Residential vs Gas/Electric Fridge?
After a set back in our plans, we're back on the trail looking at fifth wheels. I think my last question comes down to which type fridge? We'll have some solar no matter, but since we're looking at a ...
Forum Discussion
Solar is a mixed blessing from my experience...if you get a sunny site to take advantage of the solar output, then the trailer bakes and you need a/c to keep cool. A shady site keeps the trailer cool, but kills solar output.
I have 4-6V batteries that give me 420 amp hours, I can park in the shade, stay cool with a fan, and run my absorption fridge for a week without needing the generator or solar.
I think a lot of the manufacturers are installing residential fridges because 1) they are cheaper to buy that a good Dometic or Norcold absorption fridge, and 2) it sounds classier in the brochure to say that the trailer has a "residential" fridge. Let's face it, most trailers with 2 or 3 a/c's are designed to be used on shore power, so having a residential fridge is no issue. You'll never see a trailer that is configured for boondocking with a residential fridge.
I have 4-6V batteries that give me 420 amp hours, I can park in the shade, stay cool with a fan, and run my absorption fridge for a week without needing the generator or solar.
I think a lot of the manufacturers are installing residential fridges because 1) they are cheaper to buy that a good Dometic or Norcold absorption fridge, and 2) it sounds classier in the brochure to say that the trailer has a "residential" fridge. Let's face it, most trailers with 2 or 3 a/c's are designed to be used on shore power, so having a residential fridge is no issue. You'll never see a trailer that is configured for boondocking with a residential fridge.
