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 Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 05-06-2010, 07:15 AM   #1
Always Airstreaming!
 
rickandsandi's Avatar
 
2005 22' Safari
1960 24' Tradewind
Anytown , Connecticut
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,115
Send a message via AIM to rickandsandi
Dometic Rip-Off

For the past three years we have had to replace at least one door shelf each season for our RM2451. The upper back corners always break off causing the shelf to fall. I have talked to them several times and each time they have stated they have never received any complaints about the shelves breaking. Does anyone else have this problem. I also had to order new strips for the top and bottom door panel. Cheap plastic which had broken away from the screws. No get this; I ordered the top & bottom strips and figured I would get the six new screws. How about $6.26 each! A stupid RXS B4X9.5 screw; how about $0.06 at Ace Hardware? If anyone else is having trouble with the door shelves please let me know, we can't be the only ones replacing one every year.
__________________
J. Rick Cipot
Sandi Gould
NEU New England Unit
Airstream Life Magazine
Proud Member of WBCCI
WBCCI #3411
AIR #17099
2009 Silverado 2500HD
2004 22' Safari
1960 24' Tradewind
rickandsandi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-06-2010, 08:42 AM   #2
Lost in America
 
mojo's Avatar
 
2015 27' FB International
2006 25' Safari FB SE
2004 19' International CCD
Santa Fe , New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,151
I'm with you there. Have replaced the plastic top & bottom trim strips and all of the three shelves have the top slots chipped off. But the shelves are still holding, for now. Dometic sure does know how to charge for cheap plastic replacement parts.
mojo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-06-2010, 08:59 AM   #3
Always Airstreaming!
 
rickandsandi's Avatar
 
2005 22' Safari
1960 24' Tradewind
Anytown , Connecticut
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,115
Send a message via AIM to rickandsandi
I would really like to hear from everyone who has had shelf problems and if possible documented with photos, dates, communications with Dometic etc. There is no doubt in my mind that there is a design flaw and I am getting tired of paying $35 a year for new ones and being told, "No Sir, no one else has had this problem". Lets All get together under one umbrella and see what we can do to get this corrected to proper and organized way.

J. Rick
__________________
J. Rick Cipot
Sandi Gould
NEU New England Unit
Airstream Life Magazine
Proud Member of WBCCI
WBCCI #3411
AIR #17099
2009 Silverado 2500HD
2004 22' Safari
1960 24' Tradewind
rickandsandi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-06-2010, 09:08 AM   #4
Rivet Master

 
2015 27' Flying Cloud
Portland , Oregon
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 684
Send a message via AIM to hhendrix Send a message via Yahoo to hhendrix
Mine is too new. Do you have any pictures?
hhendrix is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-06-2010, 11:21 AM   #5
Rivet Master
 
2002 19' Bambi
Lafayette , California
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,559
Our shelves also broke, but it was our fault. Lots of weight in them while driving over bumpy roads caused it. If I recall correctly, the replacements were just expensive enough that we wanted to avoid the problem. So we now move the heavy stuff off the shelves while driving. No more broken shelves.

Tim
Tim A. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2010, 01:14 AM   #6
Rivet Master
 
2005 19' Safari
GLENDALE , AZ
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,453
Same experience as Tim A. -- We replaced three shelves the first year, then quit putting heavy stuff in them. Poor design, but even worse materials.

There are lots of plastics out there; surely they could use one that would last. Polycarbonate is practically indestructible, and is used in eye glasses and the FantasticFan lids.

As much as replacement shelves cost, it is inexcusable to continue to use the cheap plastic for this application.

