Been reading some other questions here about cooling fridge unit replacement. My fridge leads a good life. It is religeously kept level and is only turned and and off once a year. It's going on its 11 season now.My question os for fellow RV'ers with geriatric fridges.I'm wondering if they can last for 6~8 or even 10 years, is it likely it will go forever?Or is it on borrowed time and it should be replaced proactively? Please, this is not a discussion of switching to residential units.Thanks in advance for your input. Scott

I have one (dometic) that is 21 years old and still going strong. Could fail tomorrow or last 10 more years. Who knows?

"ScottG"......The smaller two door Dometic and Norcolds could easily last 20 years. No need to proactively replace. If you have one go bad, they usually have a newer version that will fit right in. The refers having the issues that you are reading about are the larger four door models, predominantly the Norcold LRIM.

It is actually based on the usage (hours). Low usage should last a while. we purchased a used TT that was used as a seasonal unit and the fridge was always left on. It only lasted 10 years.

My last one lasted 13 years before the cooling tubes corroded and leaked ammonia. My present one (refurbished) lasted 3 years before the thermostat on the electric side quit. I replaced the thermostat and it has been another 4 years. I think the average will be around 13-15 years. That is what the shop that sold me the "refurbished" one said. Refurbished in that shop was to replace the ammonia unit coils, and do nothing but clean the electronics, burner, wiring etc. I now know how easy it is to "refurbish" an old Dometic and will do my own if needed.

Hi,My previous RV is from 1987 and the fridge still works. It was a Norcold.

How long will fridge go? | Good Sam Community

47 Replies

doxiemom11
Explorer II
Mar 23, 2015
Ours is a 2000 4 door model and so far so good.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Mar 23, 2015
Hi,

Running the fridge on electric costs about $0.70 per day where I live. Over a ten year life span that works out to about $2550.00. Propane would be even more expensive.
tenbear
Explorer
Mar 23, 2015
I'm no expert, but it would run more maintaining the temperature than letting the temperature rise to ambient then cooling it down again. Same reasoning as letting the water heater cool then heating it up again uses less energy than keeping the water hot. Less heat escapes to the surrounding space.
Tystevens
Explorer
Mar 23, 2015
Along these lines, what do you all think would better promote fridge life -- leaving it on all season, or turning off and then re-cooling every 2-5 weeks?

I've been one to turn on before first trip of the spring and generally leave it on until our last trip. Mostly for convenience -- I love having all the stuff in there, just ready to head out. But I've also surmised that running hard for 24 hrs to cool down every couple weeks is probably more work for the unit than just maintaining the temp.

So what do you fridge experts think?
pira114
Explorer II
Mar 23, 2015
My 1987 Norcold is still going strong
mlts22
Explorer II
Mar 23, 2015
I have to agree about the feeling that older fridges will last longer than newer models. For example, a friend's RV has an older fridge that has a pilot light, and does not need electricity in any way. Newer fridges have to keep the control board powered, which is a fairly common item that fails.
W4RLR
Explorer
Mar 22, 2015
My Norcold 6312 went twenty years before I had to replace the cooling unit. Put an Amish unit in and it should be good for another twenty.
D_E_Bishop
Explorer
Mar 22, 2015
Ours was new in 1990 and is a typical more or les in that is driven about 3200 miles on average. OP on put 13,000 on in the first 10 years and we were locked to the S&B for seven years caring for MIL. Some times it is impossible to level and while it is only for 10 to 24 hours at a time, supposedly the damage is cumulative.

My feeling that the older units had fewer bells and whistles(mainly, no electronics) and will last longer than todays units.
marcsbigfoot20b
Explorer
Mar 22, 2015
My 2000 dometic lasted 14 years before clogging/poor cooling. New Amish unit works better and twice as fast cool down.
portscanner
Explorer
Mar 22, 2015
Made in 2002. Replace the board w/ a Dinosaur board in 2011. Beer still stays cold.