1960 Dometic refrigerator

[CAPEHORN31]

My 1960 Dometic refer does not work. Is it gas only? I might have to buy a new one. What size will fit in my 1960 Tradewind? Are there any considerations that I need to look at for an new installation? What brand has the best track record?
Thanks, Terry

[Sugarfoot]

Hey Terry, if yours is original to the coach it is gas only. Check the thread Anyone out there with refer as old as mine? Also, there is a thread on "burping" old refers and some other stuff that might be helpful. Try Burping my Fridge??? and renewing old refrigerators. I didn't think mine worked either, but found the trailer must be level especially from front to back. Side to side leveling is important, but not as crucial. It's a beautiful thing to see ice from a 46 year old Dometic.

As far as replacement, I'll have to punt that to someone else in the know.

[RV_cool]

replacement is really the choice of the owner. Some choose to replace, some choose to rebuild what they already have. Although when you replace most of the time you can not find the same size, and you have to cut away cabinets or fill in open spaces. Not to mention the newer ones don't last as long as the older ones. I've seen many older ones that lost the hydrogen charge thru, believe it or not, seepage of the hydrogen thru the pores of the steel tubing. This takes a period of many years to happen, but it does happen.

[eubank]

I agree with RV Cool! The MA52 in our 67 finally kicked the bucket in the fall. We were going to have it rebuilt, but decided to go with a new one for the time being. (The original is going to be in the garage for a rebuild when the time comes.) And RV Cool is right: It's just not possible to find one the same size. Here are some specs:

DOMETIC MA52 (original)
H 35 X W 322 3/8 X D ~24

DOMETIC RM7401 2-Way, Single Door
H 32 11/32 x W 20 11/16 x D 21 5/16

DOMETIC RM2351 2-Way, Single Door
H 29-3/4 x W 20-1/2 x D 21-3/8

Ok, you can see that the RM7401 is the closest in terms of size. Now just try to find one! We're going to have to have it special ordered.


Lynn