Katdaddy
Petal, MS USA
Senior Member
Joined: 08/25/2003
View Profile
|
We are considering downsizing our camper. We have a 28 foot fifth wheel now. Wife really wants a smaller travel trailer. Problem we are having is that everything we see has a 12 volt fridge. We do a fair amount of dry camping. 2 way fridge would work much better for our use it seems. Do any makers use 2 way refrigerators these days or is everything 12 volt?
Little by little, one travels far - J.R.R. Tolkien
There ain't no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them. - Mark Twain
|
agwill
enosburg falls, vt
Senior Member
Joined: 09/22/2003
View Profile
|
The newer one have a 12 volt compressor fridge which are very good and do not use the same power as the old units that heated up and drew lots of power and killed battery. Add a solar panel or two and you are good to go.
al
|
ktmrfs
Portland, Oregon
Senior Member
Joined: 06/22/2005
View Profile
 Offline
|
agwill wrote:The newer one have a 12 volt compressor fridge which are very good and do not use the same power as the old units that heated up and drew lots of power and killed battery. Add a solar panel or two and you are good to go.
good as long as there is sun and your parked in the sun or panels in the sun. I have a energy efficient compressor fridge in a small trailer, propane in the big one. Propane wins, mostly because propane BTU/gallon wins way out over FLA BTU/lb or BTU/volume. A gallon of propane will run my fridge for a week or more. A couple of batteries will run a compressor fridge for a few days at most.
To the OP, recently looking at trailers many that come std with electric have an option for propane and vice versa
2011 Keystone Outback 295RE
2004 14' bikehauler with full living quarters
2015.5 Denali 4x4 CC/SB Duramax/Allison
2004.5 Silverado 4x4 CC/SB Duramax/Allison passed on to our Son!
|
Katdaddy
Petal, MS USA
Senior Member
Joined: 08/25/2003
View Profile
|
ktmrfs wrote:agwill wrote:The newer one have a 12 volt compressor fridge which are very good and do not use the same power as the old units that heated up and drew lots of power and killed battery. Add a solar panel or two and you are good to go.
good as long as there is sun and your parked in the sun or panels in the sun. I have a energy efficient compressor fridge in a small trailer, propane in the big one. Propane wins, mostly because propane BTU/gallon wins way out over FLA BTU/lb or BTU/volume. A gallon of propane will run my fridge for a week or more. A couple of batteries will run a compressor fridge for a few days at most.
To the OP, recently looking at trailers many that come std with electric have an option for propane and vice versa
Just a bummer that we are going to have to order one as an option. Not going to get the best deal on a new camper going that route.
|
Pbutler97
Midwest
Senior Member
Joined: 09/22/2022
View Profile
Offline
|
Katdaddy wrote:ktmrfs wrote:agwill wrote:The newer one have a 12 volt compressor fridge which are very good and do not use the same power as the old units that heated up and drew lots of power and killed battery. Add a solar panel or two and you are good to go.
good as long as there is sun and your parked in the sun or panels in the sun. I have a energy efficient compressor fridge in a small trailer, propane in the big one. Propane wins, mostly because propane BTU/gallon wins way out over FLA BTU/lb or BTU/volume. A gallon of propane will run my fridge for a week or more. A couple of batteries will run a compressor fridge for a few days at most.
To the OP, recently looking at trailers many that come std with electric have an option for propane and vice versa
Just a bummer that we are going to have to order one as an option. Not going to get the best deal on a new camper going that route.
That is the route where you will get your best deal, the dealer does not have to carry the unit while it sits waiting to be sold. If a dealer tells you otherwise you need to find another dealer.
|
|
|
johnhicks
Wandering below the Gnat Line
Senior Member
Joined: 08/29/2013
View Profile
Offline
|
https://www.rvtravel.com/12-volt-refrigerator-rvt-1065/
-jbh-
|
danlams89
Ottawa, ON, Canada
New Member
Joined: 11/08/2022
View Profile
Offline
|
I'm sorry to hear that you are having a hard time finding a camper with a 2-way refrigerator. Right now there not a lot of manufactures that make campers with 2-way fridges. However, there are a few. One of the companies that makes campers with 2-way fridges is Carriage. They make campers mainly for the western US. You can check out their website here . Also, you can search for campers that are equipped with a 2-way refrigerator on RV Trader . My advice to you is to be patient. Manufacturers are coming out with newer models all the time and you never know when one of them is going to have a model that has a 2-way refrigerator.
|
valhalla360
No paticular place.
Senior Member
Joined: 08/19/2009
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
I get it, if you have a single battery and no solar, a 12v fridge isn't great for boondocking but....
Keep in mind, I wouldn't be surprised if 5-10yrs out, the support for absorption fridges is dying out.
We are in a transition currently but it seems to be moving quick as you have found. Might be worth just planning on a 2nd battery and 100-200w of solar.
Tammy & Mike
Ford F250 V10
2021 Gray Wolf
Gemini Catamaran 34'
Full Time spliting time between boat and RV
|
wa8yxm
Davison Michigan (East of Flint)
Senior Member
Joined: 07/04/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
Katdaddy wrote:We are considering downsizing our camper. We have a 28 foot fifth wheel now. Wife really wants a smaller travel trailer. Problem we are having is that everything we see has a 12 volt fridge.
We have a lot of new technology in the last 50 years.
We now have 12 volt "Coolers" (I won't call them a fridge) that, other than a fan, have NO MOVING PARTS.. yup. problem is they are what I vall -30 boxes (room temp - 30 F) so if its 70 they cool to 40 if it's 80 50 Not good
We have high efficiency compressor units. like LESS than 50 watts door closed. compressor running.. I have a chest freezer that is like that.
These are very good.. very efficient.. I'd love to see one in a Residential size
They are 12/120 volt as a rule (Though the 120 may be passed through a "Brick" so only 12 volt goes to the unit).
Home was where I park it. but alas the.
2005 Damon Intruder 377 Alas declared a total loss
after a semi "nicked" it. Still have the radios
Kenwood TS-2000, ICOM ID-5100, ID-51A+2, ID-880 REF030C most times
|
Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
Senior Member
Joined: 05/06/2013
View Profile
Offline
|
That’s really sad if LP fired camper fridges are now in short supply.
Although supply and demand I suppose. What % of RVers actually need the LP side of a 2 or 3way fridge? (Used to be all 3 way fridges not so many years ago, then 2 way)
I’d like to say I’m that guy but if I’m honest, I need LP less than 50% of the time.
So the real issue is are the camper mfgs setting up the power and charging (solar) to handle a DC only fridge for an acceptable amount of time?
Doubt it. So there’s a required upgrade right outta the box!
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold
|
|
|
