Best Fridge Type
We have had 2-way and 3-way fridges for years. I need to replace out discontinued Atwood unit that is a headache, and have been reading about the 12V compressor fridges. We are 99% RV Park type folks,...
Forum Discussion
trailer_newbe wrote:
Norcold has already discontinued production of the gas/elec fridges and Dometic will be next. Within a year or so you won’t be able to order a new trailer with a gas/electric fridge and the already new-built ones on the lot have mostly gone 12V. A 13 C.I. 12V can run on duel batteries all night and all day. Usually about an hour charge from solar or a generator is all that’s needed to get through the whole day, then one more charge in the evening.
Once new inventory runs out on the gas/electric expect on-line replacement prices to skyrocket. Not a fan of 12V myself but they are getting better and reality is that is where the market is going.
Norcold only has stopped producing Absorbtion fridges in the US, Ohio to be specific. They moved production out of the US, not unlike 100's if not 1000's of other Corporations have done over the last couple/3 years due to the econimc climate in the US. The Absorbtion fridge is not going away. You know Norcold was owned by Thetford, a British Corporation, and they were bought out by an investment firm (holding Co) in 2021.
RV manufacturers use the 12V compressor fridges because A, They're cheaper to buy and B, They have a significant labor and material savings, as well as a time savings, on the production line. They dont need to install wall or roof vents, build a cavity in a configuration for airflow, provide a gas line, etc. You could order a 2024 Rockwood tomorrow and get the Absorbtion Fridge option. You can do the same with most other brands be they Forest River / Thor / Winny / anyone.
