Norcold vs "house" reefers

[stik]

With the second/continuing recall on the Norcold gas absorbtion refrigerators and the fact that "house" refrigs are being installed in newer motor homes, has anyone had experience swapping out a large 4 door Norcold with a "house" refrigerator?

stik
2009 Winnebago Journey 34Y "with a scary Norcold that has some major design and recall problems"

 

[motohomer]

Good luck getting it in the door.

 

[AFChap]

Some folks have got them through the door in DPs w/ fridge doors and passenger seat removed. And I saw pictures just a month or so ago of one that went in through the side slider window ...again w/frifge doors removed and w/window frame totally removed. Very careful measurements are absolutely necessary!!

 

[dengraham]

Don't forget you probably need more batteries and a bigger (and better) inverter to power the refrigerator going down the road.

 

[JoeT-WO]

Many Tiffin owners have made the swap. Custom RV in Red Bay, AL has done most of them.

 

[KirbyRVA]

I have read reports where folks have found apartment size fridges that will fit thru the entry door with the fridge door removed. A more standard size fridge is most likely going to be put in through a coach window that will have to be removed.

Depending on what you have to pay for the labor, you can buy a good house fridge, a 1000 watt pure sine wave inverter and a couple of good batteries for about what a new Norcold absorption fridge would cost.

We would certainly go that route if/when the Norcold fails. We have some comfort related to fire potential by installing a halon automatic fire suppression unit behind the fridge.

 

[Phelpo-WO]

Yep, I replaced ours in the Kountry Star, 2 door, purchased the ref. at Lowes, fix right in, had a lot more room, we don't dry camp, but when traveling you just turn on the genie , life is goood.

Phelpo

 

[Traps90]

Yep, I replaced ours in the Kountry Star, 2 door, purchased the ref. at Lowes, fix right in, had a lot more room, we don't dry camp, but when traveling you just turn on the genie , life is goood.

Phelpo

The residential fridges that I've seen in the Tiffen and the new Winnebago where what I've seen called counterdepth fridges that are about 4" less from front to back than a standard fride, With the doors off they would fit through a 26" wide door.

Trap

 

[MrTransistor]

Hi stik,

Try this thread. My wife and I got both units through the front door and all we did was remove the passenger seat. More pictures on my photo pages.

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f101/have-you-heard-of-upgrading-to-a-larger-fridge-73740.html