Residential fridge pros/cons
We are in the process of ordering a fifth wheel. The model we are looking at features an upgraded/larger residential fridge. I anticipate that most camp sites that we will visit will be within a few...
Forum Discussion
We were pricing out switching our Dometic 13cf fridge for an inverter and residential fridge in our 5 year old Suite.
Trying to find one with the correct depth is the tricky part and narrows it down to fewer models. While Samsung is popular, DRV uses Whirlpools. Initially side-by-side, now they use the freezer drawer on bottom with ice maker and water in the door. Many 5ers have smaller refrigerators with top freezers, that they can buy from Home Depot.
After pricing the upgrades with a technician, we decided it was time to buy a whole new Suite.
Because we added the 6500w generator option, we decided to save money and didn't get the 1000w inverter. But do have the 2 batteries that it would need to work with if we added in the future.
The residential is great for daily use. Love having a working ice maker. Winter, we will turn the water off if we're stuck in the frozen tundra again. Our Dometic ice maker always leaked and bit the dust during the first 2 mos. Best thing, I'm not defrosting the freezer every 2-3 mos.
I noticed that because everything freezes solid, some of the items act like mini-ice packs. So even if we get a 4-hr power outage at the RV Park, we don't turn on the generator unless we need AC.
I keep a few Ice Packs in freezer for travel. We drive from 4-6 hrs and find the refrigerator and freezer are colder than the old Dometic ever were. Plus it takes less time to bring temps down once we're hooked up to shore power. If it's cold, it barely takes any time. If it's hot, takes a little longer.
Trying to find one with the correct depth is the tricky part and narrows it down to fewer models. While Samsung is popular, DRV uses Whirlpools. Initially side-by-side, now they use the freezer drawer on bottom with ice maker and water in the door. Many 5ers have smaller refrigerators with top freezers, that they can buy from Home Depot.
After pricing the upgrades with a technician, we decided it was time to buy a whole new Suite.
Because we added the 6500w generator option, we decided to save money and didn't get the 1000w inverter. But do have the 2 batteries that it would need to work with if we added in the future.
The residential is great for daily use. Love having a working ice maker. Winter, we will turn the water off if we're stuck in the frozen tundra again. Our Dometic ice maker always leaked and bit the dust during the first 2 mos. Best thing, I'm not defrosting the freezer every 2-3 mos.
I noticed that because everything freezes solid, some of the items act like mini-ice packs. So even if we get a 4-hr power outage at the RV Park, we don't turn on the generator unless we need AC.
I keep a few Ice Packs in freezer for travel. We drive from 4-6 hrs and find the refrigerator and freezer are colder than the old Dometic ever were. Plus it takes less time to bring temps down once we're hooked up to shore power. If it's cold, it barely takes any time. If it's hot, takes a little longer.
