Skip to main content
Topic: Samsung Gotcha's (Read 806 times) previous topic - next topic

Samsung Gotcha's

I had a 17.5cf Samsung residential fridge (model RF18HFENBSR) installed at MOT last week (pm me if you wanna know how many CB's that set me back  :-X  ).  The sticker shock has waned enough to post this.  The fridge is all that it's been touted to be, and I absolutely love it.  Makes lotsa ice fast and it is quiet and as far as my readings are it's very efficient.

However, comma, I ran into an issue I'd never read about before.  My pantry is across from the fridge.  Due to a timely unrelated event...my top/lower pantry slide locked up due to a being jammed by a pulled slide mounting screw...led me to discover a potential issue down the road.  Tried to remove the drawer to re-set the screw, and the drawer slides won't come out far enough to release and drop the drawer as it had with the increased clearance with the Dometic I'd removed.  Had to remove the fridge freezer door by emptying the freezer, removing the drawers/baskets, and unbolting the door from the slider.  Then the pantry drawer could be slid out far enough to remove the drawer so I could replace the mounting screw with a larger size screw.  Only took an hour to complete everything, but it was a hassle.

The other issue is the opposing side pantry doors extend far enough to hit the fridge...my nice new shiny fridge.  So I put some velcro (fuzzy stuff) strips on the pantry drawers to protect the fridge, just in case someone gets a little over-zealous in reaching the back of the said drawer.  Pics attached.

The full review on the rest of my visit to MOT is still being drafted and won't be ready till next week.  Mostly a very positive experience...more to follow...

Woody.
2001 4010 U320 build #5865 "Bluto-d-Bus" since 09/18
2006 Honda Element ESP Toad
Full timing since 2016 in Western MT
Copilot: Sitka
1975 GMC 260 Avion: sold

Re: Samsung Gotcha's

Reply #1
Woody, The doors on the Samsung come off pretty easily, that might just get you the extra room you need.  They most likely had to take the doors off to get it installed. 

This manual is for mine, yours should be very similar.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Samsung Gotcha's

Reply #2
Woody,

There should be some fairly easy way to put a limiter on the pantry drawers, so they can't come out far enough to hit the fridge.

Roger is a terrific wood and cabinet craftsman.  I bet he could suggest some clever way to avoid the possibility of dented fridge doors.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Samsung Gotcha's

Reply #3
Thanks, Roger.  Doors never came off mine...went from the carton into the coach through the slide opening, since I timed the fridge install with the slide seal replacement at MOT.  The pantry drawer I had to service was in the lower cabinet, so it was the freezer door that had to come off.  Just 4 10mm bolts and the freezer door comes off...just had to empty the freezer to do so.  The velcro in the pics will keep the fridge from getting dinged, just in case. 

W.

Woody, The doors on the Samsung come off pretty easily, that might just get you the extra room you need.  They most likely had to take the doors off to get it installed. 

This manual is for mine, yours should be very similar.
2001 4010 U320 build #5865 "Bluto-d-Bus" since 09/18
2006 Honda Element ESP Toad
Full timing since 2016 in Western MT
Copilot: Sitka
1975 GMC 260 Avion: sold

Re: Samsung Gotcha's

Reply #4
Woody, a simple way to limit how far out the drawer comes out is to add a nylon strap at the back of the drawer to the back of the cabinet.  If you have to remove the drawer just one screw to remove. 
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Samsung Gotcha's

Reply #5
Checked our installation last night, our drawers will not come out either. Don't have and issue with the drawers hitting as they are always latched except when taking something out of them. My freezer door will have to come off if I ever need to service the pantry slides. Small price to pay for the convenience of the residential fridge. If you hadn't posted I might have never known there was an issue during our time with the coach.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Samsung Gotcha's

Reply #6
Not every installation will have drawer/refrigerator issues.  Our drawers had to come out to get the refrigerator in but once in both the freezer drawer and the pantry drawers work without interference. Measure, plan, do.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

 

Re: Samsung Gotcha's

Reply #7
As far as function the drawers come out far enough for the back of the drawer to be at the front of the cabinet, and the refrigerator doors open all the way. The only issue would be to  remove a drawer. My refrigerator is flush at the rear of the enclosure so when it was installed this was part of the deal.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean