My current Dometic RM2862 is a 2005 model and the cooling unit is failing. I can purchase a Norcold at a heavy discount, but do not know if the Norcold model is as reliable as the Dometic which I cannot get at a discount. I can purchase a Norcold for about the same price as a new cooling unit for my current Dometic. Looking for opinions from others.PLEASE... No comments about home style or compressor models as they are NOT and option.

I've had both and the one thing I think Norcold has over the Domectic is you can adjust the frig temp in the front of the fig with out moving a thing up and down inside the domectic. other than that I don't think there is much difference in functionality.

I have had both.Quality is about the same.Each have had their problems.It would be a coin toss in favor of the less expensive one

You might also take a look at the new Atwood helium refrigerators. They aren't as sensitive to being out of level. They did have some problems with defective electrical heating elements caused by a supplier, but they've worked through those now.Atwood Helium Reefers

I don't think it matters, expect to your pocketbook.

They are both cheaply made. My Norcold 1200 recently failed. I replaced the cooling unit with an Amish made. It is much better made than the factory unit. In my case I would have replaced it with a res unit but that would mean taking out a window. Same for a new unit. A new replacement CU is a third the price of a new fridge.

Opinions Dometic or Norcold refrigerator | Good Sam Community

enblethen
Nomad
Jan 21, 2015
OP should clean the stack and rattle the baffle which is a couple t a few inches up the stack from the burner. Then cleaner the burner and burner area.
Rvpapa
Explorer
Jan 21, 2015
To the O/P
Since you state the unit is failing and not dead yet, and you don't want a residential, if the problem is not cooling well on gas the first thing to do is clean the burner orfice. Many times a fridge that is having a hard time cooling properly will recover after this.
Art.
bigwheel1970
Explorer
Jan 21, 2015
slotsavegas wrote:
My current Dometic RM2862 is a 2005 model and the cooling unit is failing. I can purchase a Norcold at a heavy discount, but do not know if the Norcold model is as reliable as the Dometic which I cannot get at a discount. I can purchase a Norcold for about the same price as a new cooling unit for my current Dometic.

Looking for opinions from others.

PLEASE... No comments about home style or compressor models as they are NOT and option.

If you want it to last just a few years then buy a new fridge. If you want something that is going to last much longer and is much cheaper then replace the cooling unit. Check out Ebay. I Purchased mine from Arcticold.
RustyJC
Explorer
Jan 21, 2015
As far as I'm concerned, Norcold versus Dometic is 6 of one and a half-dozen of the other. I've had both in previous 5th wheels, and I've failed the cooling units in both within 6-12 months of taking delivery of the RV.

Glad the new one has a residential fridge!!

Rusty
slotsavegas
Explorer
Jan 21, 2015
jetcare wrote:
The N841 ammonia filled Norcold refrigerator in no longer in production and the new NX 841 is the replacement. It has the new Helium filled cooling unit.

Are you sure about this unit being Helium Filled ???
I have not been able to find any mention of this in the Norcold product literature.

Also, it appears the Dometic is slightly larger, will this cause appearance issues ? will I need to retrim the opening ???
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Jan 18, 2015
NXSS...stainless panels
NXBK...black panel

NX841 Install Dimensions – 59 7?8” H x 23 1?2” W x 24” D

RM 2862 Install Dimensions - 59 15/16" H x 23 11/16" W x 24" D

Dometic is slightly larger opening.....but easy to trim out.
Just make sure rear fridge clearances are correct otherwise that new fridge will not cool properly. Installation is critical to proper draft & cooling.

Thought Atwood was the only Helium RV Fridge?
RAS43
Explorer III
Jan 18, 2015
ckwizard777 wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Look for a residential to replace it with.

Like!!!

I guess you didn't notice the note about that not being an option! :R
Goostoff
Explorer
Jan 18, 2015
Our old 1995 Hornet had a Norcold. It never gave us an ounce of trouble. We sold the trailer to the neighbor kids and they use the******out of it and it is still going strong.

Our current 2005 Cedar Creek has one of those Dometic where you have to slide the thingy up and down. I have it to the coldest setting I can get and I still need to keep my beer in a cooler so it stays cold enough for my taste. In the 2 years that we have had it I have had it fail twice. One time was a blown fuse that is the oddest size known to man and nearly impossible to find. The other time it just started working on its own for god only knows why.
jetcare
Explorer
Jan 18, 2015
The N841 Norcold refrigerator in no longer in production and the new NX 841 is the replacement.

You will need to buy replacement door panels if you go from the Dometic to the Norcold.

Sometimes the LP copper line is not in the right position or long enough to convert from Dometic to Norcold so you may have to deal with that.
ckwizard777
Explorer
Jan 18, 2015
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Look for a residential to replace it with.

Like!!!