Maybe, someone could start a new business molding polycarbonate replacement shelves. I'd buy some...
Phoenix is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2010, 04:10 AM   #7
Rivet Master
 
AIR-Quarius's Avatar
 
1970 27' Overlander
Espanola , Full Timer
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,753
Images: 39
Send a message via Yahoo to AIR-Quarius Send a message via Skype™ to AIR-Quarius
Ours is 'freezer above-fridge below' built. And the shelves are fine and get cleaned on a regular basis...but one time I forgot to close the egg bin and shut the main door on it and cracked it. So I took some gorilla glue and made a hairline repair. But I will still almost overlook it when it's open.
__________________
https://customrvdecalplus.com
AIR-Quarius is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2012, 04:10 PM   #8
3 Rivet Member
 
aircampr's Avatar
 
2015 23' International
Lake Forest Park , Washington
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 140
Images: 21
I see this is an old thread, but will say our 2007 19' Safari SE LS has Dometic with same cheap plastic inside door. The bottom shelf, which is wider (more lever arm) broke a tab and fell off. I screwed it and glued it, but then pieces of the inner door liner broke off.

Clearly this is poor choice of plastic material.
aircampr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2012, 06:13 PM   #9
Rivet Master
 
SilverRanger's Avatar
 
2005 19' Safari
1968 24' Tradewind
Rural , Delaware
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,476
Didn't see this thread until now. My shelves started breaking shortly after the warranty expired. Same situation as aircampr, screwed, glued, and they broke somewhere else. Still looking for a non-Dometic replacement parts solution, that doesn't involve a lot of duct tape.
__________________
2005 Bambi
1968 Trade Wind
2007 Ford F250 4x4 Crew
WDCU
SilverRanger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2012, 03:29 PM   #10
2 Rivet Member
 
2007 19' International CCD
The Woodlands , Texas
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 45
I agree that Dometic rips you off royally for plastic replacement parts. The two plastic spring castings which provide the spring tension which allows the freezer door to shut cost me $23.38 each and a $25.00 shipping charger for a total of $74.68 for two small plastic parts.

What a total rip off.

Is there a better place to get refrigerator parts for Dometic?

Thanks
eberrobw is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2012, 03:53 PM   #11
Rivet Master
 
dznf0g's Avatar
 
2007 30' Classic
Oswego , Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,656
Images: 5
I got my stuff at PPL Motorhomes, they are cheaper than Dometic direct. Most recently, a cracked freezer "Juice dispenser" The old one was a rather brittle clear plastic, like the shelves in the freezer and fridge. The new one was a white plastic which matches the interior of the unit and the plastic seems to be a more flexible material. Maybe an improvement over the clear stuff?????? Cost was $6 and change....reasonable shipping.
__________________
-Rich-

"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
dznf0g is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2012, 06:54 PM   #12
Rivet Master
 
Mike Leary's Avatar
 
Currently Looking...
1984 31' Airstream310
Ajo , Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,649
Images: 4
Quote:
Originally Posted by eberrobw View Post
I agree that Dometic rips you off royally for plastic replacement parts. The two plastic spring castings which provide the spring tension which allows the freezer door to shut cost me $23.38 each and a $25.00 shipping charger for a total of $74.68 for two small plastic parts.

What a total rip off.

Is there a better place to get refrigerator parts for Dometic?

Thanks
I'd like to hear of one. Those latches are complete junk. I hope Dometic monitors this site because they've made the same crappy spring castings for years.
Mike Leary is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2012, 07:40 PM   #13
Rivet Master
 
Goal15's Avatar
 
2006 23' Safari SE
Holly Lake Ranch , Texas
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,794
Images: 1
There is a place. I just replaced mine. I will look tomorrow and see where i got them
__________________
Dana and Olga
2006 Safari 23
2011 Tundra Double Cab
Goal15 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2012, 09:22 PM   #14
Rivet Master
 
dznf0g's Avatar
 
2007 30' Classic
Oswego , Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,656
Images: 5
Here ya go:

Dometic Motorhome/RV/Marine Refrigerators - PPL Motor Homes
__________________
-Rich-

"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
dznf0g is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2012, 03:53 AM   #15
Rivet Master
 
noreen&sal's Avatar
 
1981 27' Excella II
mays landing , South Jersey
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,179
Images: 9
I also have a broken door shelf. What do you expect from a $1200. appliance? How about needing accessory fans for the interior box and vent compartment. Don't get me started. Sal.
__________________
Sal & Nora
Let us live so that when we die even the undertaker will be sorry. Mark Twain
AIR 42483
TAC N.J. 17
WBCCI 24740
noreen&sal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2012, 05:57 AM   #16
Rivet Master
 
