Well, the day has come. Today the Norcold in my 2004 coach gave up the ghost in the form of a belch of ammonia. As many problems as people have had with them, I guess 10 years of heavy use is not bad.Since I full-time and don't really boondock, thinking residential is probably the way for me to go.If you have replaced your 1200LRIM, please share what brand and model unit you replaced it with, and what kind of cabinet mods may have been required. I need to start shopping around while I live out of an ice chest!One extra detail - my fridge is in an enclosure with a furnace unit below it, so about 68" of height is all I can accommodate with some slight mods.OP FINAL REPORTSee the result of my upgrade at this thread.

The SamSung RF197 ACRS seems to be the one used most when replacing the Norcold 1200LRIM......if you can squeeze it in.70 1/8" H32 1/8" W30 1/2" D

Like Old Biscuit said, I put in the Samsung 197 and it is great. They did have them at Home Depot. What area are you in. If in the NW Phoenix area, I used Bullseye RV and they were excellent. I bought the unit at Home Depot and then had them put it in. Macktee

We put in a 22 cubic foot side by side whirlpool but we had to build the cabinet out 2 inches. Wanted to go with the RF197 but the boss liked the whirlpool better. Looks good. Works great.

Go to the post I did yesterday. I ask the same questions and was sent to a specific site in iRV2. There is one posting where the gentleman actualy took pictures and I think video of the entire procedure from start to completion. Good luck,

With a shore power I wouldn't think twice, residential fridge is the way to go. For boondocking - no way, unless you love listening to your generator.Brand doesn't matter - too much - as long as it fits. I would stay away from no-name knock-offs, they come up in big box stores once and again, and may have noisy compressors or other problems. Width is most often the problem, RV frig cabinets are not too wide. Open the outside lid and measure the cabinet width. Then go inside and estimate the height and depth to the best of your abilities, considering the trim. Then measure the trailer door width to make sure that residential will fit through. Shut the propane off and cup the fridge propane line - duh...

What did you replace your Norcold 1200LRIM with?

26 Replies

moisheh
Explorer
Feb 04, 2014
Although most Samsung users are content I do not like either Samsung or LG . They have next to zero customer support. BUT although a few have had a minor problem with a drain hose there are RV'rs that full time and are using the Samsung with no problems. It is even used by some OEM's. If they ever stop making that unit finding a fridge will be difficult. Our Dynasty has a factory Amana( Whirlpool) and it is now 5 years old with no problems.

Moisheh
uncle_t
Explorer
Feb 03, 2014
I had the Samsung rf197 installed. be forewarned: Samsung has the worst customer service anywhere in the free world. just google Samsung customer service complaints and stand back. My icemaker failed out of the box and after several phone calls on hold for hours and many emails, absolutely no results.
Macktee
Explorer
Jan 23, 2014
I am sure you will love it. Good Luck. Macktee
deandec
Explorer
Jan 23, 2014
Thanks for posting your resolution and the unit info.

I find it useful.

Glad you found the refer that you needed.
John___Angela
Explorer
Jan 21, 2014
tkcas01 wrote:
OP here. For what it is worth, the only unit that will work for me is the Fisher & Paykel 16.9-cu ft French Door Counter-Depth Refrigerator (RF170ADX4).

It is 2" shorter than the aforementioned Samsung. It is going to be VERY close but will fit in the space available over the furnace that is there now. A bit pricey, but with my constraints I really didn't have a whole lot of choices.

I have exchanged notes with someone on the iRV2 forums that went with this unit and they are very happy with it - says the quality/durability is very high.

Would love to hear about and see the results. Good luck on the project.
tkcas01
Explorer
Jan 21, 2014
OP here. For what it is worth, the only unit that will work for me is the Fisher & Paykel 16.9-cu ft French Door Counter-Depth Refrigerator (RF170ADX4).

It is 2" shorter than the aforementioned Samsung. It is going to be VERY close but will fit in the space available over the furnace that is there now. A bit pricey, but with my constraints I really didn't have a whole lot of choices.

I have exchanged notes with someone on the iRV2 forums that went with this unit and they are very happy with it - says the quality/durability is very high.
Almot
Explorer III
Jan 21, 2014
Whether it be useful to the OP or not, - the more of correct info, the less bullsh-t in internet. Which will be eventually useful to everybody else.

Just to clarify, in case if somebody will ask "so tell me what fits". It has to fit in BOTH cabinet and trailer door. The abovementioned Samsung may fit in the cabinet but not have enough room for door swing in his particular location, or not fit through the door. And/or there can be better replacement options. He has to take measurements. Then compare it against suggested replacement models.
John___Angela
Explorer
Jan 21, 2014
deandec wrote:
Why has everyone hijacked this thread to discuss boondocking attributes of residential refrigerators? :(

He just wants to know what residential refer works best as his replacement.

Keep on topic and help our fellow members, if you can!

Good morning.

It's a discussion and sometimes discussions drift. It's all good info for both the OP and others in the future.
Almot
Explorer III
Jan 21, 2014
deandec wrote:

He just wants to know what residential refer works best as his replacement...

... and this has been answered in the very few posts. The one that fits will work. It's a matter of cabinet size and door width. This very subject had been discussed a week ago, btw.
deandec
Explorer
Jan 21, 2014
Why has everyone hijacked this thread to discuss boondocking attributes of residential refrigerators? :(

He just wants to know what residential refer works best as his replacement.

Keep on topic and help our fellow members, if you can!