Classic Refrigerator

[10Smiles]

I cannot find it anywhere... What brand refrigerator does Airstream use in the Classic? Their specifications state that it is a 10.1 cf refrigerator, but does not state the brand (at least not that I could find). Nova Cool has a 9.1 cf unit that looks nice, but 10 cf would be even better.

Back story: We are planning on replacing the original 10 cf absorption refrigerator in our 2005 Classic with a 12 volt unit (I know, some people say this is not an upgrade). We have 600 Watts of solar on the roof and 300 ah of lifepo4 batteries, plus a dc-dc charger. Besides, we mostly camp with full hookups.

[10Smiles]

Can anyone tell me the brand/model of the current refrigerators used in the Classics?

[uncle_bob]

Hi

The fridge they now use will not fit in the space in your trailer. I'd go shopping for a replacement based on the space you have available.

The 2024 Classic brochure:

https://www.airstream.com/wp-content...c-Brochure.pdf

Shows a 9.7 cubic foot fridge.

The 2025 Classic Brochure:

https://www.airstream.com/wp-content...c-Brochure.pdf

Also shows a 9.7 cubic foot fridge.

Not sure where the 10.1 cubic feet came from.

The Nova Cool products seem to do pretty well. The one in our van has worked out for us.

Bob

[10Smiles]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi
...

Not sure where the 10.1 cubic feet came from.
...

Bob

Thank you for the response (and the brochure .pdf's). I got the 10.1 from the Airstream website looking at "specifications" for the Classic.

Nova Cool May be the one we go for.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by 10Smiles

Thank you for the response (and the brochure .pdf's). I got the 10.1 from the Airstream website looking at "specifications" for the Classic.

Nova Cool May be the one we go for.

Hi

You may well find you have plenty of space. You equally well could find that this or that dimension restricts what you can use. Do you:

1) start chopping things apart to fit some ideal fridge?

2) find a fridge that fits better? That part is up to you.

My choice would be number 2 by a pretty wide margin.

Yes, you might find that nothing fits (I very much doubt this is the case). You might find that multiple models fit fine.

If there are choices, I'd vote for one that has a separate compressor for the freezer and "fridge" sections of the appliance. Temperature management is *way* easier ....

Bob

[farafield]

Did you not get a bunch of "literature" with your Classic? You should have all of the owners manuals, installation procedures, etc. for all of the equipment specific to your individual trailer.

[10Smiles]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

...

If there are choices, I'd vote for one that has a separate compressor for the freezer and "fridge" sections of the appliance. Temperature management is *way* easier ....

Bob

That's one thing I like about the Nova Cool, it has a two compressor option.

I'll have to double check, but I believe the width is about the same as our current (original) Dometic, I think it is a little shorter though, easy remedy by adding a piece of hickory (or maybe even a small cabinet above the fridge).

[10Smiles]

Our current 10 CF refrigerator has a cutout nominally 60" by 24". The Nova Cool 9.1 CF RFU9000 has a cutout requirement of 53" by 23.25". Should easily fit in the space. I doubt we will notice the 0.9 CF difference especially since we will no longer have the cooling fins protruding into the refrigerator box. With the Nova Cool being 7 inches shorter, there is potentially a nice little overhead cabinet.

I still do not know the brand of the refrigerator used in the new Classic trailers ...

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by 10Smiles

Our current 10 CF refrigerator has a cutout nominally 60" by 24". The Nova Cool 9.1 CF RFU9000 has a cutout requirement of 53" by 23.25". Should easily fit in the space. I doubt we will notice the 0.9 CF difference especially since we will no longer have the cooling fins protruding into the refrigerator box. With the Nova Cool being 7 inches shorter, there is potentially a nice little overhead cabinet.

I still do not know the brand of the refrigerator used in the new Classic trailers ...

Hi

Smaller is better, bigger is a major pain.

Height wise, you need ventilation above and below these fridges. You are set up for outside ventilation with your propane unit. Some folks go to inside vents (that's how the modern trailers do it). Others re-rig the outside vents. The gotcha there is rain / spray coming in through those vents. The compressor fridges are not as "wet tolerant" as the propane stuff was.

Best guess on the current fridge is that's it's a Norcold N10DC:

https://norcold.com/wp-content/uploa...F_20230109.pdf

Since this is AS and they change stuff all the time, there's no way to really be sure what they are using this week.

Fun !!!

Bob

[10Smiles]

Thank you for your help Bob!

BTW, that Norcold looks pretty good, it is now on the short list.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by 10Smiles

Thank you for your help Bob!

BTW, that Norcold looks pretty good, it is now on the short list.

Hi

I don't think it's a two compressor design. I believe they "share" one compressor between the two compartments. I'd go for two independent compressors.

Bob

[10Smiles]

Yeah, I noticed that. The Nova Cool has a dual compressor option, but it is smaller (and shorter) than the Norcold. Also, the Norcold looks like it will exactly fit my current opening. Trade-offs!!

[aftermath]

Sorry if you have already spoken to this but.....have you called Airstream? I would think that with the year, model and serial number they could look this up. Of course this is a logical thing and might not really apply to the Airstream world of today.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by 10Smiles

Yeah, I noticed that. The Nova Cool has a dual compressor option, but it is smaller (and shorter) than the Norcold. Also, the Norcold looks like it will exactly fit my current opening. Trade-offs!!

Hi

Inside capacity of the two is very close. I'd be very careful of something that appears to "exactly fit". When it turns out to be 1/4" to big .... yikes. Same thing if it needs some sort of added clearance for ventilation.

My vote would be for one that's a bit smaller and a nicely done spacer strip here or there.

Bob

[Saullman]

My 2023 Classic 33 has the 'Norcold' Im really impressed with this fridge/freezer. It works extremely well in 100+ temps and of course when its cold inside.

[10Smiles]

Thank you for the information and your experience.