Horrible Reviews on popular Samsung replacement for Norcold 1200

[ellisda1]

Our Samsung RF18 is about 2 years old. Agree with lack of flexibility with shelves. We had a failure of one of the boards at a campground - took three days for the part, serious effort to get the fridge out of the compartment and back in, but now all is well. Agree that Samsung QC is horrible (I replaced a board and the ice delivery paddle in my home unit), but I don't know of a more reliable alternative. Definitely prefer the residential fridge to the NeverCold.

[RM travelers]

Originally Posted by StuartT

I was all in to replace my Norcold refer with the Samsung RF18HFENBSR 3-door many have recommended on this and other sites. But I also just came across this page from Consumer Reports where the customer reviews really trash this unit.



https://www.consumerreports.org/prod...4131/overview/ (Scroll down past specs to the reviews.)



Is this consistent with what you who have done this upgrade have experienced?

Our new 2016 Bounder had the RF18 3 door frig. 2 yrs now & no problems so far. Never liked the Norcold in our TT, great having ice maker in Samsung. Lots more room in frig. Had to get baby door locks fm WM to keep doors closed while driving, original doir licks fm Fleetwood did not work well. We can run frig all night on battery, Fleetwood battery/inverter working out good. Will need solar pnls to boon-dock for extended time without running gen, but DW won’t go without A/C for very long in 80+ weather anyway.

[Ivylog]

I bought a Whirlpool WRT771RWYB 21 cu ft refer as I hoped it was short enough to fit in the hole of my NoCold 1200...ended up 1/2" too tall to fit perfectly unlike the Samsung that are 6" too tall.
Here is my DIY install: http://https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/29110550.cfm

[docj]

Originally Posted by Ivylog

I bought a Whirlpool WRT771RWYB 21 cu ft refer as I hoped it was short enough to fit in the hole of my NoCold 1200...ended up 1/2" too tall to fit perfectly unlike the Samsung that are 6" too tall.

I'm glad that one worked for you, but some of us must use counter-depth residential refrigerators in order to maintain walkway clearances.

[tizzyfit]

After reading the reviews and comments, I thought they had just swapped the Norcold for the Samsung. By the way, if given the choice, I'd be happy to swap my Norcold for one of those unhappy customer's Samsung.

[JohnBoyToo]

You mean there are people out there that still believe Communism Reports ?!?!

[EZRider800]

I just swapped my Norcold for the Samsung RF18. I couldn't be happier. Ive only had it a couple months but it's run flawlessly the whole time. I wanted to buy the Whirlpool or the Maytag because their reviews were so much better but they wouldn't quite fit. Most of the Samsung's bad reviews were about the ice maker dumping too much ice??? Sounded to me like an adjustment that would be EZ to do. Most people don't read the owner's manual or instructions and then complain about it not working right. I'm sure there's a section on adjusting the ice maker in the owner's manual. I'm happy with mine so far.

[mbridinger]

I purchased a complete Samsung appliance package for our home about 6 years ago. Not enough time to write down all of the problems, paid $7000 ish for appliances. I now tell everyone I can never to buy a Samsung. Hopefully 100,000 people will read this.

[curtismb]

Replaced my cool-deficient Norcold 1200 with the Samsung RF197 in May,13. Best money I’ve spent on Coach-DW is totally pleased.
A pleasant surprise is the reduced power consumption while dry-docked. I have been able to double my time on batteries. Never expected that!
The refrigerator has performed flawlessly.
A friend replaced his Norcold last June with Samsung’s current model and is very pleased with the unit, as well.

[wildirishman]

Originally Posted by curtismb

Replaced my cool-deficient Norcold 1200 with the Samsung RF197 in May,13. Best money I’ve spent on Coach-DW is totally pleased.
A pleasant surprise is the reduced power consumption while dry-docked. I have been able to double my time on batteries. Never expected that!
The refrigerator has performed flawlessly.
A friend replaced his Norcold last June with Samsung’s current model and is very pleased with the unit, as well.

Curtismb,
I don't understand how the samsung uses less batteries than the norcold while not plugged into electricity. I haven't made the switch from the norcold yet as I like to dry camp a lot.

[FatChance]

When our Norcold went out last year, I went to Home Depot (Flagstaff, AZ) to get a Samsung refrigerator even though it would be a very tight fit due to the furnace under the refrigerator. However, they strongly recommended that I not buy the Samsung because of quality issues and a lack of people in the state who would even work on them. I ended up with a 15cf Haier that cost less than the Samsung and it fit better in the available space. We are very happy with the new refrigerator.

[RRR]

Originally Posted by mbridinger

I purchased a complete Samsung appliance package for our home about 6 years ago. Not enough time to write down all of the problems, paid $7000 ish for appliances. I now tell everyone I can never to buy a Samsung. Hopefully 100,000 people will read this.

At least you didn't spend the money for Kitchen Aid. Going on eleven years and had more trouble with that junk. Plus two of their faucets that need cartridge replacements every four years at $90 each. Hardly can wait for the cost next time.

I'll see your 100,000 and raise it to 150,000.

[docj]

Originally Posted by wildirishman

Curtismb,
I don't understand how the samsung uses less batteries than the norcold while not plugged into electricity. I haven't made the switch from the norcold yet as I like to dry camp a lot.

If someone tried running a Norcold on AC rather than propane when dry camping it would use A LOT of batteries. I'll wager that's that Curtismb was doing.

[diesel odor]

Originally Posted by JohnBoyToo

You mean there are people out there that still believe Communism Reports ?!?!

Lol.