FTC Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through some of the links in this article for more information, visit our Advertising Disclosure Page.

You can subscribe to the Everything About RVing YouTube Channel for some great videos about RVing

RV Refrigerator is Not Cold Enough

by Anonymous
()

Help Your RV's Fridge Keep Its Cool

Help Your RV's Fridge Keep Its Cool

The refrigerator in our 1994 Wilderness travel trailer doesn't get very cold. The freezer freezes great, but the bottom doesn't get very cold on the electric. Is there something that we can try?

ANSWER: This is a common complaint with RVers. The fact that your refrigerator is not getting cold enough while using electric could be an indication that there is a problem with the refrigerator itself, but before you go to the expense of taking your travel trailer in and having the fridge checked out, there a couple of things you can try that cost far less than getting the fridge checked out by a Certified RV Technician.

The problem could be that the cold air in your refrigerator is not getting circulated. Unlike home refrigerators, most RV refrigerators do not come equipped with a circulation fan. There are battery-operated RV Refrigerator Fan (pictured below) that can greatly improve the cooling efficiency of your RV's fridge. Installing a RV Fridge Vent Fan will also increase the efficiency of the refrigerator and help your RV's fridge keep its cool.


RV Refrigerator Fan

I would also suggest that you perform some routine maintenance on your fridge which can also help it stay cooler. Watch the video below from RVing Expert Mark Polk for more great information on RV Refrigerators.


To  Purchase and Instantly Download
the videos available from RV Education 101 visit our
RV Education
101 Video Download Page.

Camping World
Shop Camping World Products on Sale Now!

If the cooling does not improve after trying these steps, you may have to take your RV to a Certified RV Technician and have them diagnose and repair the problem.

I hope this helped.

Comments for RV Refrigerator is Not Cold Enough

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Fridge not Cold, Freezar doesn't freeze.
by: Anonymous

I have a 2019 Grand Design Momentum. The technician who did my orientation said if things are cold going into the fridge, they'll stay cold. But, if you add something that is not cold, it will take several days for it to get cold. That was an exaggeration. After a week, my milk starts to get cool, not cold.

The freezer takes a long time but it does freeze ice cubes and the food I placed in it that was frozen stayed frozen. However, It will not freeze food. I've had a loaf of bread and a 1/2 cup container of ice cream in there for 3 weeks now and neither are frozen. I am afraid to buy meat.

What can I do? Taking it in for service is unlikely to work. Based on what the tech said in the beginning, I'm thinking this is an issue with this type of fridge/freezer.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		frustrating
by: LG

I appreciate this article. My camper refrigerator, less than a year old, does not cool when traveling, and if stopped for a couple of days, everything freezes.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		My solution
by: Anonymous

I rotate a few frozen water bottles in the door. It's much better now.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		RV Refrigerator Superchargers
by: Dick Reed

The first time we used the rv refigerator in our new, used, motorhome I noticed the unit just couldn't really handle the task. I did the dollar bill test on the door gaskets. They failed miserably. Below is what I saw as the only logical and feasible solution to my deilmma.

I cut the seals off of the doors, and installed new adhesive backed gaskets I got from Grainger. I didn't try to skimp. I got D-shaped gaskets of sufficient size. I cut them at a 45 degree angle in the corners and left a little gap between them. I filled the gaps with silicone caulk and allowed them to dry thoroughly.

I then bought two used 12 volt computer tower fans at the flea market for five dollars. I mounted them in the outside compartment directly below the coils and wired them to the gas valve. The current draw is very minimal on these fans, and the refrigerator works great now.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		40 degrees
by: Anonymous

Fridge is still not cold enough,with an additional fan! Guess I'll blame it on AZ heat! But it's been this way thru several states!! I never spend time with door open, like I used to tell the kids, "shut the door there's nothing in there moving, it's boring!"
Rating
starstarstar 		not cold enough
by: Anonymous

OK, so we took our motorhome in for warranty work. One complaint was fridge not cold enough. 45 degrees, set on coldest setting. The shop tested and said it needed a new cooling unit which was installed. Great, it is now down to 43, still not cold enough!!
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Cold fridge
by: Anonymous

We use the fridge fan works great and remember don't stand with the door open! get in, get out.

Click here to add your own comments

Return to Ask an RV Question.

LEARN HOW TO RUN 2 RV A/Cs ON A 30 AMP CONNECTION