I've totally HAD IT with my propane refrigerator. Camping at the beach last week where the temperatures at night got down to mid 50s and during the day into the high 80s, the propane refrigerator temperature in both the freezer and main unit was all over the place. Melted Ice Cream in the afternoon and frozen vegetables in the morning! I bought an internal fan system and a rheostat temperature control from JC Refrigeration and it didn't help at all.....Soooo... I've decided to go with a compressor refrigerator.....8 cu ftThe choice is a $1500 12V DC unit or a 120v residential unit for $400 and an inverter.My trailer has a 1000w Xantrex inverter, 520watts of solar and 200aH of LithiumIf the inverter and residential frig needs more battery bank, I can buy a bunch of battery Ah for the $1100 difference!What say the board? Any experience with the residential/inverter situation?The residential refrigerator I'm looking at has a rating of 6a @ 120v.The DC refrigerator is 3a at night -9a during the day at 12VThanks in advance!

First consideration is how you're gonna get it inside the camper. The 12v unit will likely fit through the door and fit the existing opening. A residential style might require removing a big window and some retrofitting to your existing spot.

Agree on thinking through the physical remove and replace aspect first. But I would venture to say probably not much difference dimension wise on the various options. I looked at a 10 cu ft fridge yesterday and it was just a tad smaller than my current Dometic. Heck you may have just as difficult a time getting the old one out as getting the new one in.I've been thinking over the past year or so of doing the same. I've been leaning residential, but paying attention to this thread to see what others recommend. Price point wise, it's an easy decision. $400 vs $1500. Mike

providing you can get it inside residential is the way! get a bigger inverter or one dedicated only tothe fridge. same with the battery bank.

First consideration is how you're gonna get it inside the camper.My trailer is a Toy Hauler...No problem whatsoever getting old out and new in...

I'm reading a bunch of Q and A on Home Depot and Lowes sites about using residential refrigerators in an RV.....Two issues jump out. The manufacturer says to not store, unused non operating, in freezing or over 100 degrees. This might be an issue when not using the trailer....Second issue is manufacturer says these residential refrigerators are not meant to be bounced down the road while operating....voids warrantee

Help with Refrigerator Decision | Good Sam Community

30 Replies

Rbertalotto
Explorer
Aug 07, 2023
Since I am stuck in one place with full hookup, I replaced my refrigerator with a Hotpoint 9.7 cu ft residential -- $400 from Lowes

That is the EXACT refrigerator I'm looking to use.....
Walaby
Explorer II
Aug 07, 2023
Rbertalotto wrote:
First consideration is how you're gonna get it inside the camper.

My trailer is a Toy Hauler...No problem whatsoever getting old out and new in...

Yeah, I don't think you'll have an issue there.

OTOH - for me, I'd have to probably move my island and take out the pantry wall, or remove window. That's why I haven't done it yet.

Mike
TenOC
Nomad
Aug 07, 2023
Since I am stuck in one place with full hookup, I replaced my refrigerator with a Hotpoint 9.7 cu ft residential -- $400 from Lowes. I had to trim about 1/2 inch off of the left side of the opening to allow it to fit. Very happy now.
Rbertalotto
Explorer
Aug 06, 2023
we stored our class A with a Whirlpool resi fridge in the heat of summer
and cold of winter.

Thanks...You'd think they are warehousing these units and shipping them in standard trailer trucks with no temperature control......And trailer trucks bounce the s$%t out of stuff.....Maybe the whole caution is just a CYA on the part of the manufacturer?
rk911
Explorer
Aug 06, 2023
we stored our class A with a Whirlpool resi fridge in the heat of summer
and cold of winter. only trbl was auto ice maker. get some ice cube trays…pblm solved.
Rbertalotto
Explorer
Aug 06, 2023
I'm reading a bunch of Q and A on Home Depot and Lowes sites about using residential refrigerators in an RV.....Two issues jump out. The manufacturer says to not store, unused non operating, in freezing or over 100 degrees. This might be an issue when not using the trailer....Second issue is manufacturer says these residential refrigerators are not meant to be bounced down the road while operating....voids warrantee
Rbertalotto
Explorer
Aug 06, 2023
First consideration is how you're gonna get it inside the camper.

My trailer is a Toy Hauler...No problem whatsoever getting old out and new in...
rk911
Explorer
Aug 06, 2023
providing you can get it inside residential is the way! get a bigger inverter or one dedicated only to
the fridge. same with the battery bank.
Walaby
Explorer II
Aug 06, 2023
Agree on thinking through the physical remove and replace aspect first. But I would venture to say probably not much difference dimension wise on the various options. I looked at a 10 cu ft fridge yesterday and it was just a tad smaller than my current Dometic. Heck you may have just as difficult a time getting the old one out as getting the new one in.

I've been thinking over the past year or so of doing the same. I've been leaning residential, but paying attention to this thread to see what others recommend.

Price point wise, it's an easy decision. $400 vs $1500.

Mike
spoon059
Explorer II
Aug 06, 2023
First consideration is how you're gonna get it inside the camper. The 12v unit will likely fit through the door and fit the existing opening. A residential style might require removing a big window and some retrofitting to your existing spot.

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Help with Refrigerator Decision

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