When moving a refrigerator, a common question is – ‘whether you can transport a refrigerator laying down?’.
It’s important to make sure that your refrigerator is not harmed while being transported as the damage could mean costly repair expenses.
Can you transport a refrigerator laying down?
The answer is yes, you can except for the monogram refrigerators that should always remain upright.
For the others, if you plan on transporting your fridge in a moving truck, van, or other means, you can carry them that way but ensure the doors are properly closed.
But if you can, try to ensure that the refrigerator is standing in an upright position to prevent any damage to the sealed system and loose items while in transit.
Read on for other information on how to transport a refrigerator.
Understanding Refrigerator Transport Basics
When it comes to transporting appliances like refrigerators, it’s important to know the basics to avoid potential damages.
In this brief guide, we will cover the key aspects of refrigerator transport, from size and weight considerations to professional movers and relocating tips.
First, you need to determine the size and weight of your refrigerator. This will help you decide on the appropriate transportation method and necessary equipment.
Measure the fridge’s dimensions (height, width, and depth) and check its weight from the user manual or manufacturer’s website.
Depending on the size and weight, you may need to consider employing professional movers.
These experts have experience handling and relocating large appliances, ensuring your fridge reaches its destination safely. Hiring professionals can also save you time and energy during the moving process.
When transporting a refrigerator, it is essential to keep it upright as much as possible. However, if circumstances call for laying it down, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to avoid damaging the fridge.
Place a blanket over the refrigerator to protect its exterior during transport.
Keep these points in mind when preparing to transport a refrigerator:
- Measure and consider size and weight
- Hire professional movers as needed
- Keep the fridge upright if possible
- Lay it down only if necessary and following guidelines
- Protect the exterior with a blanket
As you plan your move and prepare to transport your refrigerator, remember that taking the time to understand these basics will help ensure your appliance arrives undamaged and ready for use in your new home.
Types Of Fridge: How To Transport A Fridge That Is Laying Down
Before you move that fridge from its position, I would like you to check this out right away. It’s a table on fridge types and what you should know before changing their positions while in transit.
| Fridge Type | How to Move Laying Down | |
| 1. | Compact freezer | Unplug and empty a day before transporting it on its side |
| 2. | Side-by-side freezer | Lay it down on the freezer side so that door would remain firmly in place |
| 3. | Top freezer type | Lay it down with the side opposite the hinges facing on the ground while on transit to keep the door firmly locked. |
| 4. | French door and bottom freezer | Must be kept upright while in transit. |
What Happens When We Lay A Refrigerator Down?
Refrigerators come in different sizes and are very vital in the home. Besides most brands being costly, refrigerators are also a bit challenging to repair. Their repairs can leave a hole in your wallet.
So, the best advice is to take proper care of your refrigerator. Buy the right refrigerator cord if you need one (You will need it if you are relocating your fridge far away from the power source) and take proper care while transporting it. By that, I mean you have to ensure that your refrigerator doesn’t get damaged.
So, if you are thinking of transporting a refrigerator that is laying down, probably because you don’t have enough space in the van or truck to keep it upright, there are proper ways you can go about it.
But remember that I mentioned earlier that you cannot and should not transport a monogram refrigerator laying down.
What is a monogram refrigerator?
Generally, the monogram appliance comprises of products expertly engineered and crafted, and are quite elegant. These set of appliances are designed to meet the demands of the modern-day home.
For instance, the monogram refrigerator provides diverse, innovative options. It includes an option for food preservation, climate-control drawers, and convertible freezer drawer, particularly in the integrated models, among others.
But above all, these types of refrigerators are not made to handle the stress that laying down and be on the road for several hours.
What happens to a refrigerator when you lay it down?
You will find in most instruction manuals that the best way to transport a refrigerator is in a vertical or upright position. But this doesn’t happen at all times. In other words, the truck you may have available may not be able to accommodate the refrigerator when you choose to keep it in an upright position.
But the thing is when you lay a refrigerator down; the oil in the compressor finds its way to the tube of the refrigerant and might damage your appliance if care is not taken.
How can I prevent damage to my refrigerator after transporting it while laying down?
Turning on your refrigerator immediately after you arrive at your destination is not the best thing to do. Even if your refrigerator is new or old, you have to allow it to stay off for a while before having it plugged into a power source.
Remember I said earlier that oil from the compressor flows into the refrigerant’s tube. So when you place your appliance back in an upright or vertical position, allow it to stay unplugged into a power source for some time.
How long should I allow my refrigerator to stay upright before plugging it into a power source after arriving at my destination?
If you had kept your refrigerator laying down for approximately 6 hours, then make sure you allow it to stay upright for around 7 hours.
The reason for this is to allow the oil to flow back so that your appliance can function well again and avoid damaging it.
Tips On How To Transport Refrigerator Safely:
Alright, it’s time for action. What are the dos and don’ts when moving a fridge from one place to another, I mean over a long distance? That’s what we will be looking at here.
Mind you; this is a general tip on how to transport a refrigerator.
1. Unplug the fridge
Hey, safety first! Never do anything unless you have your fridge unplugged. In simple terms, make sure it is not connected to a power source before moving the refrigerator out of position.
After unplugging your appliance, make sure you fold the plug properly, so it doesn’t drag on when transporting it. You also don’t want the fridge plug to get damaged, so make sure it is neatly secured.
