A Women's RV Forum run by Women RVer's!

Hi everybody,
Betsy comes home tomorrow! (I originally named her Bessie, but I like Betsy. Turns out that was the name of my dad's car. Not Bessie. ) I've been told that I shouldn't park her on any kind of a hill/slant/incline, etc. My driveway has a slight slant. Or maybe by RV standards it's not so slight. Is there a safe way for me to park her on the slant? If so, it could save me storage costs. I'll do my research, or course, and I trust all of you to share your experience and thoughts with me.

Pictures coming soon.

Nikki and Olive

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Nikki, my driveway has a slight slant, too. I use those orange blocks to build up the down side. And if you're not running your fridge, I don't figure a slant would harm anything (RV fridges need to be relatively level to allow them to function without doing damage to them.) But there are far more experienced ladies here than I am who might know some reason to not do this.

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Mitch is right on target. Be sure to use some chocks to ensure it doesn't roll.

Thanks, everybody. I've done some research, too. Seems that the newer fridges can withstand about 6 degrees slope with no problem. The simplest test is that if it's comfortable to walk in the RV, the slope is probably OK for the fridge. I'll just figure out how to turn it off and not worry about it. The night before a trip, I'll pull onto level ground and turn on the fridge. Now, how do I turn it off. Just kidding! I'll figure it out. I posted pics of Betsy and Olive somewhere. Probably in "Show off Your Rigs." I can't keep track of what I've posted where. Yeehaw! I am too excited.

Nikki

It's the refrigerator that needs to be level but if it's not running I don't know that it makes a difference. I have one of the little round bullseye looking levels that I put on the floor of the freezer. It can take up to a day for the refrigerator to get cold enough to put food in. Probably depends on the outside temperature. Thought I would add that so you don't think it's broken. I have a refrigerator thermometer in the refrigerator and the freezer. If there is a problem I want to know about it before the food spoils.

Martha

There is an iPhone app for a handy level called iHandy Level that I use. Last fall I thought I was turning my fridge off and wondered why it wouldn't go off, finally turned off the propane outside. Turns out when I took it in to have it fixed I was turning it to the wrong off button The off position I was turning it to was the one you use when running it on electric.

I bought two cheap small levels at a camping store and put them on a rear corner outside--one on each side. It makes it very easy to see how off I am.

However, I parked in my son's very slanted driveway for four weeks and left my refrigerator running all the time. It worked fine.

The factory told me my RV would have to be on a slant that would make it hard to stay in bed without rolling out to damage the refrigerator because it was new. It was the older ones that were the problem.

JudyJB wrote:I bought two cheap small levels at a camping store and put them on a rear corner outside--one on each side. It makes it very easy to see how off I am.

However, I parked in my son's very slanted driveway for four weeks and left my refrigerator running all the time. It worked fine.

The factory told me my RV would have to be on a slant that would make it hard to stay in bed without rolling out to damage the refrigerator because it was new. It was the older ones that were the problem.

I was told pretty much the same thing. So, I'm not worrying about it. Now if I can get the generator fixed, I'll be in great shape. The dealership said it worked OK during the safety check, but it wouldn't turn over during the walk through. Dealership guy said the carburetor might need cleaning, and I guess that's about $400. Yikes!

I hope you make them repair the geny at their expense. I sure wouldn't take their word that it worked for them earlier. They should give possession to you with it in working order or that's my opinion.

VickieP wrote:I hope you make them repair the geny at their expense. I sure wouldn't take their word that it worked for them earlier. They should give possession to you with it in working order or that's my opinion.

I should explain that I actually bought the RV from my neighbor. He upgraded and the dealer did the paperwork and safety check on mine as a "favor." No warranty. As is. So, even if it didn't work before, I have no recourse with them. I have to get it fixed at my expense. My neighbor says it worked fine for him and I believe him. I'll try starting it up again tomorrow and see what happens. I'll have my other neighbor, a mechanic, look at it before I take it to a dealer closer to me. I hope this makes sense. Then I'll do a good cleaning before I sleep in it at my house. Lots to do, lots to learn. Baby steps.

Oh okay, that makes perfect sense. I just didn't want you to have any more expense than necessary...we tend to look out for each other like that!

VickieP wrote:Oh okay, that makes perfect sense. I just didn't want you to have any more expense than necessary...we tend to look out for each other like that!

Thanks for looking out for me, Vickie. I hope I can return the favor some day. Good news! My other neighbor came over and started it right up! So all systems are GO! I'm relieved and very happy. Tomorrow I clean the inside then take it to a nearby dealership for a thorough wash and wax on the outside. I'm assuming they will do that for me ($$$) or point me to someone who will. Thanks again.