Moving an upright freezer?

[GoldenMom]

I'm buying an upright freezer from one of my friend's co-workers ($50 for 18 cubic feet in good condition, not too bad!). I will be moving it about 35 miles. Is it true you can't lay an upright freezer down? It would be so much easier to lay it down (heck it would fit in my minivan with all the seats down), but if that will hurt it I'll borrow Dad's truck. Any other suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[m39fan]

You can lay it down but need to wait a little while (I'd go 24 hrs but I'm always overly careful) BEFORE plugging it in. This will allow all the oil, etc to go back where it belongs so you don't lock up the compressor.

HTH,
Mike

[Ed Norman]

I use the old rule to leave it upright and unplugged for as long as you had it laying down. 3 day move, 3 days upright and unplugged.

[65284]

I've heard the same thing many times. I have also moved refrigerators and freezers laying down many times. I moved one 30 miles laying down less than a month ago, no problem. The key is to leave them sitting upright for several hours, overnight if possible, before plugging them in.

[Ross]

We use the 24 hour rule too. Never had a problem before but that's hardly quality insurance! (between two house and frigs and freezers to and from the farmers' market we move a lot of refrigerators though!)

[citilivin]

My understanding is it depends on the age. Apparently newer models (less than 10 years I've been told) are of a design that you don't have to wait. On older models the freon needs to flow back to the compressor.

[GoldenMom]

Thank you all so much!!!