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Topic: Residential Refrigerator (Read 1169 times) previous topic - next topic

Residential Refrigerator

What keeps the door/s closed on a residential refrigerator in your coach when traveling?  Did you install a lock?  A picture would explain it. 
Jerry Whiteaker former owner 96 U270  36' #4831 Austin,TX-Owner Mods LCD TV w/front cabinet rebuild - LCD TV bedroom - Dual Central AC, either can cool coach w 30 amp - Skylights at roof AC openings - Drop ceiling for ducting of AC - Shower skylight white gelcoat/wood/epoxy frame - Air Springs/Shocks replaced - 2014 CRV - 8K Home Solar - Chevy Volt

Re: Residential Refrigerator

Reply #1 –
Sliding door latch on the freezer, 1" velcro strap on the doors.  Works great. Simple, no storage issues.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Residential Refrigerator

Reply #2 –
We use velcro as well.  A little different twist for the bottom - Marine fender anchors with a buckle snap.  Everything rolls up and lives in the corner of a drawer.
Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320

Re: Residential Refrigerator

Reply #3 –
What make and model refer did you get?  FOT will be installing a Samsung RF18 in June in our coach.
John and Stacey Smith
Motorcade NO: 11973
1997 U295 CSGI 40'..Build No. 5036     
920 Watts on the roof..CAT Power w/fuel Inj. Programmer
2021 GMC Sierra AT4 1500
EX..2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
Ex 1990 U280 RSAI 36'..Build No. 3638

Re: Residential Refrigerator

Reply #4 –
Here is what we use.  I based my design on Bob and Faith's (flite2010) clever prototype, but made some modifications.  Mine is thinner and wider.  I used 3/8" cabinet grade plywood, covered on both sides with FOT ceiling material (Thanks, Larry).  The "legs" and the top cross section are about 5" wide.  The overall dimensions (height and width) are 26" by 15".  The wider, thinner material seems to be plenty rigid in the areas where I need it, yet is easier to slide behind the door handles.

It also finally gives us something to store in that weird shaped tall/shallow cabinet in the side of the hutch!

My thanks to @flite2010  for demonstrating the excellent prototype.
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: Residential Refrigerator

Reply #5 –
We use a slide lock for the freezer and a large twist lock for the doors, works for us
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Residential Refrigerator

Reply #6 –
Mr Smith,

Our is a Samsung three French Door style refrigerator.  They all come with an internal ice maker that can be turned off if you don't need ice.  The particular model is about 18-19 cu ft.  It was discontinued and replace with a different one, virtully identical in size.  They are 32" wide which installed with some care leaves a 4" or so space towards the rear of the coach for a narrow tall cabinet that, for us, more than makes up for the loss of the space under the gas refrig.  Be sure your doors clear the sliding door track at the top.  You may need to adjust some wiring and plumbing for clearance at the bottom of the refrigerator space near the outside wall.

Several have done this one. Send me a PM with an email address if you want more pictures.

Next post is what we have as I recall.

Residential refrigerators are great.  Get cold fast and stay there.  They use more battery power running off the inverter.  They are not silent but the Samsung is pretty quiet.  We really like ours.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Residential Refrigerator

Reply #7 –
Quote from: J. E. Smith Sr. –
What make and model refer did you get?  FOT will be installing a Samsung RF18 in June in our coach.
Samsung RF197ACRS, now discontinued, replaced in the Samsung lineup by RF18HFENBSR
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: Residential Refrigerator

Reply #8 –
FWIW,
I saw one of these at the Houston RV show and tried to copy the image.  I like this one.  I don't have it as I still have the absorption fridge.
 stainless rv door refrigerator catch - Google Search

I could not get the picture to copy and past so hopefully this link will allow you to check this one out. 

Best of travels,
Best of Travels

Re: Residential Refrigerator

Reply #9 –
Samsung says not to screw or drill into the doors. I looked at the above catches but don't want anything sticking out but they would work fine if done without screws. The part of the sliding door latch that goes on the door is stuck on with 3M VHB double sided tape. Simple.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Residential Refrigerator

Reply #10 –
X 2. I drilled mine before I found out the door held a vacuum for installation purposes. Drilling voids the warranty. Lots of adhesive's or Velcro o drilling voids the warranty. Lots of adhesive's or Two-sided tape could get the job done I am sure. Say 3M 5200?
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Residential Refrigerator

Reply #11 –
We still use the "Rudy" method: two pieces of blue painter's tape (not pictured here, but you can imagine), strategically placed (one across freezer door, one for fridge door), before getting underway.  Has worked so well (for this type of fridge, anyway) that we just keep doing it.  We'd sure like to have a less, um, "simple" and more attractive solution, however.

Chris
1996 U295 36' WTBI

Re: Residential Refrigerator

Reply #12 –
The sliding door latch ... Unlatched.  The part on the freezer door is stuck on with 3M VHB tape.  Been there for almost two years now.  Nothing to lose, nothing to stow.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Residential Refrigerator

Reply #13 –
Thanks for all the replies and some clever solutions.  I once taught high school shop for a couple of years and the principal told the janitor to put a lock on the big expensive refrig in the home economics department and he drilled through a refrigerant line, ouch $$$. 
Jerry Whiteaker former owner 96 U270  36' #4831 Austin,TX-Owner Mods LCD TV w/front cabinet rebuild - LCD TV bedroom - Dual Central AC, either can cool coach w 30 amp - Skylights at roof AC openings - Drop ceiling for ducting of AC - Shower skylight white gelcoat/wood/epoxy frame - Air Springs/Shocks replaced - 2014 CRV - 8K Home Solar - Chevy Volt