Fridge Door Latches, What does everybody do?

[dJohn]

Hey all, I have a 2 door Whirlpool fridge in our Newmar Bay Star, the latch that holds the doors shut is so flimsy that it will not hold the fridge door shut during travel. What does everybody else do? Have tried to find a latch that would work but I am not having much luck. Thanks for any advice you can give.

 

[J&JD]

I don’t have this unit but others have told me it works well:

Home of the Fridge Fixer

Residential refrigerators are commonly installed in recreational vehicles, and for good reason. But, residential appliances were never meant to be used in moving vehicles. The solution to ensuring your fridge stays closed is the Fridge Fixer.

www.recubed.solutions

On my Whirlpool I used a pair of channel-lock plyers and slightly squeezed the lock channel tighter. It’s worked great for several years now.

 

[dJohn]

I don’t have this unit but others have told me it works well:

Home of the Fridge Fixer

Residential refrigerators are commonly installed in recreational vehicles, and for good reason. But, residential appliances were never meant to be used in moving vehicles. The solution to ensuring your fridge stays closed is the Fridge Fixer.

www.recubed.solutions

On my Whirlpool I used a pair of channel-lock plyers and slightly squeezed the lock channel tighter. It’s worked great for several years now.

 

[dJohn]

Our lock now is a plastic slide with slots in it for small pins that are on each door. When you slide the plastic slide to lock the doors, the bottom pin on the fridge door disengages from the slot, and viola, food all over the floor. I have looked at the Fridge fixer but can not find one for 2 door fridges. Thanks for the reply, it is much appreciated.

 

[stang37]

I use the fridge fixer. Works great and easy install. Just need your fridge model number to order.

 

[Buly]

I made a snap lock strap. My wife wraps the two handles together before heading out.

 

[Joe Hogan]

This is a known issue:

Newmar TSB https://comnet2.newmarcorp.com/instance1Env99NEWMAR/html/images/BLTN441T.pdf

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

This is a known issue:

Newmar TSB https://comnet2.newmarcorp.com/instance1Env99NEWMAR/html/images/BLTN441T.pdf

Looks like that TSB only applies to certain Newmar coaches in the 2009-2015 model year and relates to not being able to close the latch from the inside (child safety issue). The latch on our 2018 refrigerator is of the new design as I suspect later models are as well.

The problem most of us have had is keeping the doors latched, not unlatched. I have found that by cleaning the latch sliding channels and lubricating them with silicone, they latch more securely. Previously, they were not being fully engaged due to sticking issues.

TJ

 

[Buly]

This is a known issue:

Newmar TSB https://comnet2.newmarcorp.com/instance1Env99NEWMAR/html/images/BLTN441T.pdf

Thank you Joe.

 

[Buly]

I just called Newmar. Turns out my specific Vin# coach is not on the list, even if the latch is the old, problematic one.
So I had to pay $20.84 for the new improved latch.

 

[dJohn]

I use the fridge fixer. Works great and easy install. Just need your fridge model number to order.

Thanks stang37, I have contacted Carl at Fridge Fixer and have found what I need, I hope, have a great one.

 

[dJohn]

Looks like that TSB only applies to certain Newmar coaches in the 2009-2015 model year and relates to not being able to close the latTHankch from the inside (child safety issue). The latch on our 2018 refrigerator is of the new design as I suspect later models are as well.

The problem most of us have had is keeping the doors latched, not unlatched. I have found that by cleaning the latch sliding channels and lubricating them with silicone, they latch more securely. Previously, they were not being fully engaged due to sticking issues.

TJ

Thanks TJ, ours will not keep the bottom door from swinging open, pretty flimsy it is. Have got a lead on a Fridge Fixer that could solve the problem, have a great day and stay safe.

 

[DKRITTER]

We had a similar situation in a 5th wheel we had.

I had some thin plywood laying around to use. I measured the spacing between the handles and the distance to the freezer drawer. Cut it out and covered it in felt I had laying around. Worked perfectly, looked like the letter U.

 

[Joe Hogan]

Interestingly, our 2018 CanyonStar with a residential refrigerator has a flimsy looking lock, but works reliably every time. Not the easiest to operate but works,