We have a 2005 Fleetwood Excursion 39S with a Norcold 1200 that has given us problems over time so we've considered installing a residential refrigerator. We've read what we can on the subject and talked to people with them in their MHs. Here is something that I had not considered. As some of the residential refers get older, they're requiring servicing and there lies the problem. Two people we've talked to have needed to have them serviced. When they went to do so, the RV shops refused to do so because they knew nothing about them. They then call standard residential refrigerator repair shops and they refused to service them because they can't get to them - meaning in a house you just roll the thing out from the wall which you can't do in a MH. Both of them had to have an RV shop remove the refer, set it in the middle of the floor, then call an appliance repair shop for the repair and then have the RV shop reinstall the refer.- Are there others out there that had the same problem?- How did you handle the repairs to your residential refer?- Had you even thought of having this problem?Bill

that very well could be true ;; one just deals with it if and when it happenswhen you say "service" ? I assume you mean repaired

Considering what a residential fridge costs, if I had a failure, I'd landfill the old one and upgrade. Gotta keep the landfills growing after all.

I don't have residential fridge in the RV - but I would observe that typical residential fridge issues are replacement of circuit board and that doesn't involve moving the fridge. If you have to replace the compressor in the rear my guess it's time for a new fridge anyway. Just my o2.

Here is some first hand experience. Our 08 Dynasty came with a Jenn Air huge side by side. Always worked flawless. This fall after being unused for almost 6 months I turned on the fridge. Next morning nothing. I could hear the compressor running. I became nuts!! The fridge has to come out through the driver side window. Seat would have to be removed. Big deal. We live in the country and there is one large service center for appliances within 2 miles. They were booked up for 2 weeks. I called another one and he came out on the next day. A Saturday. Nice young man. He checked a few things and said he would return on Sunday with his dad who has the recharge kit. His dad has 35 years experience. The compressor is accessible from the outside access panel ( where a gas fridge would have the vent. They charged it with Nitrogen. 2 hours later there was no leakage. I wont go into a long explanation but today's fridges run on lower pressure. Sometimes oils from the compressor get into the line and you have a blockage. He charged the system but a little higher than normal. This would push the oil back to the compressor. It doses slightly affect the efficiency. Works great. Here are some of his comments. Today's appliances are throw away. I was lucky that he only charged me $130 for the 2 service calls. A factory serviceman would be at least double plus drive time. If it needed anything beyond a sensor the fridge is toast. If the evaporator was leaking (common) he would replace it to avoid the difficult removal.Most everything is accesable from panels inside the fridge. The Foreign made fridges that everyone is installing have the evaporator inside the fridge walls!!! Parts cost would be about $170.00. He stated that in his experience once you do any repairs in no time you will need more. But I would never go back to a propane fridge. Hope this helps. I should add that he said it is not unusual for fridges that are under warranty to be repaired for the same problem 2 or 3 times. All of the fridges are the same. Same for any large appliances. JUNK!Moisheh

7 years with a residential, never had problem, never needed to have it repaired/servicedNever had one repaired in a stick house eitherI remember Mom having the washing machine repaired, but never the fridgeAnything can break, stop workingBut i think residential fridge problems are vary RareCompared to other appliancesMy fridge does not have ice and water in the doorThe more complicated you make it, the more there is to go wrong

Have you had your residential refer serviced? | Good Sam Community

Dutch_12078
Explorer II
Dec 02, 2017
We haven't had any problems with our residential fridge either, although it's only been in use for two years so far. We have a 50 year old fridge at our upstate NY vacation cottage that's been relegated to "summer drinks" status, but it's still working fine.

I did have an RV park neighbor last year that had a local appliance repair service tech come and work on their residential fridge. He replaced a failed defrost timer, and all the work was done through the outside lower vent. I loaned him a step stool that made it easier to reach what he needed, but it wasn't a difficult job. He said he had replaced the compressor in an RV residential fridge under warranty not long before that, also through the vent opening. He said the hardest part of that job was finding something to sit his vacuum pump on, since it didn't have a long enough hose to reach the ground.

I guess the answer to the question though, is failures are uncommon, but if they do occur, there are techs that will work on them. The problem may just be a matter of finding them...
moisheh
Explorer
Dec 02, 2017
Just go to some of the forums for household appliances. Yes, years ago appliances would last a long time. fudges were not electronic and the components were sturdy and easily replaced. Not today. But I still would never go back to a gas fridge. Especially a Norcold!

Moisheh
gutfelt
Explorer
Dec 02, 2017
moisheh wrote:
Just go to some of the forums for household appliances. Yes, years ago appliances would last a long time. fudges were not electronic and the components were sturdy and easily replaced. Not today. But I still would never go back to a gas fridge. Especially a Norcold!

Moisheh

on the other side of the street had norcold 1200 series for 13 years in various MH and never had any problems
always worked well
Dale_Traveling
Explorer II
Dec 02, 2017
I installed my residential so getting out for service or replacement would not be difficult. Being a 10 cu ft model helps. A retro fit coach has the advantage of the external vent allowing access to the workings but a new coach with a factory install doesn't have the vents. If you can at least get the fridge out of the space and onto a furniture dolly getting a appliance tech to look at it is probably doable. Fortunately the failure rate is fairly low.
Dutch_12078
Explorer II
Dec 02, 2017
moisheh wrote:
Just go to some of the forums for household appliances. Yes, years ago appliances would last a long time. fudges were not electronic and the components were sturdy and easily replaced. Not today. But I still would never go back to a gas fridge. Especially a Norcold!

Moisheh

That's partly why we chose a residential fridge to replace our failing Norcold that had no electronics except the typical compressor starting components, and a simple defrost timer and fan setup. No ice maker or other higher end features to fail. And all serviceable parts except the fan and light can be reached from the rear through the vent.
Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Dec 02, 2017
My current residential fridge was installed in 1999. The DW is hoping it dies! She wants a new French Door Fridge. After 18 years she will get her wish if that happens.
tinkerer
Explorer
Dec 03, 2017
So far so good with our Samsung,That being said we would never go back to the Norcold 1200. One of the best upgrades we ever made was getting rid of the 1200.
hone_eagle
Explorer
Dec 03, 2017
Had mine serviced and everything was accessible from the freezer compartment.
Executive45
Explorer III
Dec 03, 2017
When mine goes bad, I'll assume it's a sign and get a new motorhome...:)...Dennis
Mile_High
Explorer
Dec 03, 2017
Winnebago was kind enough to provide an outside hatch to the residential fridge, and I've replaced the ice maker solenoid valve successfully through there. If you are removing an absorbtion fridge, you already have some large outside access panels.