 10 March 2016 15:51 |
skip2
Messages: 544
Registered: September 2011
Location: Winter Haven,FL (center o...
Karma: 3
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Senior Member |
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I was parked over night in my previous motorhome/SOB with either front or rear to low or high the reefer shut down on it's own, beeped at me that it had and of course I just restarted without checking, then the 2nd time the control board locked up. Had to get reboot instructions off of Internet to get it going again. Lesson learned here was "if it's beeping it's trying to tell you something". Just my 2 cents and you get change too.
Skip Hartline
74 Canyon Lands, FiTech,
3.7 FD LSD, Manny Tranny,
Springfield Distributor,
2001 Chevy Tracker Ragtop Towd
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| Re: [GMCnet] "tilt" for our GMC's? [message #297108 is a reply to message #297077] |
Thu, 10 March 2016 19:39 |
<rallymaster
Messages: 361
Registered: May 2014
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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From the fridge's perspective, because they don't know how the fridge
installed in your coach.
On Thu, 10 Mar 2016 12:29:39 -0700 Richard
writes:
> Nancy White wrote on Thu, 10 March 2016 10:43
>> Everything I have read or seen on Youtube
>> about our coach's refrigerator says that it should be level or it
> will
>> damage the unit over time, and that it will not run properly, at a
> slope.
>> Has this been an issue for anyone?
>
>
> Nancy,
> Generally the instruction manual for a propane/AC refrigerator says
> that the coach needs to be level for the refrigerator to operate
> without damaging
> it. Then, usually, they go on to say something very non-specific
> about what is considered level - "if you can sleep comfortably..."
> or something like
> that. I called Dometic tech support, 20 minutes on hold while the
> tech went to ask someone with more knowledge, and the answer was, "6
> degrees back
> to front, and 3 degrees side to side." After hanging up I realized
> that I hadn't asked whether that was side to side from the
> refrigerator's
> perspective or the coach's. Hmmm. So I keep it under 3 degrees.
>
> If you operate the refrigerator and it's out of level more than that
> the ammonia doesn't drain back correctly when it condenses, or
> something like
> that, and there will be a buildup in the pipes blocking the flow.
> The refrigerator will not die suddenly, it will die slowly, bit by
> bit as the
> blockage builds. First the freezer temperatures will rise a bit,
> then it'll barely freeze and the refrigerator compartment
> temperatures will climb
> beyond what's considered safe for refrigerated food.
>
> Two or three way refrigerators are expensive. Make sure your coach
> is as close to level as possible. Water will drain better in the
> sinks, the
> refrigerator will live a long and happy life, and you won't roll out
> of bed in the middle of the night.
>
> Richard
> --
> '77 Birchaven TZE...777
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> subscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
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| Re: [GMCnet] "tilt" for our GMC's? [message #297597 is a reply to message #297077] |
Fri, 18 March 2016 10:18 |
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John Heslinga
Messages: 632
Registered: February 2011
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Karma: 4
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Senior Member |
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Nancy:
This web site has some pretty good explanations about the possible problems and why. Its a good read to give you detailed information even if the site is poorly layed out. I suggest you Go through it. The issue is the fridge fluids need to return to the bottom of the cooling unit to keep the operational cycle going. The pipes on the fridge cooling unit are sloped to accomodate that flow. When the fridge goes off level the slope goes backward and the natural flow does not happen allowing the fluids to pool and not return to the right place.(fluids don't drain properly) a moving vehicle sloshes the fluids and will usually get enough fluids moving even if the slope is not ideal.
Full disclosure:
Its purpose is to sell his product so keep that in mind. (I happen to have one)
I ruined my fridge last summer when I had the front wheels jacked up on blocks to do some power steering work. I forgot to turn off the fridge and it tried to.opetate for that time. It cost me a pile extra work and a cooling unit. (I'M still working on some details. The claims that damage happens are true and you should turn off your fridge if you are parking on some strange angle. Damage is cumulative and may not show up now but at later dates. Service centets generally have signs warning sevice techs tonturn off fridges when doing work on customers rvs.
https://www.arprv.com
John and Cathie Heslinga
1974 Canyonlands 260
455, Manny tranny and 1 ton, 3:70 LS,
Red Seal Journeyman, DTE, BEd. MEd.
Edmonton, Alberta
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| Re: [GMCnet] "tilt" for our GMC's? [message #297598 is a reply to message #297077] |
Fri, 18 March 2016 10:28 |
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John Heslinga
Messages: 632
Registered: February 2011
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Karma: 4
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Senior Member |
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Nancy
Just a bit of follow up. I just went back to that website and viewed it again.
You have to do some drilling down in his links and videos to really get the info but it is worth it. If your interested in the details. Obviously the site was not created by a pro.
John and Cathie Heslinga
1974 Canyonlands 260
455, Manny tranny and 1 ton, 3:70 LS,
Red Seal Journeyman, DTE, BEd. MEd.
Edmonton, Alberta
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| Re: [GMCnet] "tilt" for our GMC's? [message #297600 is a reply to message #297597] |
Fri, 18 March 2016 10:30 |
k2gkk
Messages: 4452
Registered: November 2009
Karma: -8
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Senior Member |
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Does the "standard" downward slope to the rear of a GMC motorhome
tend to make this more of a problem than installations in an RV
which normally rides more on even keel?
