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Residential refrigerator

After reading many posts on the pros and cons, I have decided to go with a residential.  I know many have listed and posted pics in many different posts and they were influential in my decision.  Now, what make and model did you choose and why?  Pictures are a bonus for all of us.  Thanks in advance, David 
David & Lou Ann Bouchard
Summer: Mount Vernon, Ohio
Winter: RiverBend Motorcoach Resort  LaBelle, Florida
2003 U320 38' Build #6174 "Willie"
2013 Cadillac SRX Toad
MC #17151 FMCA #F431393

Re: Residential refrigerator

Reply #1 –
well all I can say is it depends on how much "stuff" you like to have sitting in a fridge. We are fine with a 10cu ft Whirlpool but others like lots of ice cream etc and need a double door. That takes more power but ok if you plug in every night.
JohnH
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: Residential refrigerator

Reply #2 –
We love our Samsung RF 197 but they changed that model now but I think the new one will fit. I had the double door model before.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Residential refrigerator

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Retired Navy Chief –
Now, what make and model did you choose and why? 


We chose a Samsung counter depth 25-ish Cu Ft. side by side.  Same as Dave M. and Dick Henry.

Samsung - have had very good luck with their products, they actually honor warranty of a fridge when installed in an RV, and their fridges' power systems are compatible with the inverter (learned of that one from John S)

Side by side.  We looked at both that and french door configuration.  Keeping french door closed while mobile is a little more challenging, neither of us like french door freezer drawer - can turn into black hole, also noticed it was easy to bump the basket off track.  But that's a personal choice.

Chose the 36" wide 25 cu ft counter depth model because it would fit with minimal cabinet redo in our coach (we did not have Intellitec lighting control below the old fridge) and our fridge was not up against a wall so we have no problem opening the doors far enough to get the veggie bins completely out.  Those adjacent to a wall will be better served with the 32" wide model (french door).

Photos are in the remodeling board and also our albums http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=media;sa=album;in=380 .  Ours like John S's has been replaced with a newer model but it's basically the same fridge with a new model number.  Bought ours over the phone from Lowes of Nac and had it delivered right to David F's shop.  The model John S has is probably the most popular residential fridge installed as OEM in an RV.

Love the larger fridge as we buy lots of leafy greens, and stock the freezer with things like Cabot farmstead and 83% fat butters and wild Maine blueberries to bring home for the winter.  We were able to get rid of our basement freezer as a result, giving us more storage space below.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Residential refrigerator

Reply #4 –
I think this is rhe RF197 replacement
RF18HFENBSR
Dimensions without the doors are  321/8" x 701/8" x 241/4".  Allow 1" at the back, 3/8" on the sides and an inch or so on top.  Adjusting wiring, outlets and the drain clean out at the back of the original space (mostly behind the lower cabinet section) gets the depth to fit well. Mounting the refrigerator close to the bottom of the lower cabinet opening keeps it above the floor a bit and lets the doors clear any sliding door tracks.  The actual opening of the original refrigerator cabinet was about 36 1/2".  A careful use of space will get you a full height cabinet next to the Samsung. Not very wide but great for trays, canned goods, cake mixes, crackers etc.

Did this ourselves. Very nice.

Roger

Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Residential refrigerator

Reply #5 –
Samsung model RS22HDHPNBC is the model we chose for many of the same reasons Michelle stated (I consulted with her more than once during the process).  It is a 22 cu. ft. side x side, 36 in. wide counter depth model we purchased at the Home Depot in Lufkin and had delivered to FOT.  It  fits our space well, allowing the doors to fully open.  More space, flexibility and convenience.  Donna and I both love it!  Good Luck!
Bill and Joyce, The House2 and Dashboard Pig III
2000 U320 4210 CAI (The House2)
Build # 5733
2019 F150 King Ranch FX4

Re: Residential refrigerator

Reply #6 –
RF18HFENBSR  is what we went with. No water or ice in the door, but ice in the freezer compartment. I chose the French Door because I can open just one side at a time to slide in a wider tray, if I chose.  Invariably, there are things that are just a smidgen too wide for the side x side. I also like the bin/drawer freezer just fine. We have plenty of room for everything in our '02 40'.  Install by Foretravel, I purchased the fridge at the Lufkin Home Depot (on sale!!) and had it delivered to the factory.  All went well. We seldom boondock, but 10 days recently went just fine with our 450w of solar and a bit of generator. 
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: Residential refrigerator

Reply #7 –
Great discussion, but, I sure wish each answer started with, "for my x" width space", we used this__________.

The thread gets so complicated, with our coaches having 24", 33", and 36" spaces built into all the different models.  We are stuck with 33" to work with.  There are only 2 or 3 models, counter depth 24" deep, 33" wide models to pick.  Yes I know we can always install a 24", and build more storage, that we don't need, like some have shown they installed.  And I already know that I have to rebuild the cabinets under my unit, as every replacement on the market, from any source, is too tall to exact fit.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: Residential refrigerator

Reply #8 –
Dave,

Here is the spec sheet from Samsung on their 33" French Door refrigerator that Carol used.

http://www.samsung.com/us/system/consumer/product/rf/18/hf/rf18hfenbsraa/RF18HFENBSR.pdf

It should fit fine with a bit of room to spare. Like Carol, we like the French Door.  It fits where it needs to be in our 36'.  It is way bigger than our 10cuft Dometic and we can actually get things in the freezer like a pie or a pizza.  It is not silent but very quiet.  Lighting is great. 

If you see us somewhere come over and we will show you ours.

Roger and Susan
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Residential refrigerator

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Home2fromHastings –
Dave,

If you see us somewhere come over and we will show you ours.

Roger and Susan

I have looked at that unit, and believe it will work.  Only issue is tearing out the present floor platform and removing the wood doors.  We have never used the storage under our unit, so nothing lost to us there.  Thanks for the info and link.  We might see Carols this spring, tdb ;) .
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: Residential refrigerator

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Dave and Dolly Cobb –
I have looked at that unit, and believe it will work.  Only issue is tearing out the present floor platform and removing the wood doors.  We have never used the storage under our unit, so nothing lost to us there.  Thanks for the info and link.  We might see Carols this spring, tdb ;) .


Make sure you DON'T have drain pipes under the fridge running behind the bottom storage area ( if sink is next to refrigerator). This would prevent you from dropping the fridge all the way to the floor. If you have the pipes back there your other option is to pull the refrigerator forward of the pipes about 3"-4". Un fortunatly this will eliminate the advantage of the counter depth model and push it into your aisle.
I built a SOLID (IMPORTANT, fridge could run 300# WITHOUT food inside) platform to put my fridge on that brought it up and over the drain pipes.

I bought a Bosch 22cu.ft. side by side. with ice and water in door. Easy to "lock" doors when traveling, and you can stand in front of fridge while doors are open. I also installed a lighted on/off switch next to fridge so I can easily turn it off if power is a problem.

Love it.
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: Residential refrigerator

Reply #11 –
There are lots of wires, outlets, drain pipes, gas lines, the original opening all behind the original refrigerator.  I cut the drain line on either side of the cleanout fitting and rotated it 90° so it  points up and is out of the way.  Wiring can be adjusted for minimum clearance. I moved the outlets to below the kitchen cabinets behind the drawers.  All of this fussing got me about 23 3/8 " depth. Just right for a 5/8" thick trim.  I put the trim on after the fridge was in place.  Maybe 1/8" clearance all the way around.  Amazingly I can get the fridge out and back in without removing any trim, with some help.

My Samsung weighs about 1/2 of the weight of the Dometic.

Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN