Taming Wayward Refrigerator Doors

Photos by the author

When the factory latch on the side-by-side refrigerator doors failed to do its job, grab handles that offer additional support for people with physical limitations were called into service — and worked marvelously.

Absorption-type RV refrigerators are typically fitted with built-in latches to keep the doors secure, but latching systems for residential and 12-volt DC models can be hit-or-miss as the industry figures out mechanisms that can be adapted. The Furrion 12-volt DC refrigerator in my new fifth wheel, for example, came equipped from the factory with a strap and friction latches that failed to keep the door from opening on the road. Beyond the fact that the strap had no aesthetic value, its failure was during a heat wave — and much of the food was spoiled after residing on the floor for hours. Cleaning up broken eggs is not on my list of favorite things to do.

While the factory system looked like it should work, vibration allowed the latches to open by themselves, allowing the strap to come loose — and, sure enough, the contents of the refrigerator ended up on the floor the first time out with the new fifth wheel. The magnets in the refrigerator doors were simply not strong enough to offset rough-road conditions.

Perusing the Grand Design owners group forum on Facebook as well as other sites on the Internet revealed that I was not alone. One thing for sure: RV owners are resourceful — and one solution that caught my eye was the use of grab handles designed to give a “helping hand” to owners with physical limitations. These handles are intended to be mounted on a smooth-surface wall or shower stall using suction cups, which provide a strong foundation for the handle. While I could not find any reference to the exact brands of handles from the forum participants, I found one that looked like it would secure the doors.

Figuring that two is better than one, I attached both handles after cleaning the surfaces, unlocking the latches, pressing against the doors for five seconds and then locking the latches. I know it’s overkill, but I don’t want a repeat scenario and the cleanup.

Once the suction cups adhered to the doors, I pulled on the doors to make sure the grab handles would hold — and they did.

One grab handle did a good job holding the doors shut while on the road, but to placate my paranoia, I used both handles to make sure foodstuffs flying off the shelves and the requisite cleanup were a thing of the past.

One more thing: It was not fun removing the ugly residue of the double-sided tape (which held the original thumb latches) from the doors. To remove the sticky stuff, I saturated the area with alcohol using a paper towel to soften the adhesive, then I rubbed the area with the fleshy part of my fingers and thumb until the surface was cleaned. The refrigerator door has a plastic coating that can become scratched if you use your fingernails or a putty knife. Simply use a rolling motion with your fingers.

RVs are complex machines that don’t always conform to how designers and engineers imagine things will work. Fortunately, owner ingenuity prevails most of the time.

Now all I have to do is remember to use the handles before hitting the road.