Or is the "uneven" parking problem more related to side-to-side
orientation?
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
~ ~ Since 30 November '53 ~ ~
~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
~ Member GMCMI and Classics ~
~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
~ ~ ~ ~ TZE166V101966 ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ '76 ex-Palm Beach ~ ~ ~
~~ k2gkk + hotmail dot com ~~
~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
______________
|[ ]~~~[][ ][]\
"--OO--[]---O-"
> Date: Fri, 18 Mar 2016 09:18:50 -0600
> To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
> From: rbeeper@hotmail.com
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] "tilt" for our GMC's?
>
> Nancy:
>
> This web site has some pretty good explanations about the possible problems and why. Its a good read to give you detailed information even if the site
> is poorly layed out. I suggest you Go through it. The issue is the fridge fluids need to return to the bottom of the cooling unit to keep the
> operational cycle going. The pipes on the fridge cooling unit are sloped to accomodate that flow. When the fridge goes off level the slope goes
> backward and the natural flow does not happen allowing the fluids to pool and not return to the right place.(fluids don't drain properly) a moving
> vehicle sloshes the fluids and will usually get enough fluids moving even if the slope is not ideal.
>
> Full disclosure:
> Its purpose is to sell his product so keep that in mind. (I happen to have one)
>
> I ruined my fridge last summer when I had the front wheels jacked up on blocks to do some power steering work. I forgot to turn off the fridge and
> it tried to.opetate for that time. It cost me a pile extra work and a cooling unit. (I'M still working on some details. The claims that damage
> happens are true and you should turn off your fridge if you are parking on some strange angle. Damage is cumulative and may not show up now but at
> later dates. Service centets generally have signs warning sevice techs tonturn off fridges when doing work on customers rvs.
>
>
> https://www.arprv.com >
> --
> John and Cathie Heslinga
> 1974 Canyonlands 260
> 455, Manny tranny and 1 ton, 3:70 LS,
> Red Seal Journeyman, DTE, BEd. MEd.
> Edmonton, Alberta
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| Re: [GMCnet] "tilt" for our GMC's? [message #297603 is a reply to message #297597] |
Fri, 18 March 2016 10:56 |
Emery Stora
Messages: 959
Registered: January 2011
Karma: 4
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Senior Member |
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A little more detail:
The refrigerant in the refrigerator is a mixture of water and ammonia. When it boils upward into the freezer compartment it condenses and flows back downward to the tank at the bottom of the coils where it is reheated and the vapors flow back upward.
When the refrigerator is off level enough the condensed liquid gets trapped at the top. There are corrosion inhibitors dissolved in the water. When trapped at the top they get hot and start to drop out of the solution and they form crystals that will not
redissolve. The crystals begin to block off the tubing. When enough accumulates it will stop the flow of refrigerant and the refrigerator will no longer get cold. It is not possible to get the crystals back into solution. Some people in the past have taken out their refrigerators and laid them on the sides and then the front and the back and have had a little success in getting some of the crystals to move down the tubes and to the bottom tank. This doesn’t work most of the time and the crystals also will plate out onto the inside of the tubing and will not move. The only solution then is to replace the refrigerator or install a new system into the existing refrigerator box.
Some have asked if the normal slope of the GMC is a problem. The answer is no. That is not enough of an angle off level to cause a problem. It is also not a problem when driving up and down hills as the sloshing of the liquid in the tubing will cause it to flow down and it is not off level for enough time for the crystals to form. It is only when parked several degrees off level, either front to back or side to side that the problem occurs and that usually takes several hours.
Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Frederick, CO
> On Mar 18, 2016, at 9:18 AM, John Heslinga wrote:
>
> Nancy:
>
> This web site has some pretty good explanations about the possible problems and why. Its a good read to give you detailed information even if the site
> is poorly layed out. I suggest you Go through it. The issue is the fridge fluids need to return to the bottom of the cooling unit to keep the
> operational cycle going. The pipes on the fridge cooling unit are sloped to accomodate that flow. When the fridge goes off level the slope goes
> backward and the natural flow does not happen allowing the fluids to pool and not return to the right place.(fluids don't drain properly) a moving
> vehicle sloshes the fluids and will usually get enough fluids moving even if the slope is not ideal.
>
> Full disclosure:
> Its purpose is to sell his product so keep that in mind. (I happen to have one)
>
> I ruined my fridge last summer when I had the front wheels jacked up on blocks to do some power steering work. I forgot to turn off the fridge and
> it tried to.opetate for that time. It cost me a pile extra work and a cooling unit. (I'M still working on some details. The claims that damage
> happens are true and you should turn off your fridge if you are parking on some strange angle. Damage is cumulative and may not show up now but at
> later dates. Service centets generally have signs warning sevice techs tonturn off fridges when doing work on customers rvs.
>
>
> https://www.arprv.com
> --
> John and Cathie Heslinga
> 1974 Canyonlands 260
> 455, Manny tranny and 1 ton, 3:70 LS,
> Red Seal Journeyman, DTE, BEd. MEd.
> Edmonton, Alberta
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
_______________________________________________
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