Moving Fridges & Washing Machines: Why You Need a High-Roof Van

How to Transport a Fridge Upright: The Pro’s Guide for DIY Movers

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

Key takeaways

• Always keep fridges and washers upright—never lay them on their side.
• Brief tilts under 45° are okay for manoeuvring only, and for short periods.
• Use an appliance dolly with straps, protective padding, and secure all cords/doors.
• Rent a high-roof van for vertical clearance and solid tie-down points.
• After moving, let the fridge stand unplugged for 4+ hours before turning it on.

The Golden Rule: Why You MUST Transport a Fridge Upright

Moving day is stressful enough without the looming fear of breaking one of your most expensive possessions. As vehicle rental specialists, we’ve seen firsthand how DIY movers handle their most challenging items, and a primary source of anxiety is often the same: multi-thousand-dollar appliances like a refrigerator or washing machine. The thought of a single wrong move leading to a costly repair bill—or worse, a complete replacement—is a major concern.

The most common and catastrophic mistake we witness is trying to force an appliance into the wrong vehicle by laying it down. While it might seem like a clever space-saving solution, our experience shows it’s the fastest way to cause permanent, expensive damage.

This guide is here to prevent that. We’ll share the professional, step-by-step method we’ve seen work time and again, empowering you to move your large appliances safely, prevent costly damage, and do the job right yourself.

The Critical Mechanics: What Happens When You Lay a Refrigerator Down?

Laying a refrigerator on its side might get it from point A to point B, but it very likely won’t work when it gets there. Here’s the technical reason why:

• Compressor Damage: The compressor is the heart of your refrigerator. Inside, a specific amount of lubricating oil sits in a reservoir at the bottom, keeping its components running smoothly. When you lay a fridge down, this oil can flow out of the compressor and into the sealed refrigerant lines.
• Irreparable Blockages: If this oil enters the cooling lines, it can create a permanent blockage when you turn the appliance back on. This prevents the refrigerant from circulating, meaning your fridge will no longer cool. In our experience, this risks an irreparable failure that requires a full replacement.

This isn’t just our advice; it’s a core requirement from the people who build these machines. Appliance manufacturers like Whirlpool explicitly state in their manuals that upright transport is required to avoid voiding warranties and ensure the longevity of their products.

Is a Little Tilt Okay? Understanding the 45-Degree Limit

While horizontal transport is out of the question, a brief, minor tilt is acceptable for manoeuvring. You can safely tilt a refrigerator up to a 45-degree angle to get it through doorways or onto a dolly. The key is to keep the tilt minimal and for as short a time as possible, returning it to a fully upright position as soon as you can.

Does This Also Apply to Washing Machines?

Yes, absolutely. While the internal mechanics are different from a fridge, washing machines also have delicate, gravity-dependent components. Laying a washer on its side can damage the drum’s sensitive suspension and balance systems, throwing it out of alignment. This can lead to violent shaking, loud noises, or leaks when you use it next.

Your Toolkit for a Safe Move: Essential Gear for Moving Heavy Appliances

Before you touch your fridge, run through this pre-move checklist. Having the right gear on hand is the difference between a smooth, professional process and a stressful, dangerous one.

Must-Have Equipment Checklist

• Appliance Dolly with Straps: This is non-negotiable and a significant upgrade from a standard dolly. An appliance dolly is specifically built to handle the weight and awkward shape of a fridge or washer. The straps are essential for securing the appliance so it cannot dangerously tip over during movement.
• Moving Blankets & Shrink Wrap: Protect your appliance’s finish from scratches and your walls from dings. From our experience, proper padding is the cheapest insurance you can buy for your belongings.
• Furniture Sliders: These small, inexpensive pads make the first step—getting the appliance away from the wall—incredibly easy without gouging your floors.
• Strong Packing Tape: Use this to secure the refrigerator and freezer doors shut and to tape any loose power cords safely to the back of the unit.

The Most Important Tool: A High-Roof Van

All the equipment above is useless if your vehicle isn’t tall enough. Most modern refrigerators stand between 1.7 and 1.8 metres (about 5’7″ to 6′) tall, with some models being even taller. Standard cargo vans or pickup trucks simply don’t have the vertical clearance. This is where a high-roof van becomes the non-negotiable solution for safely transporting your appliances upright.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Move Your Fridge and Washer Like a Pro

Follow these expert-approved steps for a safe, damage-free appliance move.

Step 1: Prep 24-48 Hours in Advance

Proper preparation is crucial. Start at least a day before your move.

• Unplug the refrigerator and empty it of all food, shelving, and drawers.
• Defrost the freezer completely. This isn’t just about preventing a mess; it’s about stopping water from leaking into the appliance’s electronics during transit. Clean and thoroughly dry all interior surfaces.
• For a washing machine, disconnect the water hoses and run a final drain cycle. Ensure the hoses are completely empty before taping them into the drum or to the back of the machine.

