Community Forums

dilyse · 02-04-2018, 12:50 AM

Hello all-

We've always had a "conventional" RV refrigerator (absorption). Now we're looking at new RVs and virtually every one we like comes with a residential refrigerator. I understand that for "rarish" boondocking I can get improved batteries and solar.

However...I'm very concerned about potential appliance failure. Typical true residential are fairly fragile beasts and I'm worried what damage can be caused by bouncing them down the road on a regular basis. We tend to hit some pretty bumpy roads during our travels. We don't off-road but we do have times where we're bouncing along fairly roughly on bad roads.

What experiences have you had? Am I overthinking this and everything should be fine (within rv reason)? Or is this a real concern?

If they break how difficult are they to get repaired?

Thanks!!

vsheetz · 02-04-2018, 01:18 AM

We've had compressor go out and on another occasion a start relay replaced. GE unit factory installed. Can't say if failures are exasurbated by RV usage. However, having a RR is so much better than a RV refrigerator - IMHO. Plenty cold, large capacity, etc.

Repair not an issue. Pull it out of its hole and any appliance service can handle it. We've used 1800appliance. If you want or need RV service shop to handle due to having extended warranty or other reason, they will do the same - pull it from the hole and bring in an appliance repair guy.

As for dry camping - we do a fair amount. To include the bumpy roads. The RR is not a problem. The RR option includes two additional 6v GC2 batteries, for a total of six batteries.

markmiiler · 02-04-2018, 02:04 PM

We have a Samsung and for two years not a single issue. Love the ice cubes and the frozen ice cream.

redcolorado · 02-04-2018, 04:23 PM

Samsung 3.5 years no problems. Second best mod I have done.

tmw188 · 02-04-2018, 04:55 PM

Over thinking it I think.

Dtwallace · 02-04-2018, 05:01 PM

I'd be hard pressed to go back to anything other than an R/R in any future RV...

DTW

Mr_D · 02-04-2018, 05:06 PM

Eight years and 49,500 miled on my Jenn Aire bow. As far as I can find in the previous owners bills there haven't been any problems and I knoe there haven't been any in the last 3 years.

Ron Postma · 02-04-2018, 05:08 PM

From what I have seen the old style have many more issues. At least with a residential refer you won't burn your coach down. I am going on 3 years no issue. My refer has not been turned off the whole time. When not on shore power its on the inverter. I have heard that turning them on and off could be a issue.

cruzbill · 02-04-2018, 05:14 PM

I think a residential fridge is about the most reliable thing out there. The one in our house is now 14 yrs old, the one in the garage (beer!) must be 30 years old and still going strong!

Because of the height limit in our Beaver, I'm looking at a Fischer Paykel french door model, 67" high. Counter depth. Others have installed F&P, Samsung, and others. I don't know how I'll be able to add any batteries, though!

saddlesore · 02-04-2018, 05:22 PM

Ice cream & meats frozen hard, beer is cold, milk lasts like it should without going "blinky"....and and and ...... ICE CUBES!

kerryvan · 02-04-2018, 05:23 PM

The only issue that I’ve noticed over the past few months is with the new Samsung model, perhaps the new model does not like the msw inverters. This is still speculation right now. The previous model seems reliable and okay with msw.

Our whirlpool fridge has been okay and is a few yrs old.

saddlesore · 02-04-2018, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruzbill

I think a residential fridge is about the most reliable thing out there. The one in our house is now 14 yrs old, the one in the garage (beer!) must be 30 years old and still going strong!

Because of the height limit in our Beaver, I'm looking at a Fischer Paykel french door model, 67" high. Counter depth. Others have installed F&P, Samsung, and others. I don't know how I'll be able to add any batteries, though!

The actual current draw from a Residential is no more than the draw from your furnace blowers... We have 4 8D jel's and don't worry about it, just run the gennie a bit longer if needed. And as for solar... nice to have... but I'm just a cheepskate..

cruzbill · 02-04-2018, 05:48 PM

Saddlesore-Solar, Why it ain't no good in Orygun, 'cause it rains every dad' gum day! (At least that's what we tell them Califoryinn's! Shhh!)

firedoc · 02-04-2018, 05:49 PM

We have full timed with a Samsung since 2011 with no problems. 4 GC batteries and 2000 watt msw inverter. Not a burp. By far the best improvement we’ve made.