Forum Discussion

talotto's avatar
talotto
Explorer
May 31, 2015

Recommend Residential Refrigerator?

Well, my Norcold N842IM finally quit working on AC. Since I rarely boondock, then only a quick overnight somewhere, I'm thinking that rather than repair a 12 year old unit, I'd replace it with a residential unit.

So, does anyone have any recommendations for one that fits the space (60HX23WX24D - inches), is preferably frost free, and has an ice maker option?
  • I had a leak problem with my RV fridge so I replaced it with a Haier 10 Cubic foot unit (58"tall x 22 1/2" wide x 23" deep) purchased from Lowes for around $350. We couldn't be happier with it. But bear in mind we do very little boondocking.Installation was fairly easy although I did have to do a little trim work but overall a lot easier than I thought it would be. Hope this helps.
  • We looked into the amish cooling units as a repair for our NEVERCOLD, but then we considered that all the other components were 11+ years old. We ascertained that it was going to cost a small fortune to replace with a similar RV propane/ac fridge new and they don't cool as good as residential.

    So we checked several stores and ended up buying a residential single door with freezer square up top a little smaller dimensions but holds far more and better usable space for fitting a pizza for example than the old RV fridge. We filled in surround with matching wood The difference in price paid over half the cost of installing 1000w solar and 880amp hrs batteries plus Midnight Inverter and other bits.

    We initially were stainless focused which limited our options but we found a regular one for less than C$700 and it doesn't look out of place at all in our 13 year old Gas RV. I'm sure if it were a newer RV we'd have paid the extra thousand plus for a stainless one and done a bigger reno project on the insert space. So far delighted with it and the solar set up.

    Will likely be replacing our current RV in the next 5 years, but for now, this works perfectly for us, spending more time outside exploring than in our RV generally.

    Also do make sure you check FRIDGE REVIEWS fully and carefully - we were put off the Samsung RF???? which many mentioned they'd used as a replacement, when we read so many folks having issues with large amounts of water collecting in the produce drawers and having to empty daily at a certain age. Just saying, doesn't hurt to check reviews on whichever fridge/freezer you decide might work at the end of the day. It's a lot of work typically to replace and finish the trim surround, so we didn't want to have to do it more than once.
  • If it still works on gas, the cooling unit is good, and your fix will be cheap and easy...
  • Stay away from a Frigidaire. I know from first-hand experience that they won't honor the warranty if installed in an RV. Chances are you won't need the warranty, but wouldn't you know, we received a defective fridge and didn't realize it until we had already installed it. At the very least, no matter what brand you buy, plug it in and make sure it isn't defective BEFORE you install it.
  • I used a Whirlpool WRT111, at Lowes or Best Buy for about $440.

    Works great at 24 x 60 by 24.

    No more spoiled milk or melted ice cream!
  • I just had to cut a bit but the samsung fit in after cutting a bit off the top and removing the storage cabinet underneath.
  • There's no french door fridge that will meet your specs. I would take your figures to BestBuy, Home Depot and Lowes along with a tape measure. You are going to want a "counter depth" fridge with will be around 24" deep. Height, you might have to modify a bit. Usually that's doable. Where you will have difficulty is with the width. I'm thinking a single door with a freezer above....I installed a Samsung 197 last year, but it's 31" wide and 70" tall....good luck...Dennis

    Here's one close to your dimensions....Dennis

    AJ Madison

    And Another

    Affordable Stainless
  • Samsung makes a French Door unit that many of the Tiffin folks have put in their coaches. It may not be an exact plug and play but usually only a bit of work is necessary to get some additional clearance or drop the floor if the fridge is not currently at floor level.
    I would drop by the Tiffin Owners forum and see what they are using.