2025 Roadtrek Chase 50

[GigaGeek]

Last August I finally pulled the trigger on a (newly delivered to my dealer) 2025 Roadtrek Chase 50 in white/silver with the willow sage interior. The only difference I could find over a 2024 model is the new chassis battery cutoff switch beside the front drivers seat.

Since its original derivative, the Zion was introduced around 2015, for my needs, I’ve always liked the proportions of space allocated for living/sleeping space (for my 6’2” frame), kitchen, bathroom and interior storage. Couple this with a very competent lithium-based electrical system in recent iterations, a raised refrigerator, pull-out pantry, available induction cooktop, macerator waste system and comfortable leather cab seats, the Zion, and later the Chase, has been at the top of my list. Sure, there are some advantages with a few competitors, but personally, for the money this one was the most well-rounded alternative. With Roadtrek’s recent quality initiatives in mind, the purchase became a no-brainer.

Since delivery I traveled over 5700 miles in it from August to Mid October with no issues. It performed flawlessly! I was impressed with the continued quality and content improvements in the Zion/Chase line since Rapido took them over. Their hard work is paying off. I chose the Chase over the Zion because I prefer the more comfortable beds that can still function well as a couch during the day. My overall MPG was 18.6.

My dealer, Sunshine State RVs in Gainesville Florida made the purchase experience smooth.

For working on the road, I added a InstyConnect 5G-LTE external antenna with modem and internal router. It worked very well in all but one boondocking location. In cities and towns it performed nicely.

My additional mods so far have been a blackout cab-to-coach curtain for stealth camping, a Shiraco 12v articulating indoor coach fan for additional warm weather flexibility, and a few assorted hanging hooks.

My goal with this rig is to drive it for a year or two, determine what features I use and don’t use, then have a custom van build to my specifications.

I’ll keep you all posted…

[peteco]

What refrigerator?

[GigaGeek]

Originally Posted by peteco

What refrigerator?

VITRIFRIGO 5.2 c/f, 12v with separate freezer. It is becoming popular in the industry.

[peteco]

Originally Posted by GigaGeek

VITRIFRIGO 5.2 c/f, 12v with separate freezer. It is becoming popular in the industry.

Do you have the model number? Did you get an installation manual with the enclosure dimensions?

[GigaGeek]

Originally Posted by peteco

Do you have the model number? Did you get an installation manual with the enclosure dimensions?

I believe it’s the model below in white. It’s also available in black. Dimensions are shown.

https://www.vitrifrigo.com/en_us/fridge-freezer-dp150i-airlock-black-vitrifrigo

[peteco]

Originally Posted by GigaGeek

I believe it’s the model below in white. It’s also available in black. Dimensions are shown.

https://www.vitrifrigo.com/en_us/fri...ack-vitrifrigo

I am lining up potential fridge replacements for the Dometic RM2554 currently in my Roadtrek 210P. The enclosure opening for the Dometic is 42.63" tall. The Vitrifrigo opening is 43.19" tall. The Vitrifrigo could be accommodated by moving the microwave shelf up. I no longer have the built-in convection microwave so that is not a problem. Thus far, this Vitrifrigo looks like the best replacement I have seen. There is a smaller Vitrifrigo, as well as a Novakool model that others have installed. Then there was a Norcold compressor replacement but I don't think that is available anymore.

Please report on how well the Vitrifrigo works in hot weather. I have seen some reports that the Vitrifrigo freezer might not be able to get down to single digit temps, which would be ideal (I like hard ice cream). But as long as it can get to the teens in temp that should be fine.

[booster]

Originally Posted by peteco

I am lining up potential fridge replacements for the Dometic RM2554 currently in my Roadtrek 210P. The enclosure opening for the Dometic is 42.63" tall. The Vitrifrigo opening is 43.19" tall. The Vitrifrigo could be accommodated by moving the microwave shelf up. I no longer have the built-in convection microwave so that is not a problem. Thus far, this Vitrifrigo looks like the best replacement I have seen. There is a smaller Vitrifrigo, as well as a Novakool model that others have installed. Then there was a Norcold compressor replacement but I don't think that is available anymore.

Please report on how well the Vitrifrigo works in hot weather. I have seen some reports that the Vitrifrigo freezer might not be able to get down to single digit temps, which would be ideal (I like hard ice cream). But as long as it can get to the teens in temp that should be fine.

