Just had to replace the drain line on our Dometic fridge, the original condensate line installed by Dometic was of such poor quality, it disintegrated completely after only 6 years from normal weathering, it was an accident looking for a place to happen.Bottom line to replace the line with a much better high quality plastic condensate drain line and clamp (total cost of parts $5.00) the total cost was $289.00 which I felt was quite reasonable as the fridge had to be removed completely, reinstalled, propane lines disconnected, reconnected and tested, etc. All to replace a $5.00 condensate line.My complaint is why do these manufactures like Dometic make such a good product with such a piece of garbage condensate line???

Exposed to all that heat being generated and removed so your goodies stay cold.Course YOU could have done it yourself.Fridge only needs to be pulled out far enough to get to drip tray connector and route new hose

Yea I replaced mine about 2 months ago, the old drain hose was just cheap plastic, I went over to Lowes and bought a quality kink free rubber hose and did the job myself, did not need to pull out fridg.

Meanwhile, the 1998 Coachman TT we used to have (with Dometic Fridge) that now resides with a family member still has the original cheap plastic drain line. And it still works. This is a camper that's spent its entire post-manufactured life in the not-so-arctic region of inner FL.

morley wrote:My complaint is why do these manufactures like Dometic make such a good product with such a piece of garbage condensate line???They saved maybe $.04?

Why Do They Do This? | Good Sam Community

Hammerhead
Explorer
May 10, 2016
It's the same reason newer appliances only last 10-15 years and older ones lasted for 30 years.
et2
Explorer
May 10, 2016
Ice makers and us don't get along. Everyone we ever had at home failed in one part or another. Ruined our whole kitchen with a leak one time. That was the last. They are never connected anymore. Including the one in our motorhome.

The knuckleheads at the dealer reconnected it in the MH after telling them not to this year during the pressure check. Yep it leaked.

Ice cubes are real easy to make and less worry. IMHO and experience they are a accident waiting to happen.
austinjenna
Explorer
May 09, 2016
Keep in mind that when they built that refrigerator 6 or 8 years ago, they used a hose that was available at the time. It would have been impractical to test the quality of the hose for ten years first to see if it would hold up.

Sorry I disagree, there were quality hoses around at that time. Its cheaper for them and that's the bottom line.
morley
Explorer
May 07, 2016
Caveman Charlie, I will keep this in mind for next time. The job did take less than 2 hours but all of these guys up here have huge shop hourly rates.
Might cost me a few bucks to get to your place but it would be a great trip.
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
May 07, 2016
morley wrote:
Just had to replace the drain line on our Dometic fridge, the original condensate line installed by Dometic was of such poor quality, it disintegrated completely after only 6 years from normal weathering, it was an accident looking for a place to happen.
Bottom line to replace the line with a much better high quality plastic condensate drain line and clamp (total cost of parts $5.00) the total cost was $289.00 which I felt was quite reasonable as the fridge had to be removed completely, reinstalled, propane lines disconnected, reconnected and tested, etc. All to replace a $5.00 condensate line.
My complaint is why do these manufactures like Dometic make such a good product with such a piece of garbage condensate line???

289 DOLLARS ??? :E AND, you thought this was reasonable ? :h

Next time you need the job done bring the coach to me. I'll do it for 200 dollars. ;)

I think that even if the job was done the way you say it would still only take about 2 hours. Wish I made that kinda money.
timmac
Explorer
May 07, 2016
arush19 wrote:
How do you know you need to replace the hose? Does water start leaking onto the floor instead of the drip pan?

How do you know, just by looking at the plastic hose, my was dry rotted and 2-3 holes in it plus it crumbled when I removed it.
BB_TX
Nomad
May 06, 2016
3oaks wrote:
arush19 wrote:
How do you know you need to replace the hose? Does water start leaking onto the floor instead of the drip pan?
The water leaks down on the floor between the back of the refrigerator and the outside vent.

It should stick out slightly thru the lower outside fridge vent cover so that the water drains outside. If you do not see it, it may have already broken off behind the vent cover. If it is still visible, press on it lightly and see if it crumbles.
3oaks
Explorer
May 06, 2016
Deleted. Double post.
3oaks
Explorer
May 06, 2016
arush19 wrote:
How do you know you need to replace the hose? Does water start leaking onto the floor instead of the drip pan?
The water leaks down on the floor between the back of the refrigerator and the outside vent.
arush19
Explorer
May 06, 2016
How do you know you need to replace the hose? Does water start leaking onto the floor instead of the drip pan?

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