Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 05-22-2016, 06:18 PM   #1
New Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Oregon
Posts: 4
Default Fridge up, freezer down

I'm in the market for a Class B RV and one of the things I'm considering is the layout for a refrigerator/freezer unit. I will use the refrigerator more frequently than the freezer, so it makes sense that the fridge will be on top and the freezer down below. That will make for less bending over for this aging body!

As I look at various units online, it seems that most of them are set up as freezer on top and refrigerator on the bottom. That seems backward to me. Ideally, I think a chest style freezer on the bottom that rolls out would be the best situation from both an ergonomic and economic viewpoint.

Any ideas, links, or brands for me to shop?
Forward is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2016, 06:58 PM   #2
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
Posts: 124
Default

Our home fridge is like that, but I don't remember ever seeing a class B with the freezer on the bottom. If you can't find one, you might think of getting a camper where the fridge is a certain distance off the ground.
You don't mention whether you're looking for new or used.
William
WJones is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2016, 07:11 PM   #3
Platinum Member
 
eric1514's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ID AZ
Posts: 867
Default

The way an absorption fridge works necessitates that the freezer be on top for the best efficiency. A compressor fridge can be made either way.
__________________
2006 Dynamax Isata 250 Touring Sedan

"Il Travato Rosso"
2015 Travato 59g
eric1514 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2016, 08:39 PM   #4
New Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Oregon
Posts: 4
Default

I'm looking for used units 1-4 years old. You're right. If the whole fridge/freezer is higher it keeps the bending over limited. Maybe it's less of a nuisance in reality than I imagine.
Forward is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2016, 08:51 PM   #5
New Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Oregon
Posts: 4
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by eric1514 View Post
The way an absorption fridge works necessitates that the freezer be on top for the best efficiency. A compressor fridge can be made either way.
I'm most interested in RV's that eliminate the need for propane. I'd prefer to live with a single fuel source for the vehicle and cabin heat and everything else electric.
Forward is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2016, 01:40 AM   #6
Site Team
 
avanti's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,321
Default

Our NovaKool RFU68000 has a bottom freezer:

IMG_06.JPG
__________________
Now: 2022 Fully-custom buildout (Ford Transit EcoBoost AWD)
Formerly: 2005 Airstream Interstate (Sprinter 2500 T1N)
2014 Great West Vans Legend SE (Sprinter 3500 NCV3 I4)
avanti is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2016, 02:05 AM   #7
New Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Oregon
Posts: 4
Default

That's what I had in mind. Thanks for the photo.
Forward is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2016, 03:09 AM   #8
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Chaska MN
Posts: 1,700
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by avanti View Post
Our NovaKool RFU68000 has a bottom freezer:
Did you special order this on your Great West?

I've never seen another, and I suspect that it may be one of a kind.
__________________
2021 Promaster 1500 118wb conversion
2019 Roadtrek Simplicity SRT (almost a Zion)
2015 Roadtrek 170
2011 LTV Libero
2004 GWV Classic Supreme
mumkin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2016, 02:01 AM   #9
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Herndon, Virginia
Posts: 494
Default

My home fridge has the freezer on the bottom and I love it but, unfortunately, the layout of RV adsorption fridges is dictated by the physics of the refrigeration unit. The ammonia refrigerant goes into the freezer first and the flows down the the refrigerator section.
JohnnyFry is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2016, 02:12 AM   #10
Site Team
 
avanti's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,321
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by mumkin View Post
Did you special order this on your Great West?

I've never seen another, and I suspect that it may be one of a kind.
Yep, it was one of the mods that I specified when I ordered the unit. They were still using absorption fridges at the time. I think near the end they switched to compressors, but not the NovaKool. Dave said that they were difficult to source.
__________________
Now: 2022 Fully-custom buildout (Ford Transit EcoBoost AWD)
Formerly: 2005 Airstream Interstate (Sprinter 2500 T1N)
2014 Great West Vans Legend SE (Sprinter 3500 NCV3 I4)
avanti is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2016, 10:38 AM   #11
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
Posts: 124
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Forward View Post
I'm most interested in RV's that eliminate the need for propane. I'd prefer to live with a single fuel source for the vehicle and cabin heat and everything else electric.
I'm sure there must be a number of used B's out there that fit the bill, but just be aware that you are limiting your choices quite a bit. You are looking for a diesel power train with a diesel space/water heater. I don't know what type of stove top you want if it isn't propane? Electric maybe, with solar and plenty of batteries and a high power inverter?
This could be the subject of a completely different thread.
William
WJones is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
freezer, fridge, refrigerator

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT. The time now is 03:22 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.