Hauling a fridge in cold temps…beware!

[JCERRN]

The more I read about others experiences the more I think this truck blows balls. I’m slowly tiring into a hater

The EV pickup truck was a bold move any way you look at it.
Tesla is very well known for shooting for the moon and ultimately just building a space station instead.
The CT they build now is not the truck they advertised in 2019. It does some things REALLY well. It does other things that most people would expect a “Regular truck” to do very poorly. It is early for this platform but its track record is not so good.
I agree that one of, if not THE biggest challenge to this platform is the energy density of current battery tech. I think Tesla is the best at this right now, and has the best chance of a big breakthrough… but unfortunately Ford has a fair point that the better option right now is a built in ICE generator to actively charge an EV drive train, just like diesel electric locomotives for this class of vehicles.

that being said, i still think Tesla has the overall best and most cutting edge automotive tech, and most comprehensive ecosystem EV in the US and possibly the world.

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[Dogger37]

I was told that miles is more accurate than battery % in regards range. This is because the vehicle uses an algorithm of variables on your planned route.

 

[eswimm]

I was told that miles is more accurate than battery % in regards range. This is because the vehicle uses an algorithm of variables on your planned route.

Miles (battery display) is able to represent degradation where percentage is not, because it contains 2 pieces of information (capacity and state of charge) where percentage only includes one (state of charge). Neither of them is any real use for predicting the energy consumption on any new route. Ultimately, displaying miles or percentage is just user preference. What you probably meant was the navigation prediction, which is extremely accurate; factoring in speed, elevation, wind and other weather conditions. Even nav can't predict the impact of an upright refrigerator in the bed. I would have expected it to recognize that efficiency was worse than expected and to suggest an earlier charging stop.

 

[HAL GALLUS]

1. Why didn’t you lay the fridge down?
2. What do these stickers say?

If you lay it down you will need to wait at-least24hours till you can plug it in . but even that will not guarantee it will work.

 

[HAL GALLUS]

Easily solved by laying the appliance down, and thus not creating a massive aerodynamics problem. Are you new to pickups and hauling?

Are you new to refrigeration? you do not want to lay it down.

 

[Outdoors]

Are you new to refrigeration? you do not want to lay it down.

Apparently. I think the thing is the following here on the intrawebs: I know a guy that did it and it was ok. So it should be ok for me. Says nobody with a half a brain.

 

[CyberGus]

A refrigerator can be prone for transport without being damaged, but it should be placed upright for 2x of that time (up to ~24 hours) before being started to let the juices flow.

Personally, I had no idea this was an issue because I've never really moved a refrigerator before, and I've never needed a kitchen in space lol. But when I read the manual on my new portable fridge, I found out that it must be operated upright, because that's thing. Who knew?

 

[Outdoors]

A refrigerator can be prone for transport without being damaged, but it should be placed upright for 2x of that time (up to ~24 hours) before being started to let the juices flow.

Personally, I had no idea this was an issue because I've never really moved a refrigerator before

Says the guy that has never moved one that went to the internet. Thanks GUS. Stick to being a bear in the cold frozen North yet south in Austin where it all happens or doesn't.

 

[CyberGus]

Says the guy that has never moved one that went to the internet. Thanks GUS. Stick to being a bear in the cold frozen North.

Here's my receipt, straight from the manufacturer. Care to share yours?

Can you lay a refrigerator down to transport it?​

​

If the refrigerator must be laid down, only do so on the left or right side. Once the product is uprighted after transporting it, make sure to wait at least 8 hours before restarting and operating it. This will give time for the system to reset.​

​

https://www.whirlpool.com/blog/kitchen/how-to-move-a-refrigerator.html

 

[Outdoors]

Here's my receipt, straight from the manufacturer. Care to share yours?

Can you lay a refrigerator down to transport it?​

​

If the refrigerator must be laid down, only do so on the left or right side. Once the product is uprighted after transporting it, make sure to wait at least 8 hours before restarting and operating it. This will give time for the system to reset.​

​

https://www.whirlpool.com/blog/kitchen/how-to-move-a-refrigerator.html

Again the guy who has never moved a fridge comes to give advice on how to move a fridge because they read it on a receipt for their fridge. Sorry I wouldn't buy a Whirlpool fridge. You must have. Congrats.

The picture of the fridge in question is a large built in fridge. One you didn't likely buy. They often have multiple compressors. Stick to what you know.

 

[CyberGus]

Again the guy who has never moved a fridge comes to give advice on how to move a fridge because they read it on a receipt for their fridge. Sorry I wouldn't buy a Whirlpool fridge. You must have. Congrats.

So, no receipt then? Ok cool

 

[Outdoors]

So, no receipt then? Ok cool

No because people like your bear someone is likely to agree with you and wreck their built in 10k plus fridge. They likely bought it used and are going to transport it home on its side. Job well done.

