Dometic RM 8551 door repair - Escape Trailer Owners Community
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Escape Trailer Owners Community > Escape Tech > Problem Solving | Owners helping each other
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 06-19-2018, 01:21 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
sunrisetrucker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Nanaimo Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Trailer: 2015 17b "Shelly"
Posts: 456
Dometic RM 8551 door repair

Last May we went camping for a few days. Part way through the trip I noticed the fridge door was leaning to the left. There was obvious something wrong with the top hinge. When we got home I took the fridge door off and quickly saw the problem. As the first picture shows the flimsy plastic hole where the metal pin sits (allowing the door to pivot) just cracked and broke apart.

I phoned a local RV store and was quoted $1,100 Canadian Loonies for a new one. Phoned ETI and Reese’s guesstimate was $500. Both out of the question.

Then I got the idea to get some epoxy and fill the whole cavity. I used J-B Weld MarineWeld.
https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/sea...#!q=MarineWeld

First I put a drill bit the same size the metal pin hinge into what was left of the original hole. I put a small amount of grease on the bit to stop the epoxy from sticking to it. (picture #2) I did this so I wouldn’t have to drill a new hole and the hole the bit would create would be in the exact same spot as the original. When I put the epoxy in I slightly over fill the cavity and made sure there were no air bubbles.

After the epoxy set but had not hardened yet, I removed the drill bit which came out easily and then using an exacto knife I cut off the extra epoxy.

I let it harden, then installed the door two days later. But before I did I noticed the bottom hinge was wearing into the bottom portion of the door creating possible future problems. ( picture #3) So I got a small nylon washer and put it between the door and the hinge (sorry no picture) My plan is to keep an eye on the washer and replace it as necessary.

This fix seems to be working. We just returned from a five day trip and so far no problems with the repair.
It just amazes me how something as vital as fridge door is so cheaply made.
Hope this helps someone with a similar problem.
Attached Thumbnails
IMG_4161.jpg   IMG_4200.jpg   IMG_4182.jpg  
__________________
Like a lot of fellows, I have a furniture problem. My chest has fallen into my drawers
"Billy Casper"
sunrisetrucker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-19-2018, 01:30 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
gbaglo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
Impressive.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-19-2018, 06:11 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Burlington, Vermont
Trailer: 2014 17b/ 2012 Chevy Colorado
Posts: 736
We had the same problem but it was within the warranty period and the entire unit was replaced.
yardsale is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-19-2018, 06:22 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
fudge_brownie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Janesville, WI, Wisconsin
Trailer: Escape 19 (sold) Escape 21 2014
Posts: 1,878
I am going to look at mine today. Any suggestions of what to look for? Does the door need to be removed for evaluation?
__________________
Paul and Janet Braun
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 now 2012 Toyota Sequoia V8
Escape 19' 2010 now 2014 Escape 21'
fudge_brownie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-19-2018, 08:27 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
MyronL's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: ..., New Mexico
Trailer: 2013 Esc19/'14 Silvrado
Posts: 4,193
Excellent repair solution. What can you do but keep the door strapped in place whenever towing?
Attached Thumbnails
Frig03.jpg  
__________________
Myron
"A billion here, a billion there...add it all up and before you know it you're talking real money." Everett Dirkson
MyronL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-19-2018, 09:01 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
cpaharley2008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
and do not overload the door....
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
cpaharley2008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-19-2018, 09:31 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Surrey, British Columbia
Trailer: 2013, 17B 'Mini Pearl' and a 2010 Highlander
Posts: 400
this site;
https://littlehousecustoms.com/store.html

has a;
FRIDGE HINGE REPAIR/DAMAGE PREVENTION KIT
which looks like a fix for these things

__________________
____
John
jxoco is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-19-2018, 09:31 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
Greg A's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Trailer: 2015 Escape 19 "Seventy Degrees"
Posts: 3,494
Brilliant! I love J-B Weld and use it quite a bit. Bet it holds up a long time.
Greg A is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-19-2018, 11:35 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
sunrisetrucker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Nanaimo Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Trailer: 2015 17b "Shelly"
Posts: 456
Quote:
Originally Posted by yardsale View Post
We had the same problem but it was within the warranty period and the entire unit was replaced.
I would keep a close eye on your new unit. If it happened once it can happen again

Quote:
Originally Posted by fudge_brownie View Post
I am going to look at mine today. Any suggestions of what to look for? Does the door need to be removed for evaluation?
Just look for abnormal wear. If it is the same model as ours then yes you have to remove the door to see any problems. Don't know about other models.

Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
and do not overload the door....
That's the frustrating thing, we travel with very little in the door
__________________
Like a lot of fellows, I have a furniture problem. My chest has fallen into my drawers
"Billy Casper"
sunrisetrucker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-19-2018, 11:43 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
sunrisetrucker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Nanaimo Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Trailer: 2015 17b "Shelly"
Posts: 456
Quote:
Originally Posted by jxoco View Post
this site;
https://littlehousecustoms.com/store.html

has a;
FRIDGE HINGE REPAIR/DAMAGE PREVENTION KIT
which looks like a fix for these things

I'm looking for a thin piece of aluminum and hope to make something like that myself and put on the bottom of the door.
__________________
Like a lot of fellows, I have a furniture problem. My chest has fallen into my drawers
"Billy Casper"
sunrisetrucker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-28-2018, 08:54 PM   #11
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Creston, British Columbia
Trailer: Escape 17B, 2007
Posts: 4
Dometic RM2354 fridge door

My door fell off the first day from purchasing this 2007 Escape 17B. I just did the glue. Is there anyone with insight for putting the door back on? Do I have to pull the fridge out for few inches? Help me! No weight in the door for sure, straps looks like a very idea.
BFaure is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2018, 01:37 PM   #12
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Whitehorse, Yukon
Trailer: 2013
Posts: 10
We have a 2013 17 B and had to repaire the fridge door. The fix worked. Had a stainless steel plate cut for the top and bottom with holed drilled. It was screwed on no problems.

For more info contact me will see if I can find photos
Al Ekholm
aekholm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2018, 02:34 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
sunrisetrucker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Nanaimo Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Trailer: 2015 17b "Shelly"
Posts: 456
Quote:
Originally Posted by BFaure View Post
My door fell off the first day from purchasing this 2007 Escape 17B. I just did the glue. Is there anyone with insight for putting the door back on? Do I have to pull the fridge out for few inches? Help me! No weight in the door for sure, straps looks like a very idea.
You shouldn't have to pull the fridge out. Removing the control panel above the door should give you access to the hinges.
The fix I did with J-B Weld has held up really well. We recently did a 13,000 Km (8,000 miles) trip and the door is still working perfectly.
__________________
Like a lot of fellows, I have a furniture problem. My chest has fallen into my drawers
"Billy Casper"
sunrisetrucker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-27-2019, 05:47 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Victoria, British Columbia
Trailer: 2023 21C
Posts: 104
Domestic 8551 parts

Domestic 8551 parts. Any suggestions, the hinge on the freezer broke. I’ve repaired it but I’m not sure how long it will last. I’m also looking for latch parts. thanks.
Attached Thumbnails
image.jpg  
dunnet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-27-2019, 06:12 PM   #15
Site Team
 
Donna D.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 11,023
David, here's a replacement latch: https://bastens.com/products/dometic...idge-latch-lef
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward
2014 Escape 5.0TA
Donna D. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-27-2019, 08:28 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Victoria, British Columbia
Trailer: 2023 21C
Posts: 104
Brilliant, thanks Donna.
dunnet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-03-2019, 11:25 AM   #17
Senior Member
 
MyronL's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: ..., New Mexico
Trailer: 2013 Esc19/'14 Silvrado
Posts: 4,193
A while back I had to deal with the same busted latch. Not knowing where to turn I decided to shape my own, which worked just fine. But then I saw Donna's post for Bastens.com and decided to get their true replacement latch, $11.00 which was then easily installed. (I chose right side orientation.) Just another thanks here, Donna.
Attached Thumbnails
frigLatch.jpg  
__________________
Myron
"A billion here, a billion there...add it all up and before you know it you're talking real money." Everett Dirkson
MyronL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-03-2019, 12:04 PM   #18
Senior Member
 
cpaharley2008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
You do know Myron that latch plate is not only for locking but is also your ventilation latch to allow air circulation.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
cpaharley2008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-03-2019, 01:07 PM   #19
Senior Member
 
Patandlinda's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2013 19 Escape
Posts: 7,203
Quote:
Originally Posted by MyronL View Post
A while back I had to deal with the same busted latch. Not knowing where to turn I decided to shape my own, which worked just fine. But then I saw Donna's post for Bastens.com and decided to get their true replacement latch, $11.00 which was then easily installed. (I chose right side orientation.) Just another thanks here, Donna.
Myron have the same refrigerator. Good to know about the replacement latch if I ever need it ! Thankyou ! Pat
Patandlinda is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-03-2019, 01:15 PM   #20
Site Team
 
Donna D.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 11,023
Quote:
Originally Posted by MyronL View Post
A while back I had to deal with the same busted latch. Not knowing where to turn I decided to shape my own, which worked just fine. But then I saw Donna's post for Bastens.com and decided to get their true replacement latch, $11.00 which was then easily installed. (I chose right side orientation.) Just another thanks here, Donna.
You're welcome. Even though I too need to fix the busted latch, I haven't done anything about it yet. I still need to figure out why it broke. Yes, I know it's because the latch wouldn't release high enough (for me). But why? I need to check out the frig hinges to see if one or both are cracked and allowed the door to droop a bit.
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward
2014 Escape 5.0TA
Donna D. is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off




» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Escape Trailer Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:45 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2023 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.