My buddy's girlfriend has a goose neck trailer . It has a propane fridge that is dead in the water and they are trying to remove it . He claims that he has removed everything that he can find that would be holding it in place but it will not budge a millimeter . I threw some ideas at him but he says nope , not happening . Any ideas ?

Sometimes you can “fix” an apparently dead propane fridge by turning it upside down for a day or two.

As to the issue of taking it out, I can’t help, but it might be useful to know the brand of refrigerator and RV.

The Fridge is a Dometic , and the RV is a Coachman Chaparral 360 IBL .

Rusted in place?

How about the vent? Sometimes you have to get those from the exterior.

quote:

Originally posted by radioman:
Rusted in place?

How about the vent? Sometimes you have to get those from the exterior.

I told him about venting to the exterior , access panels , etc. and he said he checked that . Rust ? I don't think it's old enough for that to be the issue . He said he even put a 2x4 against it and pounded on it .
It's 2 hours away parked on a lake so I can't just jump in the truck and go help him .Wife just had knee replacement too . I'm trying to get some ideas for him to check until such time that I can make the trip .

Bolted in place from below? Maybe just stuck to the floor from sticky "gunk?"

quote:

Originally posted by bcereuss:
Bolted in place from below? Maybe just stuck to the floor from sticky "gunk?"

I was going to say perhaps bolted or attached behind an interior panel; ie., does the floor or sides of the fridge have removable panels that may expose an attachment point?

Did he just remove stuff around it, or was there a bracket or attachment points that he removed?

Also, if it's not that old, call the service department of the dealer where it was purchased and ask for guidance.

If your friend has a model number, they could check out the installation instructions from the manufacturer.

https://www.dometic.com/en-us/...nd-van/refrigerators

The original owner has since passed away so no help there . He said it is attached to some " rails " that were screwed to 2x4's and those screws are out . I asked about screws from surrounding cabinets . I'm sure there is insulation under the camper hiding everything but I will mention it . The fact that it will not move at all is troubling . It's not just going to be one last screw holding it . I'm afraid it might have some construction adhesive or foam insulation gluing it in place . He found a video that was nearly an exact match to this unit and he did everything the guy did in the video .

The RV fridge will definitely be connected to a roof top vent. A RV fridge requires flame heated ammonia to work. These refrigerators will eventually leak ammonia (a tell tale sign is yellow gook an the ammonia lines). The escaping ammonia gas will be ignited by the burning pilot light that heats the ammonia to make cold. Dust, dirt, or mice nests behind the refrigerator will ignite and spread to the ammonia lines that leak.

Having bought a Motorhome that had a refrigerator fire I would NEVER suggest a Ammonia based propane fridge anywhere me, or anybody else, would spend time around, especially sleep.

Rip it out and replace with a residential unit.

quote:

Originally posted by armored:

Rip it out and replace with a residential unit.

I think that's the plan . And I asked him about a vent .