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Topic: Tips On Removing My Dometic Fridge (Read 1138 times) previous topic - next topic

Tips On Removing My Dometic Fridge

First of all - how do I start?

Next - any sequence of tasks?

best, paul
1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element

Re: Tips On Removing My Dometic Fridge

Reply #1 –
Paul,

Ours is an earlier model but was also a Dometic. I opened the outside access and unplugged all the wires and disconnected the gas. There is a 12V connection and a couple of 120V plugs if like mine. The gas should have a valve to turn 90 degrees so it's sideways to the normal flow of gas. Think there are a couple of screws to remove from the back side also.

I put some blankets or pads down between the fridge and the door. Removed the forward grab rail so it will go out the door opening. Then it was just a matter of removing screws. I may be missing a thing or two as it was the day after we got home from buying the coach three years ago. Yours may be a front door so may be different getting it out. Width could be different so measure the fridge width against the door opening. Some may have to go out a window.

Nice to have two or three helpers.

Your Dometic may or may not have a flat bottom. Ours was in two steps so I needed to rebuild the floor before installing the Norcold.

Again, might have missed a step but it was pretty easy to get out, just heavy and cumbersome in the tight space.

Check all the wood around the access door. Ours had some rot in a couple of pieces that had to be replaced. Now is the time to organize the wiring better than the factory did.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Tips On Removing My Dometic Fridge

Reply #2 –
I would add that besides turning off the propane at the valve you also cap the pipe as an added precaution.  This is standard gas installer practice.


Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: Tips On Removing My Dometic Fridge

Reply #3 –
I used two five gal. buckets with a thin piece of plywood on top of
the buckets.  this gives a good platform to slide the fridge onto.  the
fridge is much easier to handle from that position.  I also removed the
surrounding cupboard doors to avoid possible damage.

Re: Tips On Removing My Dometic Fridge

Reply #4 –
Pierce,

I have the Dometic RM 4804 with separate icemaker like your original fridge was.  What Norcold model did you replace it with and did you have to do away with the icemaker also?  Do you now have a separate icemaker like one of the small portable ones?

Thanks,

Jerry
The selected media item is not currently available.
Jerry and Cindy Maddux
1993 U300/36WTBI DD6v92TA
build 4271  "Miss Lou"
1995 suzuki sidekick 4x4 toad
Gulfport, Ms

"Pride of Ownership"

Re: Tips On Removing My Dometic Fridge

Reply #5 –
Jerry,

A couple of months before we bought our U300, I horse traded for a new Norcold 982. Would probably liked a 983 better with the additional option of 12V operation but that's what he had.

You WILL have to make a 12V connection for the logic board. The fridge won't operate if it does not have a constant 12V power supply. Wonder how I know that?

No, I just make ice in the freezer. Been thinking about a small ice maker for the bottom compartment but lots of stuff first.

After I installed the Hardie BB, the Norcold was about an inch narrower than the inside of the compartment. That's why in the photos, you can see the single wood locating strip down each side. It slides in perfectly and is centered without any movement.

The Norcold has more room inside and has a flat bottom. I did have to add a piece of walnut at the top to make it look factory.

Norcold has had several recalls. Make sure they have been taken care of on the model you select. A new 982 should be available at a discounter for $600 plus.

A second strong person can pick up the bottom from the stairs and it's out in a few seconds. HD masking tape on the door opening keeps any scratches away.

Now installing 850 watts of solar panels on the roof so will probably change it out for a household fridge in another seven years or so.

PM if you have any questions.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Tips On Removing My Dometic Fridge

Reply #6 –
Paul, tat is the same model I had and to get it safely out the door I also took the framwork that the doors fit into off. They are glued and screwed (!!!) but with force will come off. It gives you some extra space to work with thru the doors-well worth it in my opinion,
Depending on the unit ghoing in that tells you what you need to do. All very simple.
John H
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Tips On Removing My Dometic Fridge

Reply #7 –
Do folks get it our the door with the cooling unit on?

best, paul

Quote
Paul, tat is the same model I had and to get it safely out the door I also took the framwork that the doors fit into off. They are glued and screwed (!!!) but with force will come off. It gives you some extra space to work with thru the doors-well worth it in my opinion, Depending on the unit ghoing in that tells you what you need to do. All very simple. John H

2000 U295 36' Cummins 350 c/w banks Stinger, resonator upgrade, Solar, LED lites. 2001 Tracker
1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element

Re: Tips On Removing My Dometic Fridge

Reply #8 –
Paul,

I turned mine with the cooling unit facing outside. Seems like it was easier to grab ahold of that way. Was EZ with an inch or so clearance. Ours is mid-entry so only had to rotate it 180 and move it six feet and out.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Tips On Removing My Dometic Fridge

Reply #9 –
According to Mike at MOT they go through the window, less chance of damage. I will post the procedure in a week as I have appointment on May 20th for a Norcold replacement. For model 982 the new replacement model is N841. It has the dimensions 59 7/8"x 23 1/2"x24". Prices range from $1650-$1120 plus shipping. Estimate of 5hours @$110 for MOT. Expensive but professionalism does not come cheap. If anyone is in Mecca I will ask Mike to save the refrigerator parts from the norcold model 982. The shelves and other parts may be of use to someone as it worked perfect until it loss the ammonia. John
John
1998 U270 34'

Re: Tips On Removing My Dometic Fridge

Reply #10 –
Paul which Dometic do you have now? is it a double door side by side or top bottom model?

We replaced our Dometic side by side doors with a Dometic Sidewise model, they are strange looking but American RV had them on sale for $1499.00 new.
We took out the old Dometic through our front door but first had to take the doors off of the refrigerator. Our coach is a 1995 U295 so our front door is not as wide as yours is so I would think even the side by side fridge with the doors taken off would fit through your front door.

The ONLY reason the new Dometic fridges need to be replaced through the dining window is they have used trim around the sides that is bonded to the actual cabinate and cannot be taken off, that trim protects the doors giving them a recessed look. If they wouldn't had bonded the trim and made it to where it could be taken off, it would go in through the front door on the earlier smaller doors like the U295 and 300's

Hope this helps Paul, Kerry
Kerrybob
1995 U295
1997 F250 4dr

Re: Tips On Removing My Dometic Fridge

Reply #11 –
Paul,

If you have the big 1282 fridge like mine, I've only heard of it going out the dining room window, with a bunch of guys!
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: Tips On Removing My Dometic Fridge

Reply #12 –
     SAWZALL,,,three pieces ,,,no problem!!! :)
What a long strange trip it's been

Re: Tips On Removing My Dometic Fridge

Reply #13 –
 My 1282 whent thru the door after taking the doors and surround trim off, but I like the sawzall too.
That "bonding" is glue and does give
John H
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Tips On Removing My Dometic Fridge

Reply #14 –
Paul,

There are several videos of both professionals and owners taking out and replacing their RV fridges on Youtube.  Just search on "RV fridge replacement".  While not Foretarvel RVs the principals should be the same.  One shows a neat little platform made from 2x4 and plywood to put it on.  The use of carpet under it allows one to slide it around on hardwood floors.  I think it's the vid showing replacing the cooling unit.

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159