Residential Refrigerator Help

[Sooner_Schooner]

Thinking of replacing our refrigerator with a residential type, what brand would you all recommend based on size, price, etc.? The $1000 range is my hope but not locked into that. Pretty sure we will have to remove the windshield to install it since we have only a 24 inch door. Ours will go onto our slide out, will the added weight be a major problem? Thanks for any assistance you can give.

[Ivylog]

Put piece of plywood on the steering wheel and moved the seat all the way back and reclined it so no problem with either. It is not a counter depth refrigerator and it still came in although it was a tight fit with the doors off.

[Sooner_Schooner]

Our current refrigerator is a Norcold 1210IM

[Sooner_Schooner]

Ivylog wrote:
The closest in size to a Nocold 1200 that I could find is a 21 cuft Whirlpool WRT311FZDB. I removed the driver's side window and with the doors off it just fit. Here is my DIY project and no the weight will not be a problem.
I added a separate battery system with a 1000W PSW inverter for it as we boondock often.

Did the steering wheel get in the way, and did you remove the seats?
Thanks you all for the great advice.

[dons2346]

No way would I remove the windshield as there is a great possibility that you will break it when reinstalling.

Take the doors of both refers, remove a side window, frame and all. You will have room to take out the old and bring in the new.

[Ivylog]

The closest in size to a Nocold 1200 that I could find is a 21 cuft Whirlpool WRT311FZDB. I removed the driver's side window and with the doors off it just fit. Here is my DIY project and no the weight will not be a problem.
I added a separate battery system with a 1000W PSW inverter for it as we boondock often.

[horizon36]

I went with a Samsung RF197, which has now been replaced with the RF18. These are very energy efficient. You will need to get a counter depth unit. If you currently have a 12 cuft unit like the Norcold 1200 the depth and width of the opening will be OK. You will have to increase the height of the opening by about 7". You can find out what size opening your unit has by looking at the installation guide for your current fridge.

Are any of your side windows big enough to use instead of taking out the windshield? We used a patio side window that measured 40x48 with no problem. If your door is 24" wide you can bring the unit in that way by taking out the passenger seat. You can easily take the doors off the fridge.

Also consider what kind of power you're going to feed it as some fridges don't like modified sine wave power and the fridge manufacturers may not honor the warranty if something goes wrong. I installed a separate 600 watt PSW inverter just to run the new fridge.

[accsys]

We have a Whirlpool WRS342FIAM00 21.3 CuFt that is currently about 50% more at Lowes than you wanted to spend. It did fit in the same space our Norcold 1200 was in with minor cabinet work. With the doors off, it will come through your LR window. Ours is not in a slide out but as Harold said, the RRs weight less than the Norcolds. While our is a side by side, many who place them in a slide out get the three door models with freezer drawer at the bottom.

[harold1946]

Most residentials are lighter so that should not be a problem. Measure the height, width and depth and the search the different manufacturers to find a fit.
You might post the make and model of the current refer. There is a good possibility someone may have already made the upgrade.