Question on installing replacement dometic refrigerator.

[jhowery1]

I have purchased the RM2510 to replace the old RM66 in my 1977 23 ft. airstream safari. Did the RM66 rest directly on the wheel housing?

[Melody Ranch]

Have no idea what an RM-66 is.

[jhowery1]

Sorry, this is my first time posting on this forum. The RM66 is the model # of the Dometic refrigerator that was in our airstream. It had been removed, but the cabinet where it belongs has a metal frame that it must have rested on, but looks like it spanned across the wheel housing in the back. Just not sure if that is the correct installation because the wheel housing is about 1 inch taller than the metal frame.

[October]

I replaced the refrigerator in my 74 Safari with a 2510, and had to raise the cabinet above the refrigerator about an inch to accommodate the 2510. The refrigerator in my 74 sits on the floor a couple of inches to the left of the entrance door. Was the refrigerator located in the same location in your trailer?

[jhowery1]

The refrigerator sits to the left as you come inside the main door, but did not sit on the floor. It sits on a metal stand. One side of the stand is shorter and sits in front of the wheel well. The refrigerator must have rested on the wheel housing but the stand is about an inch shorter than top of wheel housing. We have all the original manuals and can see the stand. But there aren't any pics of how it sat in place. Doesn't seem right for it to rest on wheel housing in that one side.

[AldeanFan]

I have a 1977 Safari too!
My trailer has the original fridge,
I'll have a look tonight, and take some pics of how the fridge is mounted from inside the cabinet underneath.

I'm confident the wheel well extends under the fridge but the wheel well is plastic so it definitely does not support any weight.

There's probably a wood frame that sits on top of the aluminum stand, but I should know for sure later tonight.

[jm2]

fwiw, our RM66E sits on an angled metal frame that is nearly 2" higher than the top of wheel well.

I also sent you a PM with a question - thanks!

[TomKirk]

The fridge must never rest on the wheelhouse.

When you took the old fridge out, there should've been a stand (frame) made of 1" square aluminum tubing. This is what the fridge actually sets on.

If you don't have it, consult a metal fabrication shop. They're easy enough to fabricate.

Tom

[jhowery1]

We have the metal stand for it to sit on but it is about 1 inch shorter than the wheel housing. When mounted the stand will support the weight, but it will press down the plastic of the wheel housing.
I want to thank everyone for their input. First time posting and you guys are awesome!

[AldeanFan]

This should help,
The bottom of my fridge has a channel, about 1-1/4" that sits on the aluminum frame, the channel stops before the wheel-well so that there is clearance.

[jhowery1]

Thank you so much! That is exactly the info we needed!

[AldeanFan]

Glad I could help,
Welcome to the forum, before you know it you'll be giving out advice and helping other airstreamers too!

[SoverignGal]

Hi! We have a Dometic RM75a, Type 513A (if that means anything to anyone) in our '71Soverign International. I was looking through the original documentation for fridge dimensions. It mentions: Minimum Installation Clearance, Kits 1-3 (whatever those were), built in space required, ventilation height, and minimum installation clearances.
I was wondering if anyone could use these papers. I could try to scan and upload them.