Dometic RM8551

[75thRanger]

Dometic replaced my fridge on my 21. It wouldn't cool and it was finally determined that the cooling unit was defective.

My RV dealer did all the work and had to remove the trailer door to get the fridge in. Charged two hours labor to do it. I have checked the door very carefully and can't tell it was removed/replaced.

They tell me they do it routinely an it's no big deal.

I called Dave at ETI and they reimbursed me for the labor. Nice!

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Patandlinda

Dave removing the screen ,which I did to install my new floor is what I would do . There are a few refrigerators out there that would work . I just in case have checked . Pat

Pat: Only suggesting it as an absolute last resort if one finds a fridge they want that just can't fit through the doorway. Some may not even realize that removing the cooling unit is an option.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

Pat: Only suggesting it as an absolute last resort if one finds a fridge they want that just can't fit through the doorway. Some may not even realize that removing the cooling unit is an option.

I know Dave, basically just commenting it really isn’t a problem . There are many ways to install if you need to ,a new or different refrigerator . And I for one am not worried if it ever comes to that . Pat

[John in Santa Cruz]

fwiw, on the classic 21's, the door folds back flush so probably doesn't need removal ... but the screen might.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

fwiw, on the classic 21's, the door folds back flush so probably doesn't need removal ... but the screen might.

John really on our trailers if needed the screen and it’s frame Are in the way Pat

[MyronL]

On my 2013 19 the door opening is 22¼ inches wide and the screen door is 24¼ inches wide. Wondering if I can gain another quarter inch of width by removing the black gasket. Of course, that's a moot point since I found out the narrowest 4 cu ft Dometic costs $1300 beans and might not scrape by anyway.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by MyronL

On my 2013 19 the door opening is 22¼ inches wide and the screen door is 24¼ inches wide. Wondering if I can gain another quarter inch of width by removing the black gasket. Of course, that's a moot point since I found out the narrowest 4 cu ft Dometic costs $1300 beans and might not scrape by anyway.

Myron I never measured the screen door and my previous post was spell checked . Just commenting there are solutions and I am not worried . Always could remove the refrigerator door too . I think when I was looking I found I think they were Norcold ‘s that would work . I have also considered putting in a compressor drawer on a slide or a compressor refrigerator etc. I don’t think I want to lose the gas refrigerator at this time . I think because these refrigerators are so expensive would fix mine first even if I had to pay for it . I hate paying for labor but as was mentioned a rv tech maybe could solve this pretty quick . Good luck Myron and let us know what happens . As I said before these refrigerators aren’t as robust as they used to be and they require constant maintenance and maybe part fixes . Pat

[75thRanger]

Originally Posted by 75thRanger

Dometic replaced my fridge on my 21. It wouldn't cool and it was finally determined that the cooling unit was defective.

My RV dealer did all the work and had to remove the trailer door to get the fridge in. Charged two hours labor to do it. I have checked the door very carefully and can't tell it was removed/replaced.

They tell me they do it routinely an it's no big deal.

I called Dave at ETI and they reimbursed me for the labor. Nice!

I should have said that the entire door frame assembly was removed in order to replace the fridge.

[MyronL]

What I don't get is why Escape insists on installing a 3-way refrigerator as standard, instead of a 2-way. Anyone who has tried it finds out pretty quick that running a fridge on battery power is the quickest way to totally deplete that battery.

[cpaharley2008]

Sometimes manufacturers charge more for less. Same for automobiles, a lot of standard items may not be needed nor wanted but are included....anything less will cost you more,,,,,?? With standardization comes economies of scale in production which lowers the cost and increases the profit margin....