Used Rv Refrigerators How long is the lifespan of a gas refrigerator?
Let's assume that i use my gas ref indoors (no bumpy rides in an RV, no moving around etc) Is it true that they can last 30 years because they have no moving parts? and how long would they typically last with normal use? like in an RV or in camping.
Buying a used travel trailer can be a scary prospect indeed. But, armed with a little information and the attitude that the right trailer is out there for you, you can get through the buying process and come out on the other end with a fantastic used travel trailer!
First, you must know how much trailer you need to suit your situation and how much you can handle in terms of price and towing capability. I can't help you much with price--you'll have to decide beforehand what you range is, but you can research what trailers are available for what prices on the internet. As far as towing capability is concerned, you need to be concerned with two numbers--GTW (gross trailer weight),which is the maximum weight your vehicle is designed to pull, and TW (tongue weight); that's the downward force (measured in pounds) your hitch ball can support. Both of these figures can be found in your vehicle's owner's manual and should be topmost in your mind when considering which trailer you can tow.
Now to the fun part; once you have decided some of your basic needs, you can start shopping! You may have used RV dealerships in your area. That's great news since you will have a wider selection and a salesperson to offer suggestions and recommendations. Of course if you don't, you can find plenty of used trailers for sale through your local classifieds and online. Don't be shy--see a lot of trailers; it's the only way to find the one that's just right for you!
Once you do find a trailer to consider, there are a lot of things to keep in mind; I suggest making a checklist to remind yourself what you are looking for and to take notes about the features and condition of each model you see.
Starting with the exterior, look for dents and dings, rusted spots, rusty or loose screws. Check if the exterior compartments are clean and dry. Inspect the roof; are the rubber seals cracking or discolored from water/sun damage? Are the vent covers secure? Is there a roof rack? Check any awnings and pullouts to see if they operate smoothly and look to be in good repair. Is the awning discolored or mildewed? Is it large enough?
Moving inside, check the doors; do they close securely? Check the hinges and handles and locks. Is there a pull out step? Does it work well and store securely? Are the windows in good condition? Do they operate smoothly and lock securely? Are all the screens in place? Are they in good repair?
Consider the interior walls and flooring. Are there signs of water damage, including discoloration and soft spots? Do you like the colors? Are the walls or flooring marked with stains?
What is the condition of the furniture? Are all the appliances in working order? Turn everything on and check it's performance. The refrigerator and freezer will take a few hours to fully cool, but if this trailer is on your "short list," be sure to check them. Turn on all faucets to check for leaks; check the water heater and all holding tanks for leaks by filling them with water. Check if the bathroom is big enough. Lay down on the bed; do you feel comfortable in the sleeping space? Are the closets big enough? Can you see your family vacationing happily in this space?
If so, then you know all your hard work has paid off, and you have found the perfect travel trailer for your family! If not, you know your checklist has weeded out another poor choice, and you are that much closer to finding your trailer. So, get out there and get to work; your next family vacation could be in your very own perfectly used travel trailer.
About the Author:
Emily Sandberg is a camping enthusiast who spent many a happy weekend camping in her family's used travel trailer. When she's not towing anything, she covers her hitch with a hitch cover from Trailer Hitch Universe.
How do I turn on refrigerator for RV automate trailer?
I bought this rv 26 foot trailer used and cannot figure out how to turn on the refrigerator. There is a panal underneath it. When I remove panal there are a few things....one is an off / on switch for electric..and a knob that says gas with a note to push and turn slowly. Do I need the propane gas to run the fridge as well? Is there an electrical pulg i need to plug in? ***sigh*** I'm stumped
No u dont need to turn gas and electric. Its 1 or the other not both. Some fridges have an 'auto switch on them in case of a power outage it will automatically switch to gas so the food dont spoil. Simply turn the switch to on under electric and plug it in. If u dont have a 120v power source turn that switch off and use the gas.
Used Rv Refrigerator Does this refrigerator really only draw .7amps?
