My rig is a 2000 National Tradewinds 7371.My fridge is the original in this coach. It is a Dometic Elite 2-door fridge w/ice maker. The cooling unit has gone out so I either need to repair it, at an estimated cost of $1600-1800, or replace the fridge. The repair cost is high because a number of people have suggested buying a new cooling unit from Dometic rather than any unit from any other source due to failure rates of bad parts/suppliers in the market. I really don't want to repair a nearly 15 year old fridge. I'm considering trying to put in a residential fridge but am leaning toward a new Dometic Elite 2+2 which I believe is the recommended replacement for my unit. I have a new Magnum 2000W inverter and 4 house batts which should run a residential unit on the road and while boondocking, Others with these units tell me that should be no problem. The prime reason I am leaning away from the residential unit is the difficulty finding a unit which will fit well into the hole and require a minimum of woodwork to finish the job. I just cannot seem to find such a fridge. Though the new Dometic will be much more expensive, I'm thinking that it will be a better fit and much less hassle having the unit ordered by, and installed by, an RV dealer experienced with these units. At the moment I am in south Texas and am considering having Camping World, New Braunfels, order and install a replacement.I have read a number of posts on fridge replacements but none have been specific to my coach or fridge. What I am looking for here is someone who has replaced the old Dometic Elite in a Tradewinds or other similar rig and specifically what they replaced it with. Residential or RV fridge. Thanks in advance for any help here!Jim

Hi,There are lots of threads and many folks have gone residential for fridges.I would look at the 12 volt Nova Cool line up and see if something will fit.

As stated there are a lot of threads on this. I ditched the Not-So-Cold and went with the Samsung 197, now I can sleep at night plus I switched to the Magnum 2812 inverter.Don't know the size of your frig but here is just one install.http://rvseniormoments.com/projects/residential-refrigerator-upgrade/You have the new Magnum 2000W inverter so you are good there for any frig.I would never have Camping World do the install, do some checking for installs.JR

Jim,Before you go anywhere, check here for the fridge - http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/I bought my fridge from them and had it shipped to Massachusetts. I installed it myself with a total cost of $1000, including shipping. Now, I had other estimates without installation for the fridge for $1600 - $2200 for the same fridge. Again no installation.Since your in Texas they maybe close to you. Should mention that I replaced my old Dometic propane with the exact model. The fridge was 15yrs old, same as yours.-paul

I see you are in Medford, Oregon check out http://kustomcoachworksrv.com/ Bobby Vodden 541-501-3371 they did all of my installs. I ordered the frig and had it shipped to them then they did the install on frig and inverter plus other things. They do great work. Dang, you are in Texas now.JR

Thanks y'all for the replies! JR I'd not planned to go back to Medford just yet but will continue to look for a fridge and if I think I have a good one, I'll call the outfit you mentioned and see what they can do for me. Maybe they have a fridge in mind to put in this coach. Still hoping someone who did replacement in a coach just like mine will give me the model fridge to look at.

Dometic Elite Fridge RM 7732 GONE | Good Sam Community

jimzhr
Explorer
Aug 18, 2015
My Amish cooling unit has worked fine! As long as it works, I'm glad I still have a 2-way RV fridge.
ILVMYGT
Explorer
Aug 17, 2015
We just installed a Hotpoint (GE) apartment refrigerator (14.5 cf). It is a basic refrigerator but the same cubic foot as the old unit. We chose that unit because it was a minimum about of cabinet work to install and we didn't lose the drawers below it. The unit is 60 ¼ high. When we removed the Dometic and the trim above it, the opening was about 61 ½.

We have used it one for a 10 day trip and are very satisfied with it.

Amazing Creation in Junction City, OR ( www.amazingcreationsrv.com/ )did a nice job for us on some cabinet doors. They also do refrigerator changes. I have seen their work and it first class. Our friend had the Samsung delivered to them for the install.
Ozlander
Explorer
Aug 08, 2015
jimzhr wrote:
Good to know....thanks!

Is the new one working better the old one?
Do you think it's better?
jimzhr
Explorer
Aug 08, 2015
Good to know....thanks!
Tinstar
Explorer
Aug 08, 2015
I wouldn't worry about it being an "old refer". It's just a box with insulation. The cooling unit, that you replaced is the refrigeration. You could almost take a cardboard box, add some insulation and shelves to a new cooling unit and have the same thing. I know there's a little more to them, but not a lot.
jimzhr
Explorer
Aug 07, 2015
Sorry! I forgot all about this post and just found it today. If anyone is interested....I opted for a replacement Dometic. A "replacement" was shipped to the outfit in Bandera who was doing the work. Though a "replacement" for my unit, the new one was larger and would not fit in the narrow hallway. They shipped it back. Finally went with an Amish cooling unit and it was put in in March '14. It's worked fine since. I still feel bad about repairing such an old reefer but, oh well........
jimzhr
Explorer
Mar 02, 2014
It's been a busy week while trying to determine a course of action toward a new fridge. Thanks once again to everyone who offered help here! Once again being able to access such a range of opinion as well as expert advice is a huge help to someone like me who is simply an "appliance operator". With that, I've decided, for many reasons, that I'll have installed a new Dometic Elite 2+2 4-door fridge rather than the Samsung residential. My situation and concerns make this, at least in this rig for now, the best option and I'm comfortable with that. Once again, I really appreciate this group!
jimzhr
Explorer
Feb 26, 2014
Thanks again to all who have responded to my questions here! I really appreciate this site and and the helpful people. I am most likely going have installed the Samsung RF 197 AC and am speaking with Texas Custom Coach in Pipe Creek, TX about doing the job. They have done lots of these types of installs and seem very confident that this unit will work for me.

It's my nature to analyze "to death" so I still have nagging thoughts about the tight fit and adherence to mfg specs for venting not to mention access in the event of necessary repairs down the road. As to whether my inverter/batts will be adequate for boondocking, I'll deal with that when the time comes with solar or add'l batts.

Many others way smarter and more experienced than I have gone this route and I'll do the same.....crossing my fingers of course.

Jim
moisheh
Explorer
Feb 25, 2014
Are there some new 12 volt fridges that are as big as the 2 door Dometic or Norcold? I have only seen teeny apartment size units.

Moisheh
jimzhr
Explorer
Feb 25, 2014
I really know nothing about the systems I have in my coach....I just use them and rely on others for advice.

I dry camp a lot. Usually I'll spend a day or two at a time boondocking and each morning I run my generator for an hour or so while I make coffee, ,maybe use the microwave and charge my 4 6v house batts. The longest I've gone without shore power was 15 nights at a Forest Service campground and I had no problems. When I dry camp I use the tv sparingly and the micro almost not at all.

So with my Dometic refer running on propane my batts have been fine for dry camping. I would also like to run the refer while driving. That said, I'm looking for assurance that adding this Samsung 197 will not add a power draw which the batts can't handle or which might damage the batts.

I see posts from lots of people using this Samsung. I'd like to think that many of you dry camp as I do and with a good 2000W, or better, inverter and 4 good house batts that I have plenty of power without being plugged in.

Am I correct?

Thanks again! This forum had been a tremendous help once again!

Jim

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