2. Keep the fridge empty
Get the food and other items out of the refrigerator. Allowing them to remain would not only add more weight to the fridge. Your stored foods would get spoilt before you reach your final destination. If you have solid objects like bottles and cans in the fridge, take them off too. Such items can get broken or damage the internal part of the refrigerator.
Unfortunately, most people don’t see this as a big deal. But if you want to transport your fridge safely, then you should spend time to unpack the food and any item that’s in there. In a nutshell, ensure it is empty.
3. Consider defrosting your fridge
Another critical step is to defrost. Just unplug the refrigerator and let it stay that way for hours until there is no frost left. But you need time to make this happen; it will undoubtedly take some time to get the fridge ready to have it moved to another location.
So, if you are doing the moving the next day, unplug the fridge today and let it remain that way throughout the day. And once it is completed defrosted, make sure you clean up the leftovers (water, food particles, and others stuff) from the inside of the fridge to prevent water from getting into places that it shouldn’t
4. Move the shelves out
Hey, get everything out of the damn fridge! I mean every single thing. Sorry, I have to be serious about this because any object left in the refrigerator can cause severe damages to the interior of the appliance. And you don’t want that to happen.
While in transit, the shelves could move and damage your fridge. So make sure you clear them out. But if you don’t feel like taking them off, use tape to secure the shelves firmly in their respective positions.
5. Keep the door shut
Wait a minute, how should you go about this? It’s not like you can stand next to your fridge while in transit anyway. Well, the answer is to use tape. Get a tape and secure the door firmly in one place, I mean closed. That way, you can prevent the door from flapping while the fridge is in transit. Wise stuff!
6. Load the fridge
Now is the time to seek help. Trust me; you are going to need a helping hand, probably your next door neighbor’s help.
You see, it’s easy to think you can lift the fridge yourself. After all, it’s empty. But don’t! I mean don’t do this all alone. The thing is you might accidentally drop the fridge on the ground, and this could be disastrous.
7. Secure the refrigerator
Another step you can take while transporting your fridge is to secure it. You can place it at the center of the truck or van, and cover it up with a blanket. The thing is fridges are not only heavy but delicate. And as a result, when they come in contact with the truck or van, it could dent the outer surface of the fridge.
So, place a sizeable blanket over your fridge to help avoid dings and dents that could deface your appliance.
8. Consider the position
How you position a fridge while transporting it from one place to another, matters. And keep in mind that some refrigerators cannot be carried while laying down on their sides. So check appropriately before progressing with your plan to lay your fridge by its side.
But if you can, it would be advisable to keep the fridge in a vertical position throughout the journey.
I hope this video will help you to do this task perfectly:
Frequently Asked Questions
How far can a fridge be tilted safely?
A fridge can generally be tilted safely at an angle of no more than 45 degrees. However, it’s best to keep the fridge as close to the upright position as possible to minimize potential damage to the cooling system.
If you must tilt the fridge, try to do so carefully and ask for assistance if needed.
What is the proper way to transport a fridge in a car?
Before transporting a fridge, measure its dimensions to ensure it fits in your vehicle. Then, protect its exterior with a blanket or padding. Ideally, keep the fridge upright during transport.
If you must lay it down, choose the side with the compressor and coils, as this can reduce potential damage to the cooling system.
What are the steps to move a fridge down stairs?
- Empty the fridge: remove all items and secure loose components like shelves.
- Unplug the fridge and secure the power cable.
- Wrap the fridge in a blanket or padding to protect it.
- Enlist the help of a friend or two, as moving a fridge on your own may be dangerous.
- Use a heavy-duty appliance dolly to maneuver the fridge down the stairs, with one person guiding from the top and one at the bottom of the dolly.
How can a refrigerator be fixed after laying down?
If your refrigerator has been laid down for transport, wait at least the same amount of time it was lying down before turning it on.
This allows any excess oil to flow back into the compressor, ensuring proper functioning. If the fridge still doesn’t work, consult a professional to check the cooling system and make any necessary repairs.
What is the technique to transport a fridge in a pickup truck?
Transporting a fridge in a pickup truck is similar to doing so in a car. Before loading the fridge:
- Measure the dimensions of both the fridge and the truck bed.
- Protect the fridge’s exterior with a blanket or padding.
- Position the fridge upright, if possible. If laying it down is necessary, choose the side with the compressor and coils.
Once the fridge is loaded, secure it with straps, ensuring it is stable and unable to move around during transport.
How long should you wait before plugging in a laid down fridge?
To minimize any potential damage caused by transporting a fridge in a laying down position, wait at least the same amount of time the fridge was lying down before plugging it in.
For example, if the fridge was lying down for four hours, wait four hours before plugging it back in. This allows any oil that may have seeped into the cooling lines to return to the compressor.
Conclusion
Now can you transport a refrigerator laying down? I hope with the explanations given that you now have a better understanding and idea of the right answer.
The thing is you can transport a fridge that is laying down, but not all of them though.
For the ones you can transport this way, you must ensure that the door is locked correctly and that other objects around while in transit don’t dent the body of the fridge, too.
References:
- https://www.wikihow.com/Move-a-Refrigerator
- https://www.anyvan.com/courier-services/heavy-large-item-couriers/how-to-transport-fridge-freezer
- https://www.appliancesonline.com.au/academy/fridges-freezers/seven-tips-for-moving-a-fridge/
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