The Sunpentown RF-170W 1.7 cft fridge supposedly only draws .7 amps. If this is true it seems that it would be the perfect choice for a solar set up. the Norcold DC-0040/DE-0040/EV-0040, a similar sized fridge designed for RV use, draws 2.7 amps. Other $$$$ fridges designed for solar draw more than .7 amps. Anyone have experience with this fridge?
Ahh but at what voltage does it draw 0.7A? The label might be talking about 240V AC or 110V AC and if you plugged it into a rectifier, the DC current draw might be 10 times that amount.
RV refrigerator only works on LP gas, not electric?
The refrigerator in my pop up camper is designed to work on 110, propane and 12v. The last time I tried to plug it in and turn it on, it didn't work. I tried using propane (I'd never run it this way before) and it was fine, but it still doesn't work on 110. I've also tried to plug it in in different outlets, so that's not the problem. Any ideas?
Since the refrigerator works by heating a chamber by either a gas burner or an electric heating element, the heating element is faulty. It could also be an electrical connection somewhere that is faulty. The heating element is located behind some sheet metal covering and insulation just above the gas burner area.
Used Rv Refrigerator How much should I charge someone to plug an RV in at my house?
The heat in the RV is being run by propane. So I would say the only power needed would be to run the refrigerator. Although I don't know how RV's work. I would assume like most devices there may be some amount of draw even when the devices in the RV are not in use. The RV will be left unoccupied during the week and used during the weekend for about a month. It is 24 feet long and has a microwave, tv and stove. I live in NY, not the city, up with the cows. Right, its just my brother during hunting season. The wife gets upity if I don't ask him for something cause after all "we pay for the electricity so should he" They use the bathroom in the house, we have three, the one they use is off the mudroom so they don't even come in the house all the way. I was just looking for the basic draw/kilowatts that an RV under these circumstances would use. I want to be sure the price is fair for both sides.
i would say $5 a day is fair.
Affinity RV, Used 2005 Crossroads, Paradise, M33RR
One of the most important, and the costliest, appliances in your camper is the refrigerator. The life span of an RV refrigerator is about 8-10 years, but they can keep working a lot longer if properly cared for.
Maintenance of your refrigerator will extend its life. Cleaning is easy. Just wipe out the inside with a clean dry cloth after each camping trip. For bigger jobs, use a cloth dipped in clean water with a small amount of mild detergent added. The bins and shelves can be removed and washed in soapsuds if needed. Dry everything well before reinstalling. Never use hot water to clean your RV refrigerator. Always prop the door open while not in use to avoid mold and mildew.
Open the outside access door and look for dust, mud dauber or bird nests, spider webs, or anything else that can restrict the air flow. Check the roof to ensure the vent is secure and not cracked.
A common complaint about RV refrigerators is that they don’t cool fast enough. You should know that it takes at least 3 hours after lighting the refrigerator to feel it starting to cool, and it isn’t completely cool for 24 hours. Each time the refrigerator door is opened, it can take up to one hour to recover.
When loading your RV refrigerator for a trip it is best to light the refrigerator the night before the trip, and to pre cool everything you put in the refrigerator or freezer. This keeps the appliance from overworking to cool its self and what is inside. You can run your refrigerator on 12vt or LP while traveling. However, some states have restrictions on traveling with open flame, due to the danger of ignition if there is an accident.
Most refrigerators made for campers are both LP gas and 120vt AC. 12vt is available on some models, but using this power source while not hooked to a running tow vehicle can deplete the batteries rapidly. While your camper is plugged in and the refrigerator is set to auto, it will run on electricity, and default to LP when it is unplugged.
Not long ago we acquired an RV, and we have a problem with our Refrigerator.
For some reason RV Refrigerators (or at lest ours) freezes ever thing else in the freezer except Ice Cream. Does anyone know why it won’t freeze Ice Cream? Is this a common problem with RV Refrigerators? Is there anything we can do to cause it to freeze Ice Cream?
Turn temp down more or replace with better fridge. Ice cream takes much colder temps to freeze.
