Hello!
I'd appreciate suggestions of who I might engage to replace our Dometic with a Lowe's AC refrigerator.
I know Rudy has used an RV Repair guy who has done several of these. So he surely knows the ropes.
But I'm looking for someone closer to California - hopefully someone I don't have to pay to learn how to do it.
best, paul
As one who has done this and mine had the double door model, I would say that you can do it yourself but definitly need help removing it from your coach.
I took the doors off as well as the trim around the front to give more room thru' door. I totally removed the gas line and plugged the manifold. Once all was out just cleaned up the space and checked all the insulation, then put in a piece of 1/8th aluminum (as Barry suggested) to support , but also a vertical centre door support in the cabinet below to help strengthen the base some more.
I had to trim out the top cross piece as I needed 3/4" more headroom for new AC fridge. As shoqn in my photos at the time I designed and made a side pantry to use the space left after installing the new fridge, and that has been a great upgrade and makes the job look better. You do have to make a door lock system as of course the fridge does not have one, but simple to do. Once the new fridge was in and fastened down at rear I used black silicone around the door frame to hold the front in place and tie it too the front walnut frame (plus you do not see it as it blends into the fridge).
If you need some picture to help let me know. You can do it Paul, just depends if you want to, but you do need help getting it out and in.
John H
ps Happy Birthday to Kathleen.
The July issue of the Family Motor Coaching magazine has a step by step on just how to install a residential refrigerator in an RV. Looked quite concise. If you don't have the issue e-mail me your address and I will gladly send it to you.
Email is: Rolandcarmen@hotmail.com
Roland
see Forum postings on this topic at
Residential fridge (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=13454.0)
I did one in Glockjocks