RV refrigerator

[amabee]

May seem like an odd question this time of year, but I'm trying to think ahead to when it actually gets warm outside

The little fridge we had in our popup struggled, to say the least, in warmer temps to maintain a good temp. It would quite often run around 45F, for that reason and because it was so small, we put most of our food in a cooler. I think a lot of that had to do with how it was located, not that there are a lot of options in popup, and the hot air really didn't move out of the upper vent very well. I did put a small fan in the bottom to force some more airflow which helped quite a bit.

The question I guess I have is, do the larger fridges struggle as much? I would think the heat would rise out much better as it's a straight shot, just trying to determine if adding a fan to help out will be needed. With the larger fridge, we'd like to do away with the cooler. Just curious what others have experienced with their fridges.

Thanks.

[Mainenebula]

I too moved from a pop-up to a hybrid. Same issues with the fridges that you recount. The larger hybrid fridge is great. Keeps very cold even the freezer. Now remember I am in the northeast and we don't have the consistent heat. I am considering adding a fan to the stack just to ease my mind.

[tinlizzie23]

We have a Norcold 10 cu ft fridge/freezer in the 5er, and it will adjust to 9 different settings, but 8 and 9 start freezing water in the fridge compartment. The unit is in the kitchen slide, and vented straight outside. So I think the answer to your question is that the larger the fridge, the better it cools. BTW, temps in our area get up in 95-100 degree range frequently in the summer, and sometimes higher. But never a problem with our fridge. Hope this helps.

[LongIslandCamper]

Don't forget that the fridge will operate much better on gas as opposed to electric.

[Chakara]

Yes - me too. Installation matters more than size of the fridge. I came from a Casita and that fridge's top vent was on the side of the trailer. Like you, fans fixed it up and it worked OK after that.

Now, with my trailer, the fridge just works. Biggest thing I do now is adjust the 1-5 adjustment. Here in NM, we get 30 degree swings in outside temps year round so I tend to have to adjust the fridge before the heat of the day and as things start cooling down. But I don't think it is required, it is just my anality after the old trailer

-Chak

[amabee]

Thanks everyone, that is what I was hoping to hear, sounds like we shouldn't have as much of an issue. I may still eventually install a fan, but it doesn't like it's something I need to rush out and do.

Don't forget that the fridge will operate much better on gas as opposed to electric.

So do you typically run yours on gas? We did that a couple times when we had a non-electric site and it did seem to work a little better in the popup.

[Doug]

My frig in our Coleman Pop-up would start freezing stuff on the bottom after the 3rd day on electric.
I would have to turn the setting from 7 to 5 on the 3rd to 4th day.
I would plug it in and turn on the frig 24 hrs before leaving on a trip.
We would load it with cold food once we got there.
Propane would work better and faster.

Doug

[LongIslandCamper]

Originally Posted by amabee

Thanks everyone, that is what I was hoping to hear, sounds like we shouldn't have as much of an issue. I may still eventually install a fan, but it doesn't like it's something I need to rush out and do.



So do you typically run yours on gas? We did that a couple times when we had a non-electric site and it did seem to work a little better in the popup.

It depends on the season. In the early spring and fall we'll run it on AC. There's no sense using our propane when we can use the parks unmetered electric. It does just fine. In the summer we'll run it on propane because the fridge simply works better on propane.

Think about it this way. What is more powerful, a gas mower or an electric? What is more powerful, a gas powered car or an electric?

[campingdog]

Our 17 Z fridge always worked well and stayed cooler with the more food that was in it. We never had a problem or needed a fan.