How to Upgrade Your RV Refrigerator

A stock RV refrigerator is fine for a few short trips, but once you have more than that in your schedule, an upgrade to a residential fridge is well worth it. These appliances are more efficient, have more storage capacity and offer better temperature control than the old-school models in most RVs. Plus, they use less power.

The first step is to measure the space where your new fridge will go. This will help you determine whether a full residential fridge will fit. You’ll also need to consider if you want it to be a counter-depth or a flush mount model.

Another thing to think about is how you’ll get the old refrigerator out and the new one in. If you have a small enough RV that the doors can pass through both sides, you should be able to do it easily. If not, you may need to remove the window on the driver’s side of your RV to create a pathway for both fridges.

If you’re going to have to install a new fridge in place of an existing one, take the time to clean out the existing compartment and vacuum or wipe it down. This will prevent odors and mold from developing and will also allow you to see what condition the interior of the fridge is in.

Once your fridge is empty, you’ll need to make sure the propane tank is disconnected and the fridge is unplugged. If you’re planning to buy a used fridge, ask the seller how long they’ve owned it and what kind of RVing they do (if any). You should also check for any damage that could be costly or difficult to fix.

Getting an RV refrigerator out of its home can be tricky, especially if it’s positioned several inches above the floor of your RV. It’s best to recruit some help for this step if possible. You can use a milk crate or footstool to slide the fridge onto as you pull it out. This will keep the fridge from hitting and damaging your floor, which is usually wood laminate.

You’ll also need to remove any caulking or other materials that are holding the refrigerator in place and may be preventing it from being pulled out. Once you’ve removed these materials, you should be able to fully separate the refrigerator from the wall and then push it out through the access door on the exterior of your RV. It’s a good idea to have someone helping you with this part of the process if at all possible, as an RV fridge can weigh up to 300 pounds. You’ll also need to disconnect the fridge from the AC power and a DC battery bank connection, if applicable. It’s then just a matter of reversing the removal procedure to put your residential fridge back in its home. Once you’re finished, you can reattach the trim and fill any wide gaps with trim or caulk.rv refrigerator