Replacement fridge for '80s PT

[mrkane1952]

Greetings All:

A new refrigerator is installed. I found an Avanti FFBM920W at a local building
supply for ~$300 (a Labor Day special.) This is a two door, bottom freezer 9.2
cu.ft. model. It is frost-free, drawing 130 watts at 110 VAC. (Also available in
this area were the Whirlpool mentioned before, and a Magic Chef unit. The
Whirlpool has exposed coils extending over the entire rear surface. The Magic
Chef had universally bad reviews online. Both were also a bit more costly.)

Removal of the old Dometic from the cabinet was straight-forward. Getting it out
of the coach through the door was not too bad, after taking out the step-well
cover, the grab handles, and the co-pilot seat. The fridge doors were also
removed. Three of us lifted the new unit into the coach without much trouble.
Removal of the dinette seats would help eliminate tight spots, if they are the
38-inch-wide style.

The new unit was completely enclosed--no place for vermin to roost, contrasted
to the old one which was covered in mud-dauber (wasp) nests. The Avanti is the
same depth and width, but about 4 inches taller than the 3801. The unit sits on
a shelf over a drawer and chassis heater for the bathroom, so the upper
compartment over the fridge was modified. The compartment floor was raised, and
the doors shortened. (In my coach, the support shelf below the unit was
water-damaged and delaminating. I replaced it as well.) The fridge fits tightly
between the lower support and the compartment floor above, so that it cannot
tilt. I am still finalizing the weather stripping and restraints.

The old Dometic was rated about 8 cu.ft. and the Avanti is 9.2. However, the new
unit can accept gallon milk jugs, as well as a 24-pack of cokes on the top
shelf. The freezer is much larger--full-size frozen pizzas will fit on the
shelf. Don't have to cook them as soon as they get home from the grocery store!
The Avanti is also quiet in operation.

Don't know how durable the Avanti will be on the road, but r/r will be easier
now the cabinet is enlarged for the newer-sized fridges.

--M.R.Kane
'87 PT40 "Sleipnir"
currently Iron River, MI


>
> Greetings All:
>
> The original Dometic RM3801 refrigerator in my coach is failing.
>

<snip>

> Thanks--
>
> M.R.Kane
> '87 PT40
> currently Iron River, MI
>