Going somewhere to escape from our everyday obligations is something more and more people are doing, and it seems like that we just figured out how nature is important to us, to our well-being overall, but especially for our mental health. With that in mind, it is no wonder why today, so many people are buying or renting RVs as their whole purpose is to be independent of any specific place since you can go wherever you want and, more importantly, whenever you want.
Being on the road, not rushing to get somewhere is refreshing in this modern world, but even then, there are some things we need to take care of before we start with our RV journey. One of those things is regarding our fridges, and although it may seem like a simple decision, the reality is a little different, and what most people have trouble with is whether to install a residential fridge in your RV or the one made particularly for them. So, if you too have this dilemma, let’s look at some facts and find out which choice is the best one.
Consider the capacity and the size of the refrigerator
A refrigerator is a significant appliance and something that is a must-have today for any RV, especially for longer trips. Having one means that drinks will always be cool and the food will remain fresh, but choosing the right one can be difficult, and the decision whether to go with the regular one or the one made specifically for RV may be much easier if you take into count the size and capacity. These two facts can help a lot when making a decision, and depending on how much room there is in the RV, along with how much space you may need for groceries and other stuff, you will know what to look for precisely.
Speaking solely about RV fridges, they are smaller, and because of that, they occupy less space. The problem occurs when somebody cannot get used to having less room for food and drink. If that happens, replacing the RV refrigerator with the regular one may seem like a good idea, but before making any decision, it is crucial to know how much space you have. It can help you avoid the situation when it cannot fit in the RV or pass through the door. Keep in mind that regular ones are much heavier, and that is also necessary to calculate weight before putting them inside.
Think about which one will last longer
At first glance, they may look the same, but there is a significant difference between refrigerators that are intended for home use and those for RVs. They are not made of the same materials because those standing in the house are not exposed to extreme conditions such as vibrations and bumps. Refrigerators made for RV are made of stronger materials and are made to withstand much more extreme conditions. That is why their lifespan is longer, and they do not need to be changed so often. Luckily, today it is possible to find a residential fridge made of much stronger material, and it can be a perfect innovation for life in the RV. That is why, as with almost every other important decision, before you make one, do proper research.
You will maybe need a child lock for the residential fridge to keep the door closed
The residential fridge is designed to stand in the house without any frequent or sudden movements. In cases when you place it into the RV, the whole situation becomes much different. Due to constant bumps and vibrations, it can be challenging to keep the door closed, and this is just one problem that is likely to happen. Fortunately, one can easily solve this by installing a child lock that will prevent the door from opening every time you run into a road that is not entirely smooth.
Thankfully people are quite innovative, and we find a new use for some things and items that they are not designed for, and a good thing about installing the child lock is that it is not a difficult task, nor will it take too much of your time, but the end result can be more than beneficial. The other solution is to use window latches or L brackets at the front corners. These are just some of the possible solutions, and if you don’t have these gadgets at home, there is for sure something else that you can use.
Consider which one is more efficient
Keep in mind that the RV fridge is usually much smaller than the regular one, and in most cases, its efficiency is not as good as it is with the residential ones. They need more time to cool down, and their work is not that good in a humid and hot climate. Defrosting it every month or two is necessary if you want it to work properly, and that only means more work for you. On the other hand, it also means more power consumption because once you defrost and clean it, it needs time to cool down again. Using the residential refrigerator means that the temperature inside will always be consistent, and because of that, they are much more efficient than those made for RV.
The final verdict
As you could see, there are pros and cons for both residential and RV fridges, but what everyone should keep in mind is that research, along with careful thinking and planning, is of great importance. Every one of us is different, and so are our preferences. What may work great for one may not work at all for the other, meaning that before making any decision, calculate the cost of the fridge, along with the power consumption, space needed, and space you have. After doing all that, the decision should be much easier. In the end, it’s not about whether you can use a residential fridge in an RV, but whether it is a good idea or not.
