The RV fridge is a staple of any well-equipped travel trailer or fifth wheel. The RV refrigerator helps to keep food fresh and cool, providing a critical comfort for any camper on the road. However, the RV fridge can also be a source of frustration when it isn’t working properly. Some issues are simple to fix with a bit of DIY experience, but others will require the help of a professional technician. Knowing what to look for can save you a lot of frustration and time searching for a good RV repair shop.
The most common type of RV refrigerator is an absorption model. These refrigerators use a mixture of propane gas and electric power to run. They are generally less expensive than residential fridges because they can be used both on the road and when parked at established campgrounds. They can be two-way models that run on LP gas and electricity, or three-way models that will run on either LP gas, shore power, or direct current from the battery. Some will automatically switch between power sources, while others require you to manually flip a switch.
Aside from the basic maintenance such as regularly cleaning the condensate drain pan and ensuring the vent is clear, there are some other simple things you can do to extend the life of your RV fridge. One is to turn it on the night before your trip so that it can get fully cooled down – this will also help to reduce your electricity consumption. Another is to start with a full load of cold food, as this will help your fridge to cool down more quickly. You can also buy a small fan for the back of your fridge to aid in air circulation. This will help the fridge to operate more efficiently, especially in hot weather.
The most important thing to remember is that your RV fridge is an appliance, and it will break down over time just like any other appliance in your rig. It is also very expensive to replace a refrigerator in an RV, so you need to be sure that you are willing to make that investment before buying a new one. Unless you are skilled in the art of DIY refrigerator repair, it usually makes more sense to simply replace a broken or inefficient unit rather than trying to save money by repairing a bad cooling unit. In fact, in some cases the labor to remove and install a replacement RV fridge will cost more than the actual price of a new refrigerator. That’s because large RV fridges often have to be hoisted through windows or even entire slide-out rooms. It is a job that requires two people, and it can be a very messy process if the movers don’t take precautions to protect your RV’s interior. rv refrigeration