Removing Dometic DM2663 refrigerator

[gklott]

We have the large Dometic DM2663 tri-mode 6 cu ft. refrigerator in our 19'. We need to remove it.



Getting it out of the refrigerator closet is straight forward, but tight. Six screws and some spray-in foam hold it in place. Once free to slide forward, removing it from the cabinet takes two people to carefully pull it out and lower it.

Using furniture pads, we got the Dometic to the door to find that you cannot take the refrigerator through the door opening. The door opening is 22-7/8" wide.

Minimum front width is 24-3/4".



Minimum depth is 24-7/8"



We figured there must be a way to wiggle it out the door, through the narrow path between front bench and kitchen cabinet.

There is a top heat exchanger that spans the entire width in the back. When combined with the other tubing and exhaust stack, there's no way to angle the unit to get it out.

Seems the only way to get it out the door is to remove the entire refrigerant unit from the back, and that pretty much kills the unit.

How do you get the refrigerator out the door?

73/gus

[davidmurphy02]

I recall others who needed to remove/replace the fridge having to remove the door frame, which makes the opening just wide enough to fit.

[Chris R]

Originally Posted by davidmurphy02

I recall others who needed to remove/replace the fridge having to remove the door frame, which makes the opening just wide enough to fit.

yes, correct, a bit of work to take out and reinstall

[MVA]

Originally Posted by davidmurphy02

I recall others who needed to remove/replace the fridge having to remove the door frame, which makes the opening just wide enough to fit.

David,

For my background information, do you mean the door frame of the trailer or of the frig?

--Steve

[davidmurphy02]

Originally Posted by MVA

David,

For my background information, do you mean the door frame of the trailer or of the frig?

--Steve

The door frame of the trailer.

[MVA]

Ugg. Thanks

[davidmurphy02]

Sometimes when people post build pictures it will seem like the trailer is not very far along inside but the fridge is sitting there....they probably put it in early in the process before they put the front door on.

[gklott]

Originally Posted by MVA

Ugg. Thanks

Ugh is right. Removing the door frame to service the refrigerator is nuts. Poor, bad design.

73/gus

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by gklott

Ugh is right. Removing the door frame to service the refrigerator is nuts. Poor, bad design.

73/gus

Or, maybe customers keep demanding bigger.

[gklott]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Or, maybe customers keep demanding bigger.

Exactly. You properly design the trailer for what the customers “demand.” If Escape offers an option, the design should fully support it. Removing the entire door frame to service an appliance is poor engineering. Escape should fully disclose this in the option description.

Would Dometic warranty cover door frame removal?

73/gus

[RangerMan]

Originally Posted by gklott

Exactly. You properly design the trailer for what the customers “demand.” If Escape offers an option, the design should fully support it. Removing the entire door frame to service an appliance is poor engineering. Escape should fully disclose this in the option description.

Would Dometic warranty cover door frame removal?

73/gus

When my fridge failed soon after I received my trailer, Dometic finally agreed to replace it. A repair faciality in Corpus replaced it and had to remove the door and frame. Dometic would not pay for that part of the repair but I talked to Dustin and ETI paid for it. About $200 .

[gklott]

Originally Posted by gklott

How do you get the refrigerator out the door?

You remove the entire refrigerant system from the back.



I followed the method shown on

Mortons on the Move, "Converting our RV Fridge to a High Efficiency DC Compressor- 8x More Efficient! and Better Cooling!"

The empty cabinet opening is 23-7/8" x 53-7/8".



Next task is to clean out the cabinet, including removing the wood deflector at the top back of the cabinet.

73/gus

[MVA]

Gus,

Did you disassemble the frig in the trailer (remove the cooling unit on the back) or remove the trailer door in order to get the frig out of the trailer? Was it possible to do the conversion inside the trailer so you would not have to remove the frig box out of the trailer?

[gklott]

Originally Posted by MVA

Did you disassemble the frig in the trailer (remove the cooling unit on the back)?

Yes, removed the cooling unit while still inside the trailer.

Originally Posted by MVA

or remove the trailer door in order to get the frig out of the trailer?

Did not remove the trailer door. Once you remove the cooling unit, the remainder comes easily through the door.

Originally Posted by MVA

Was it possible to do the conversion inside the trailer so you would not have to remove the frig box out of the trailer?

Yes, I believe it would be possible to do the conversion inside the trailer. The company that makes the conversion has one that fits the DM2663.

We laid the Dometic down on the floor after removing the door handles. We protected the cabinets and flooring with moving pads.

However, we are NOT doing the conversion.

We are replacing the Dometic DM2663 with an Indel Webasto Isotherm Cruise 195 COMBI Stainless Steel (INOX) DC/AC marine refrigerator / freezer {model 1195BB7NK0000}. Lots of marine dealers sell this frig/freezer. The highly efficient, fan cooled 12/24V Danfoss / Secop compressor (type BD35F X 2) is a proven design.

The Cruise 195 is also a near perfect fit into the cabinet space. It is 6.9 cu ft (fridge: 4.6 + freezer: 2.3) with dimensions H x W x D (inch) 52.9 x 21.4 x 22.5.

The Cruise 195 goes through the door!

73/gus

[gklott]

The Dometic DM2663 doors, shelving, and any other parts are available free, local pickup only. We are about an hour drive west of Austin or an hour drive north of San Antonio, TX. Send a PM if interested.

73/gus

[MVA]

Easier replacement than removal. Good luck in this retrofit.

[gklott]

Originally Posted by MVA

Easier replacement than removal. Good luck in this retrofit.

You have that right. Our new Isotherm Cruise 195 refrigerator/freezer was MUCH easier to get into place. It actually fit through the door.



We are working on trim and the DC/AC connections now.



73/gus

[sofmerc]

Originally Posted by gklott

You have that right. Our new Isotherm Cruise 195 refrigerator/freezer was MUCH easier to get into place. It actually fit through the door.



We are working on trim and the DC/AC connections now.



73/gus

Nice! Do they offer a gas option on that fridge or just 120/12v?

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by gklott

You have that right. Our new Isotherm Cruise 195 refrigerator/freezer was MUCH easier to get into place. It actually fit through the door.
73/gus

That is a very NICE looking frig!

[Red Dog]

Originally Posted by gklott

The Dometic DM2663 doors, shelving, and any other parts are available free, local pickup only. We are about an hour drive west of Austin or an hour drive north of San Antonio, TX. Send a PM if interested.

73/gus

Dah! We probably just drove past your place today!

Just sent you a PM.

Fred Morón