RV refigerators life span?????????
Is it unusual for an RV refrigerator to last 24 years?
Forum Discussion
- Probably, but I think the lifespans are all over the place. IMHO they work till they fail.
- FWIW my last trailer went 10yr before it rusted out near the burner. Was mostly used on gas
- I saw a post a couple of years ago about the chemical they use is caustic and erodes the metal tubing they use in the fridge which causes the tubing to fail. If that chemical is flamable it explains the problem.
- I have seen them go 20 years without a problem and I have seen some go out in 2 years.
- I sold our 1970 Travel trailer last year, and the (original) fridge was still working fine. I replaced the electric element about 5 years ago, but it never stopped cooling on propane.
:)
CC - The older RV frigs would last 20 plus years. But the newer ones, well I see them failing or 2 or 3 years. I will not have another RV frig.
Ken - Older RV fridges can easily last 20+ yrs cause they were built with thicker wall tubing.
Newer ones cut costs due to expense of steel...thinner wall tubing was used. And thermal stress cracks happened where welding was done. Usually on electric heat element holder and perk tube wall.
Same chemicals have been/are being used........Anhydrous ammonia, water, hydrogen gas and sodium chromate (rust inhibitor)
Atwood recently got into RV absorption fridge market with their 'Helium' fridge
(Replaced hydrogen gas)
Thinner wall tubing is more prone to overheating which KILLS a absorption fridge
Also........more bells & whistles, more electronics,,,,,more issues with operating. greende wrote:
Probably, but I think the lifespans are all over the place. IMHO they work till they fail.
That was exactly the answer I was looking for. Thanks- Ours lasted 10 years and was used on gas/electric. However, we bought the TT used and it was used previously as a seasonal (not traveling) setup and the Fridge was always left on during the use season. So, in that respect it is probably hours of usage and not calendar age.
- My current Dometic is going on 11 years and I just had to replace the cooling unit this summer.
