Residential type refrigerator

This past winter the original Dometic refrigerator failed in our coach. It was much cheaper to install a residential refrigerator. And, in the same space we have a lot more cubic feet in the refrigerator and freezer. I have a 3000 watt pure sine wave inverter (Xantrex SW3000)and plenty of battery power. When I am not hooked up to shore power or running the generator the refrigerator runs off the inverter. When the coach is being driven the diesel alternator not only keeps the coach batteries charged but the house batteries as well.

In my opinion, in today's world, the residential refrigerator is the only way to go. The Dometic and Norcold refrigerators have out-lived their usefulness in the RV environment. And, in addition they are overpriced for what you get.

I have a Palazzo with a residential fridge and it is much better than my previous RV fridges. The only time power has been an issue was in Glacier NP where they have very restrictive hours on generators. With the quiet diesel I probably could have gotten away with running it but did not want to take the chance. Your coach will have auto-start in the generator control to start it automatically when the batteries get too low. My coach is a 2013 model and came with an incandescent bulb in the fridge. I picked up an LED bulb and changed it out to reduce power draw. I have also changed out most of the interior lights.

I bought the Palazzo for the floor plan. It seems to have gotten a bad rap for quality but mine really has not been any more trouble than other campers I have had. I readily concede that I have never had a high dollar RV and may not know what I am missing. I do enjoy the floor plan and having an extra $50k or more in my retirement account.

The main issue with Palazzos seems to have been that the tracks running the slides in and out were not properly shimmed at the factory. Before you buy one make sure that you see evidence of at 50% tooth engagement, preferably 60%, on the racks attached to the ends of the slides. I have not seen any recent posts here lately about that problem so it seems that it has been resolved at the factory.

If you would like any more insight into the coach send me a PM.

Just installed a house refrigerator (Samsung 20.0 cu ft) in our Allegro Bus 2001. Had a (Not so Cold (Norcold)) that had quit working all together so we made a decision which turned out to be the best thing since slice bread. Purchased from Plessers.com for about $900.00 with free delivery (2 weeks). GS gave me the repair cost of the Norcold and additional removal/installation cost. Took the money and invested in the Samsung and a local RV dealer installed it for about $600.00 which came out about even on the money.
The house refrigerator runs and stays cold long without power so my inverter keeps it going with ease and as everyone else replies every once in a while crank up your ginny for about an hour to keep you going until you can plug in?
Plenty of room inside, plus ice maker, LED lighting..freezer setting @-2F and Fridge set @38degrees. I had rerstrictions on depth but they had one with the demensions I wanted & needed. There will be some modification to your cabinet space but my fit was easy since I did not have to do it. You will not regret this switch over...I never want to be on propane again and not too mention the safety issues.

Had some black plastic paint so I installed the door locks.

The addition of a Samsung RF197 in our Monaco Diplomat was the best singular upgrade that we made. The Samsung RF197 was a perfect refer for RV's. The stainless steel model was very luxurious looking and fit right in with our interior. I REALLY liked the ice maker better than my new coach refer. The Samsung had a huge ice basket.

When my coach is parked at home, my charger usually shows Float charge. When we're on the road and stop for the day, my batteries often show Fully charged, something I rarely see. So the engine keeps my batteries fully charged while running the refer on the road.

We use a velcro strap on the handles to keep the fridge doors from opening. The freezer hasn't been a problem (yet).

Our new RV has the residential fridge and we've had no problems at all. Like someone else said, the fridge is going to stay cold unless you open the doors, even without power. Traveling in FL, we have to run our generator most of the time anyway to keep the AC going. When we don't, the inverter takes care of the fridge just fine. We don't usually drive more than 8 hours in a day, if that, so it's not an issue running off the batteries. Lots more space in the residential unit and even have an ice maker. Biggest issue is figuring out how to keep the doors shut while driving.

Yep, actual refrigerators like you'd have in a house. It was one of the few things on my "must have" list when we looked at new motorhomes.

Awhile back someone started a thread asking what everyone considered to be the best upgrade they ever bought or did as a modification. The resi-fridge seemed to be the fave.

IMHO!!! I think you can buy at least 3 residential fridge, to on RV fridge!
If you travel just 6-7 hrs a day the fridge will probably be ok with out power, unless traveling in the desert. We have had both . The residential gets my vote!!M

Yes I can go a full day and night before running my generator. If I am traveling I only put the genset on in the morning to make coffee and to charge the battery so as to not burn up the alternator recharging the house batteries. Bulk charge us much easier, faster and works till you can turn it off amped let the alternator top it off. Now that said, I love my residential and if I had the inclination to boondocks for days on end in the desert, I would put on solar and not worry but here in the mid Atlantic when it was 98 and humid all three AC units were going. In fact the generator is running most of the summer unless I am plugged in