Forum Discussion

XRoadsCamper's avatar
XRoadsCamper
Explorer
Aug 12, 2025

Refrigerator

I have Dometic z fridge in my 2023 Thor. I talked to Good Sam Tech support. He had me remove the outside cover and feel the combustion chamber for heat. It was hot to the touch. He also had me feel the piping going from the chamber and they we outside temperature. He said the fridge lines are plugged and it can only be replaced because it’s a sealed unit. I passed this on to Camping World but they want to rig it to operate instead of replacing it. I have factory and extended coverage. It seems like every time they touch my camper something breaks in it.

13 Replies

  • There is a device called a Fridge Defend by ARP. It's a simple device hooked into the fridge and it actually shuts it off when it becomes too hot. When the temp lowers, it turns back on. This all works seamlessly and you don't know when it is happening. You can have it installed on any RV fridge. We had it installed in our Phaeton. I didn't think it even did anything but when we had a service done, it reported having turned on/off dozens of times. The tech said that even driving up/down hills/mountains causes it to overheat due to not being level. It was finitely doing it's job. The device was only around $100 and we had it installed by the Amish in Shipshewana, Indiana, and it was about $140 installed.

     

  • A hot combustion chamber sounds normal to me. What exactly is the problem?

  • Mistake 1….Camping World

    Mistake 2….camping world 

    Mistake 3….camping world. 
    You already get the picture but reinforcing it. 
    Thank goodness there is over 300million people in the US because I’d bet that CW gets about 3 repeat customers per year and everyone else is 1 and done with them!

    If you have a warranty you purchased that covers the fridge, time to start kicking and screaming in the middle of the showroom if they continue to refuse to honor the warranty. 

  • I would insist on them replacing it if it is really under warranty. the only way to jury rig a plugged fridge, if that's what it is, is to turn it over and let stuff settle out of the piping again and into the boiler.  the issue with this is it doesn't always work, and at best if it does the results are only temporary and you may get a year out of it or you may get 2 days.  

  • If it is truly plugged up there is nothing Camping world can do to get it working except for replace it. If you bought it new and ALWAYS made sure the refrigerator was level when on and parked then it's likely not plugged. If however you run the refrigerator with the RV significantly off level, then yes it's likely plugged. 

    When you tested the burner unit and pipes how long had the refrigerator been on? If only a minute or two then I would say run it longer like 30 minutes and then check again. 

    You would have to read your extended warranty carefully to see if the refrigerator is covered.

    If you are not comfortable with Camping World you can always see if a smaller dealer will look at it. But since warranty pays poorly don't be surprised if they won't touch it if they didn't sell it. 

    You can always call a mobile RV repair person to come and inspect it. They will probably charge you for driving time and an your to look it over. And they probably won't touch fixing under warranty. But at least you'll know if it's fixable or needs to be replaced. 

    • XRoadsCamper's avatar
      XRoadsCamper
      Explorer

      I bought it in May, it was a 2023 with 1500 miles on it and only an hour on the generator. It was parked on a level driveway for a year due to a death and then sold to Camping World.

      • way2roll's avatar
        way2roll
        Navigator III

        So you bought it used? Then how would you still have a factory warranty? Factory warranty is only for a year from the original purchase date. Sounds like the previous owners had it for a year. So yeah, you'd have to read the fine print on your extended warranty - or in most cases it lists what they don't cover. And if CW can get it working instead of replacing, why does that matter? If it works, it works. Does CW have it in their possession?

  • Unless it was a 2023 brand new leftover I don't think you have factory coverage anymore. Usually it's 1 year. And don't take it to Camping world. Find a smaller dealer or Rv tech to test it out. 

About Technical Issues

Having RV issues? Connect with others who have been in your shoes.24,301 PostsLatest Activity: Aug 15, 2025