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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Renovations => Topic started by: Michael & Jackie on September 09, 2016, 01:22:16 am

Title: How to secure refrigerator doors?
Post by: Michael & Jackie on September 09, 2016, 01:22:16 am
We have found a refrigerator, top freezer, we like but has no handles....simply has indentations in the door to pull the door open.

We like it because it saves having about two inches of handles sticking out into the walk space.

But I have not thought of a good way, maybe any way, to secure the doors.  Anyone done that, used that kind of door/handle and if so how keep it closed while driving?

(this is a monochrome stainless Whirlpool 16 cut ft., wrt316SFDM.  Am tempted by the standard handled black 14.3 cu ft....seems plenty large.)
Title: Re: How to secure refrigerator doors?
Post by: nitehawk on September 09, 2016, 07:56:32 am
Mike, check out the children's department at Walmart. There is a very nice vinyl child deterrent used to keep children out of cupboards and frigs. Adhesive backed--no drilling--push in the tab and open the door. It can be inactivated when parked and only engaged for traveling.
I think the cost was about $4.99 for two. Color is white.
I put a pair on a frig we have in the garage because the magnetic seal was too weak and the freezer door would open if I closed the frig door too hard.
Title: Re: How to secure refrigerator doors?
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on September 09, 2016, 08:15:21 am
These are sliding door latches.  Put the door side on with 3M VHB double sided tape. They come from any hardware or big box store.  When they are open they are out of the way.  Thr red tag is just a reminder for us. No parts to lose or store anywhere else.
Title: Re: How to secure refrigerator doors?
Post by: Michael & Jackie on September 09, 2016, 09:24:48 am
Thanks Nitehawk and Roger...good options, Jackie be gkad to know.  Seems these refrigerators in short supply, longer delivery than we expected. 
Mike
Title: Re: How to secure refrigerator doors?
Post by: Carol & Scott on September 09, 2016, 10:59:37 am
Hi Mike -

This is what we did.  Works well for us. 

Got some strapping and a clip from Ace and sewed onto the Fender Hardware.  Clips in the middle of the door.  When parked the straps roll up and are stowed in a drawer.  The French Doors have handles so we just a velcro strap to secure.

(Sorry about so many edits.)
Title: Re: How to secure refrigerator doors?
Post by: bdale on September 09, 2016, 11:16:48 am
These are sliding door latches.  Put the door side on with 3M VHB double sided tape. They come from any hardware or big box store.  When they are open they are out of the way.  Thr red tag is just a reminder for us. No parts to lose or store anywhere else.
Roger, I like this solution for the bottom door of the Samsung that I plan to install soon.  It seems clean and simple.  Is there enough tolerance that, if the fridge moves slightly, the pin still aligns with it's hole?  I do plan to secure the feet to limit movement but I'm just curious as to how precise this needs to be.
Title: Re: How to secure refrigerator doors?
Post by: Tim Fiedler on September 09, 2016, 11:43:48 am
The sliding door locks are great solutions. Just don't drill into the refrigerator door like I did, because the door as a vacuum inside of it for purposes of insulation. When you drill into the door you release the vacuum and void your warranty.
Title: Re: How to secure refrigerator doors?
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on September 09, 2016, 09:18:19 pm
BDale,

Our Samsung is very stable. The screw down feet on ours go into a pocket on each side. There is 1/8" - 3/16" clearance around the case to the trim.  The latch almost always just slips into place. There is some play in the freezer door gasket that can help if needed.
Title: Re: How to secure refrigerator doors?
Post by: Carol & Scott on September 09, 2016, 09:28:16 pm
We did not make wood pockets for the wheels like Roger did - Very nice job - BTW.

We secured the wheels in place by placing screws into the 3/4" plywood base around the wheels.  We also attached an aluminum angle to the top of the refer and screwed it into wood (2 x 4) attached to the cabinet sides.  No movement.  We covered the wheels with cherry trim.