trailer_newbe
Tucson
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The propane/electric refrigerators are going away and in just a few years will likely not be available in new RV’s. Norcold has shut down their manufacturing of this type of refrigerator and Dometic will follow. Get used to 12V refrigerators be it good or bad will soon be all you can get.
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bob_nestor
murphy
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Absorption refrigerators don't seem to do very well in the hotter southern summers, unlike compressor units. However they are less power hungry, especially when run on propane. Compressor units have been used for years in the boating industry and newer models seem to be getting a lot more energy efficient. As others have said, they're probably the wave of the future in the RV industry (thankfully!).
If you intend to camp in the south in the summer you really need to look at the compressor units.
If most of your camping is in RV parks with hookups, then the compressor unit is probably the best way to go.
If you boondock a bit the compressor can be a tough call, unless you have a good battery bank and possibly solar.
If you go the solar route then best to look into something like Lithium-Ion for batteries. A second alternator on the engine for a quick recharge is probably a good idea too, especially if your coach batteries are Lithium-Ion. Solar with flooded cells is pretty much a gimmick since it's almost impossible to get the batteries fully recharged and without a daily full recharge. You'll be running the refrigerator during the day on the surface charge so they'll deplete faster with each day.
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ktmrfs
Portland, Oregon
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trailer_newbe wrote:The propane/electric refrigerators are going away and in just a few years will likely not be available in new RV’s. Norcold has shut down their manufacturing of this type of refrigerator and Dometic will follow. Get used to 12V refrigerators be it good or bad will soon be all you can get.
will be a shame for boondockers. Seems like trailer mfg are assuming everyone camps with at least power hookups. we often camp for two week with NO power, remote water. So far the propane fridge works great for us. Along with some solar the only time we ever need the generator is for a rare day when it is hot enough to want to use the AC.
Other than that solar keeps us charged up enough to still use all the lights we want, microwave for frozen veggies, etc. portable ice maker for drinks, and furnace when needed.
But for those with hookups I agree, a compressor fridge is the way to go. More room, quicker cool down, colder freezer
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trailer_newbe
Tucson
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Norcold has already discontinued production of the gas/elec fridges and Dometic will be next. Within a year or so you won’t be able to order a new trailer with a gas/electric fridge and the already new-built ones on the lot have mostly gone 12V. A 13 C.I. 12V can run on duel batteries all night and all day. Usually about an hour charge from solar or a generator is all that’s needed to get through the whole day, then one more charge in the evening.
Once new inventory runs out on the gas/electric expect on-line replacement prices to skyrocket. Not a fan of 12V myself but they are getting better and reality is that is where the market is going.
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JRscooby
Indepmo
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ktmrfs wrote:trailer_newbe wrote:The propane/electric refrigerators are going away and in just a few years will likely not be available in new RV’s. Norcold has shut down their manufacturing of this type of refrigerator and Dometic will follow. Get used to 12V refrigerators be it good or bad will soon be all you can get.
will be a shame for boondockers. Seems like trailer mfg are assuming everyone camps with at least power hookups. we often camp for two week with NO power, remote water. So far the propane fridge works great for us. Along with some solar the only time we ever need the generator is for a rare day when it is hot enough to want to use the AC.
Other than that solar keeps us charged up enough to still use all the lights we want, microwave for frozen veggies, etc. portable ice maker for drinks, and furnace when needed.
But for those with hookups I agree, a compressor fridge is the way to go. More room, quicker cool down, colder freezer
You have a absorption ice maker?
Other than the people that want new RV every couple years, we should be able to use the absorption fridges we have for a long time. No moving parts, not much to wear out. The one in my camper is over 25, and works fine.
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StonedPanther
Goshen IN
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trailer_newbe wrote:Norcold has already discontinued production of the gas/elec fridges and Dometic will be next. Within a year or so you won’t be able to order a new trailer with a gas/electric fridge and the already new-built ones on the lot have mostly gone 12V. A 13 C.I. 12V can run on duel batteries all night and all day. Usually about an hour charge from solar or a generator is all that’s needed to get through the whole day, then one more charge in the evening.
Once new inventory runs out on the gas/electric expect on-line replacement prices to skyrocket. Not a fan of 12V myself but they are getting better and reality is that is where the market is going.
Norcold only has stopped producing Absorbtion fridges in the US, Ohio to be specific. They moved production out of the US, not unlike 100's if not 1000's of other Corporations have done over the last couple/3 years due to the econimc climate in the US. The Absorbtion fridge is not going away. You know Norcold was owned by Thetford, a British Corporation, and they were bought out by an investment firm (holding Co) in 2021.
RV manufacturers use the 12V compressor fridges because A, They're cheaper to buy and B, They have a significant labor and material savings, as well as a time savings, on the production line. They dont need to install wall or roof vents, build a cavity in a configuration for airflow, provide a gas line, etc. You could order a 2024 Rockwood tomorrow and get the Absorbtion Fridge option. You can do the same with most other brands be they Forest River / Thor / Winny / anyone.
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trailer_newbe
Tucson
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According to some RV sales folks I know, Norcold moving gas/electric out of the US is the main reason most trailer manufacturers will be 12V in as little as one year. The US market is huge, so Dometic is currently trying to cash in but the word is, they are just using up current inventory, so don’t expect to be able to get a gas/elec in a new trailer within a year. Some manufacturers have already dropped them completely as an option when you order. I’m a gas/electric fan myself but unfortunately they will soon be gone in the RV world.
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JRscooby
Indepmo
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StonedPanther wrote:
Norcold only has stopped producing Absorbtion fridges in the US, Ohio to be specific. They moved production out of the US, not unlike 100's if not 1000's of other Corporations have done over the last couple/3 years due to the econimc climate in the US. The Absorbtion fridge is not going away. You know Norcold was owned by Thetford, a British Corporation, and they were bought out by an investment firm (holding Co) in 2021.
I think companies have been moving production overseas for decades. As for the economic conditions of the last 2-3 years, a global health crisis has caused supply chain issues form many products. I would be surprised if numbers did not show more production was moving on-shore than off.
Quote:RV manufacturers use the 12V compressor fridges because A, They're cheaper to buy and B, They have a significant labor and material savings, as well as a time savings, on the production line. They dont need to install wall or roof vents, build a cavity in a configuration for airflow, provide a gas line, etc. You could order a 2024 Rockwood tomorrow and get the Absorption Fridge option. You can do the same with most other brands be they Forest River / Thor / Winny / anyone.
In homes, first no cold storage, then ice boxes, absorption fridge, then compressor fridge. Camping, no cold storage, coolers, absorption fridge, and now, compressor fridge.
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StonedPanther
Goshen IN
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trailer_newbe wrote:According to some RV sales folks I know
Well that's hands down the irrefutable proof then isn't it. Some RV sales folks. LOL.
Are those the same RV sales folks that tell you that you can pull a 38' 5er with a Chevy Colorado no problem, or the ones that tell folks that RV's are built rock solid by Amish Craftsman and nothing can or will go wrong and if it does they'll get you exceptional warranty service that will only take a few hours, whatever the issue?
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theoldwizard1
SE MI
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Dutch Oven Man wrote:We are 99% RV Park type folks, only time we are boondocking is for an occasional overnight stop at Walmart, and even then I have a generator.
Find a standard residential refrigerator that will fit the hole.
Seriously consider installing an inverter/charger/automatic transfer switch, even if all you can afford is a pair of lead-acid golf cart batteries. A couple hours of charging and you will be good for overnight.
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