Step 2: Secure Doors, Drawers, and Cords

Prevent doors from flying open and creating a hazard.

• Use tape or rope to securely fasten the fridge and freezer doors. Pro Tip: Avoid painter’s tape; it may not be strong enough. Use packing tape, but be prepared to clean off residue later.
• Tape any loose drawers or components on your washing machine.
• Neatly coil the electrical cord and tape it to the back of the appliance so it doesn’t drag, trip someone, or get caught on something.

Step 3: Protect and Load with the Dolly

Now it’s time for the heavy lifting—or rather, the safe rolling. Safety Warning: Always have a spotter to help you balance the load. Never attempt to move a large appliance alone.

• Wrap the entire appliance in moving blankets and secure them tightly with shrink wrap or tape.
• Place furniture sliders under the feet and carefully slide the appliance away from the wall.
• With your spotter, tip the appliance slightly (under 45 degrees) and slide the appliance dolly fully underneath. Secure it tightly to the dolly with at least two ratchet straps—one high and one low.

Step 4: Secure the Appliance in Your High-Roof Van

With the appliance securely on the dolly, it’s time to load it into the right vehicle.

• Slowly and carefully wheel the appliance up the van’s loading ramp. The person guiding from below should focus on pushing, while the person inside the van guides and pulls.
• Position the appliance against a solid interior wall of the van.
• Use additional high-quality moving straps to secure the entire appliance (dolly and all) to the van’s built-in anchor points. Check that it is completely stable and cannot tip or slide during transit. It should not wobble at all.

Step 5: Post-Move Settling Time

Once you’ve unloaded the appliance at your new home, don’t plug it in right away. Let the refrigerator stand upright in its final spot for at least 4 hours—or even longer if it was tilted significantly. This crucial waiting period allows any compressor oil that may have shifted slightly, even during an upright move, to drain fully back into its reservoir.

Choosing Your Vehicle: Why a High-Roof Van Rental is the Smartest Choice

When planning your move, the vehicle you choose is just as important as the dolly you use.

The High-Risk Alternatives: Standard Vans & Pickup Trucks

It’s tempting to try and use a standard van or a friend’s pickup truck, but these options introduce serious risks.

• Standard Vans: Lack the vertical clearance needed, forcing you into the exact situation you need to avoid: tilting the fridge at a dangerous angle or laying it flat, risking the permanent damage we discussed.
• Pickup Trucks: While often tall enough, they leave your expensive appliance exposed to weather and road debris. More importantly, they offer very few secure anchor points, dramatically increasing the risk of it tipping over during a sharp turn or sudden stop.

The Simple Cost-Benefit: Van Rental vs. a New Appliance

Think about the simple math. A modern refrigerator can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 or more. The cost of repairing a damaged compressor—if it’s even possible—can easily run into hundreds of dollars. In contrast, the cost of a one-day high-roof van rental is a tiny, predictable fraction of that price. Paying a small rental fee is a cheap and effective insurance policy against a massive replacement expense.

What to Look for in a High-Roof Van Rental

When booking your rental, confirm it has these key features for a successful move:

• Sufficient Interior Height: Measure your appliance first! Ensure the van has enough vertical clearance to stand it upright with a few inches to spare.
• Built-in Anchor Points: These are critical for properly strapping the appliance down so it can’t move. Ask the rental company how many tie-down points are available.
• A Loading Ramp: A ramp makes getting a heavy appliance on a dolly into and out of the van significantly safer and easier for a DIY mover.

For example, Go With The Gecko’s high-roof vans are specifically designed with generous interior heights (up to 2.1m) and multiple internal anchor points, making them a reliable choice for this exact task.

Move Smart, Not Hard: Your Key to a Successful DIY Move

Your appliances are a major investment, and protecting them during a move is entirely achievable. The key takeaways from professionals are simple: always transport refrigerators and washing machines upright, prepare them properly 24 hours in advance, and use the right tools for the job—especially an appliance dolly and a high-roof van.

With the right knowledge and the right vehicle, your DIY move can be both safe and cost-effective. You don’t have to choose between saving money and protecting your belongings.

You’ve got the pro guide, now get the pro vehicle. Protect your appliances and make your move easier.

Ready to move your fridge the right way? Book your high-roof van with Go With The Gecko today and ensure a damage-free move.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Why do you need a high-roof van to move a fridge?

Most refrigerators are too tall to stand upright in standard vans or SUVs. A high-roof van provides the essential vertical clearance (typically 1.9m or more) required to transport them safely according to manufacturer specifications, preventing damage to the compressor.

What happens if you transport a refrigerator on its side?

Transporting a fridge on its side allows critical lubricating oil from the compressor to seep into the sealed cooling lines. This can cause a permanent blockage, ruining the cooling system and leading to an expensive, often irreparable, failure.

How long should a fridge sit after moving it upright?

Let a refrigerator stand unplugged for at least 4 hours after moving. This allows compressor oil and refrigerant to settle back into place, reducing the risk of damage when you power it on.