I've had both the Norcold and the Vitri models. Two of the Vitri, actually, as the first one failed, in part from shipping damage and in part from improper installation/camper construction. Biggest difference is the cabinet-- Norcold is properly insulated and has good door seals, while the Vitri was pretty much uninsulated/tin with leaky seals by comparison. Both use the Danfoss compressor so the peak power is the same, but the insulation and sealing of the Norcold gives you a much lower duty cycle for a given internal/external temp so your average power usage is lower.
The other big thing to consider is how the units are installed/vented. Both use a compressor, and the Norcold is designed for compressor and condenser cooling air intake and exhaust into the camper... BUT you'll want either one installed in a compartment set up for the usual propane refrigerator-- lower vent door, roof vent. The more air flow the better in terms of daily power usage and overall compressor life. The Norcold compressor and fan are up high, Vitri stuff is down at the bottom of the box where air flow is rather problematic.
That said, if you go with the Norcold (highly recommended :-) and the venting as above, you'll want to stuff some fiberglass insulation beneath and above the box to cut down on the outside air that will otherwise flood into the camper from the roof vent. The other thing the insulation does is filter out the 'skeeters and other critters that can and will get into the refrigerator compartment through the standard 1/4 in screening in the roof cap assembly :-)
When you do the installation, either unit, try to add some rigid foam insulation to the inside of the cabinet where the refrigerator will fit, or pack fiberglass abound the sides of the box if room is tight.
With my current Norcold, installed/insulated/vented as above, it can run at a nominal 50% duty cycle when the inside camper temp is 95 degrees, dial set at 4 (5 is max) and the door temp will be 35 degrees on top shelf. On the Vitri, same conditions, door temp would be close to 50 degrees. If you measure using a thermometer and water in a cup you might find the indicated temp to be lower, but I suspect still higher than one might want for food preservation.
Bottom line, the Norcold has been *much* better for me in terms of maintaining temps and power usage. It for sure has a better insulated and better sealed box. For either unit, be sure to vent the cabinet properly and add whatever other insulation you can.
Another consideration, if you have room in your truck, is to carry an Engel refrigerator/freezer. We have a 45 qt unit that goes with us on long road trips-- extra space and backup, lot better than ice if the camper refrigerator isn't cooling properly.
duncan
