RV refrigerators are different from residential-style fridges in that they’re designed to work in mobile environments. To remove an RV fridge, start by turning off its propane and electric controls. Next, locate the access panel that leads to the back of your RV fridge.
Once you have the panel open, it’s time to start shopping for a replacement. The first thing you’ll need to consider is size.
Size
The fridge in your RV can be one of the most important appliances for keeping your food cold. However, not all fridges are made the same and they can differ in size as well.
A good size for an RV fridge is around three cubic feet. This is enough to keep most people adequately stocked with food. If you are a big camper and want to bring more groceries, you may need to consider upgrading your refrigerator.
Dometic offers this two-door fridge with a spacious interior that feels more residential than most RV refrigerators. This refrigerator also has a very durable design and can handle the rigours of travel and camping.
This fridge has a large freezer compartment and includes two produce “crisper” drawers as well as a separate refrigerator section. This fridge also has a great feature that locks the doors automatically when your RV ignition is turned on. This will prevent any unauthorized access to your food when you are away from the RV.
Cooling
RV fridges do a great job of keeping food and drink cold while on the road, but there are some things that can be done to improve their cooling capabilities. First, make sure the fridge is actually working by checking the circuit breaker and 120-volt AC power source (you can do this by plugging a thermometer into the refrigerator, which will help you determine if there is a problem with the cooling coils or the 12-volt DC coach battery).
Make sure the fridge isn’t overpacked, particularly with hot foods or drinks – it makes the fridge work harder to cool those items. You can also add an aftermarket internal fridge fan to help circulate air inside the RV fridge.
Lastly, it’s important that the RV be level to operate the fridge properly – remember, the magic gas absorption stuff sloshes around when driving, so it needs to be level when parked as well. Parking the RV in the shade with an awning over the fridge side helps to improve efficiency, too.
Temperature Control
RV fridges are typically rated for a specific temperature range and they display this on a knob or on a screen. You may need to adjust this if you notice that the food is not staying cold enough.
When you do change the settings, give the fridge time to acclimate to the new temperature. Also, don’t overstuff the refrigerator, as this can restrict air flow and impact cooling performance.
Another thing to keep in mind is that absorption refrigerators require heat to start the cooling process. This is often provided by propane, but it can be any source that produces the necessary amount of heat. As such, if you are traveling in hot weather and want to use your fridge as much as possible, it is a good idea to bring along ice to help it cool down faster. This will also reduce the load on your propane tank and help it last longer. This is especially important when you are on a long camping trip.
Energy Efficiency
Residential fridges are usually more energy-efficient than RV refrigerators, which is important if you plan on boondocking. Energy savings can help you stretch your battery power and make your trip last longer.
With an absorbtion style RV fridge, the heat required to trigger the cooling process can come from any source, including propane. This is why these fridges are often referred to as 2-way refrigerators.
To maximize the energy efficiency of your RV fridge, it’s important that air can move freely through the fridge access door area. Check the fridge seals periodically and keep it clear of any messes or debris that could interfere with airflow.
Absorption fridges take longer to cool and can lose their ability to chill in higher temperatures or altitudes. They also require a larger battery bank and more frequent defrosting. These disadvantages may be offset by the fact that most new RVs come equipped with these appliances. If you’re planning on traveling long distances, consider installing an RV inverter to increase your power supply capacity.