Interesting frig, too big for our space, though. It looks like it is right on the size that would be a good selling point in class b vans now that bigger battery banks are more common. Vetrifigo and Isotherm are the same company so there probably is an Isotherm version in the same case size that might have different shelving and such, plus might give more energy and venting information.

I sure wish they would publish some energy use information, though. All I could find was 65 running watts so about 5.4 amps. Probably would use in the range of 60-80ah per day based on that and the numbers we hear from users of other frigs that listed their running amps and daily use. Of course conditions make a huge difference and daily power use can change by a 100% over the various conditions.

On the compressor frigs be sure to check the instructions if you can find them to try to figure out what the cooling airflow will be so you can be sure it would work for you. You should have option in the 210 to vent inside or outside so that may make it easier.

[GigaGeek]

Originally Posted by peteco

I am lining up potential fridge replacements for the Dometic RM2554 currently in my Roadtrek 210P. The enclosure opening for the Dometic is 42.63" tall. The Vitrifrigo opening is 43.19" tall. The Vitrifrigo could be accommodated by moving the microwave shelf up. I no longer have the built-in convection microwave so that is not a problem. Thus far, this Vitrifrigo looks like the best replacement I have seen. There is a smaller Vitrifrigo, as well as a Novakool model that others have installed. Then there was a Norcold compressor replacement but I don't think that is available anymore.

Please report on how well the Vitrifrigo works in hot weather. I have seen some reports that the Vitrifrigo freezer might not be able to get down to single digit temps, which would be ideal (I like hard ice cream). But as long as it can get to the teens in temp that should be fine.

On the first leg of my trip, starting in August from Florida, I found the refrigerator/freezer to perform quite well. I monitored the fridge and upper freezer with analog thermometers with the cold setting on high. Due to the large capacity, I was able to fit a bag of ice and some Bison burgers in the freezer with room to spare. I kept both compartments pretty full and did not have any issues keeping everything cold.

[mumkin]

There haven't been too many complaints about temperature with this fridge over on the model related FB page. Just a few where the freezer was fine, but the fridge was getting warm. One issue has been finding someone to service them. Some felt that it used more power than the 5 cf Norcold it replaced, though I suspect that they don't have any real evidence.

These large fridges have been a major selling point since the Roadtrek Promaster line appeared. Amazing how many people say that the big fridge capacity being off the floor was a major reason for choosing RT over other manufacturers.

[GigaGeek]

Originally Posted by mumkin

There haven't been too many complaints about temperature with this fridge over on the model related FB page. Just a few where the freezer was fine, but the fridge was getting warm. One issue has been finding someone to service them. Some felt that it used more power than the 5 cf Norcold it replaced, though I suspect that they don't have any real evidence.

These large fridges have been a major selling point since the Roadtrek Promaster line appeared. Amazing how many people say that the big fridge capacity being off the floor was a major reason for choosing RT over other manufacturers.

Yes, definitely. The large raised refrigerator/freezer, the large raised pull-out pantry, the comfortable adjustable/convertible bed setup, ample interior storage and the significantly upgraded ProMaster chassis were big selling points for me.

[booster]

Originally Posted by mumkin

There haven't been too many complaints about temperature with this fridge over on the model related FB page. Just a few where the freezer was fine, but the fridge was getting warm. One issue has been finding someone to service them. Some felt that it used more power than the 5 cf Norcold it replaced, though I suspect that they don't have any real evidence.

These large fridges have been a major selling point since the Roadtrek Promaster line appeared. Amazing how many people say that the big fridge capacity being off the floor was a major reason for choosing RT over other manufacturers.

I think there is a decent possibility that the frig would take more daily energy than an Norcold, based on Norcold's own literature I have seen in the past.


Norcold sets them up to have a warmer freezer than Isotherm/Vitrifigo does with temp in the 20*s range instead of single digits F. That can have a big effect on efficiency as that is often where all the heat transfer happens. Basically, if you want hard ice cream you will pay a bit more in battery use.

[mumkin]

Originally Posted by booster

I think there is a decent possibility that the frig would take more daily energy than an Norcold, based on Norcold's own literature I have seen in the past.

Could part of it be that the Norcold had a single door with the freezer inside the fridge, whereas the Vitrefrigo is a 2 door fridge.

[booster]

Originally Posted by mumkin

Could part of it be that the Norcold had a single door with the freezer inside the fridge, whereas the Vitrefrigo is a 2 door fridge.

Very possible for sure. Doors are one of the biggest heat leaks in frigs, especially as they get older.