That is like 10 of your fridges. Mini fridges aren't in the discussion here. Look at OP photo. Stop trying to mucky up with humor.

 

[CyberGus]

No because people like your bear someone is likely to agree with you and wreck their built in 10k plus fridge. They likely bought it used and are going to transport it home on its side. Job well done.

That is like 10 of your fridges. Mini fridges aren't in the discussion here. Look at OP photo. Stop trying to mucky up with humor.

So you still refuse to provide any supporting documentation for your position? Here's more for mine:

After moving a Sub-Zero in any position other than upright, the unit should be upright at least 24 hours before plugging the unit in.​

• Compressor oils can shift even if the unit is tilted for a short period of time. It is best to always wait 24 hours, regardless of how long the unit was not in an upright position.
  • Always wait 24 hours, regardless if the unit was moved on either side or on its back or tilted to any degree other than upright, even if only for a moment.

https://www.subzero-wolf.com/assistance/answers/sub-zero/common/moving-a-sub-zero


Obviously, you should follow the manufacturers' recommendations when transporting, but I have yet to find one that specifically prohibits sideways transport.

 

[Outdoors]

So you still refuse to provide any supporting documentation for your position? Here's more for mine:

After moving a Sub-Zero in any position other than upright, the unit should be upright at least 24 hours before plugging the unit in.​

• Compressor oils can shift even if the unit is tilted for a short period of time. It is best to always wait 24 hours, regardless of how long the unit was not in an upright position.
  • Always wait 24 hours, regardless if the unit was moved on either side or on its back or tilted to any degree other than upright, even if only for a moment.

https://www.subzero-wolf.com/assistance/answers/sub-zero/common/moving-a-sub-zero


Obviously, you should follow the manufacturers' recommendations when transporting, but I have yet to find one that specifically prohibits sideways transport.

Again Peeing in a pool you don't even own. I need to go walk my dogs in the mountains.

So I asked Grok after all that is your game:

Hey Grok, I got a question. If I move a high-end refrigerator on its side and the oil compressor flows in backwards, will it still be covered under warranty?

Depends on the brand, but most manufacturers like LG, Samsung, or Whirlpool warn against tilting fridges more than 45 degrees to avoid oil displacement in the compressor. If oil gets in wrong and causes damage, they often void the warranty for improper handling. Check the manual—some explicitly say no coverage for that. Want me to dig into specifics for your model?


So sit on that. Enjoy Austin. I hear it ain't like it used to be.


Edit add:
For **Sub-Zero** refrigerators (the premium high-end brand), the situation is similar to other major brands but with some nuances due to their robust warranty and specific handling recommendations.

### Key Points from Sub-Zero's Warranty and Guidelines
- **Warranty Structure** — Sub-Zero offers one of the best in the industry: typically a full 2-year warranty on parts and labor, extending to 5 years (parts and labor) on the sealed system (including the **compressor**), and up to 12 years on sealed system parts (parts only, labor extra). This applies under "normal residential use."
- **Exclusions for Improper Handling** — The warranty explicitly does **not** cover damage from negligence, accident, improper use, maintenance, installation, or repair. This includes "improper removal and reinstallation" or any issues caused by mishandling during transport/moving.
- **Transport Recommendations** — Sub-Zero strongly advises keeping the unit upright during moving. Laying it on its side risks compressor oil migrating into the refrigerant lines, which can cause blockages, reduced efficiency, or outright compressor failure when powered on. Expert sources (including appliance techs familiar with Sub-Zero) recommend avoiding laying it down entirely if possible, and if tilted, waiting 24+ hours upright before plugging in to let oil settle back.

### Will Compressor Damage from Laying on Side Be Covered?
Almost certainly **no**. If the damage is traced to oil displacement from improper transport (e.g., the compressor burns out or the system clogs), Sub-Zero (or their certified tech) will likely classify it as user-caused mishandling, voiding coverage for that repair—even on the sealed system. They'd inspect and determine the cause, and improper handling is a standard exclusion.

That said, Sub-Zero units are built like tanks and often more forgiving than cheaper brands, but it's still a risk. If you do need to tilt/lay one down briefly, keep it on the correct side (usually indicated in the manual—often the compressor side down to avoid oil issues), stand it upright ASAP, and wait at least 24 hours (some say longer) before turning it on.


So do it, but again if it don't work it will be paid by @CyberGus. Send receipts.

 

[Tallgeese179]

I have no popcorn, but truly enjoying the derailment of the thread by refrigerant Seal Team 1234YF. Might as well be 4Chan at this point, just need something about having over 300 confirmed refrigerator moves and tracing @CyberGus 's IP so receipts can be sent to him.

https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/navy-seal-copypasta

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