Currently Looking...
Mantua , Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,062
Blog Entries: 2
Never needed fans for the fridge or had a shelf break, I also never overload either the fridge or the shelves. Just by looking at the shelf you can tell not to put too much weight on it. Sometimes we need to help ourselves by using common sense and not blame everything on someone else. Yea, the fridges could be more substantial, but they are what they are. Be aware! Jim
xrvr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2012, 08:33 AM   #17
Rivet Master
 
1994 30' Excella
Mississauga , Ontario
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,238
I also have had pieces break but I imagine they try to keep weight down and cost of construction.
Mine needs two $60.00 door handles that can't cost more than $5.00 to manufacture.
Al
__________________
Al and Jean

TAC ON-3
BigAl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2012, 10:10 AM   #18
Rivet Master
 
Goal15's Avatar
 
2006 23' Safari SE
Holly Lake Ranch , Texas
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,794
Images: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by eberrobw View Post
I agree that Dometic rips you off royally for plastic replacement parts. The two plastic spring castings which provide the spring tension which allows the freezer door to shut cost me $23.38 each and a $25.00 shipping charger for a total of $74.68 for two small plastic parts.

What a total rip off.

Is there a better place to get refrigerator parts for Dometic?

Thanks
Google is your friend. if you google dometic freezer door springs, both the springs and carriers come up.... carriers cost me about $8 each and i was able to order them through my local AS dealer's parts department. a real pain to install depending upon the year of your refrigerator, mine was before they added screws to the bottom of the door, but there is a pretty helpful online video to do the installation. I also detailed it in this thread:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f425...ngs-89138.html


Hope this is helpful, although I realize that you have probably already made the repair with the more expensive Dometic parts. But if the spring carriers broke once, they may break again.

Dana
__________________
Dana and Olga
2006 Safari 23
2011 Tundra Double Cab
Goal15 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2012, 10:11 AM   #19
tpi
Rivet Master
 
2005 25' Safari
Trabuco Canyon , California
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 866
Images: 2
I had a small piece of the shelf break off, but so far so good otherwise. It sure appears the plastic is flimsy and I've always treated it tenderly.

But that seems par for the course for Dometic. Most of my RV trouble over the years centers around the Dometic nameplate. If you like the plastic on the refrigerator interior, you'll love the plastic AC shroud which rots quickly in sunlight.
tpi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-24-2012, 03:53 AM   #20
Rivet Master
 
noreen&sal's Avatar
 
1981 27' Excella II
mays landing , South Jersey
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,179
Images: 9
Quote:
Originally Posted by tpi View Post
I had a small piece of the shelf break off, but so far so good otherwise. It sure appears the plastic is flimsy and I've always treated it tenderly.

But that seems par for the course for Dometic. Most of my RV trouble over the years centers around the Dometic nameplate. If you like the plastic on the refrigerator interior, you'll love the plastic AC shroud which rots quickly in sunlight.
OMHO, but I think plastic milk bottles are stronger. I realize they are not mass produced, but still, the refer in my kitchen cost 1/3 of the one in the AS, is at least twice the size, and put together 10 times better. Now somebody tell me I'm compairing apples and oranges. Sal.
__________________
Sal & Nora
Let us live so that when we die even the undertaker will be sorry. Mark Twain
AIR 42483
TAC N.J. 17
WBCCI 24740
noreen&sal is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
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


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Please Help with Suburban NT-30M Furnace before I rip off all my skin. berea777 Furnaces, Heaters, Fireplaces & Air Conditioning 4 03-06-2013 05:55 PM
Sherri RIP StingrayL82 Off Topic Forum 61 09-01-2007 04:28 PM
Dented skin repair from awning rip-off givememoreli Ribs, Skins & Rivets 3 07-18-2005 06:28 PM
Rip Tape for Awning pittsf Awnings 3 06-14-2005 08:36 PM
My Refrigerator, RIP, A Real Sad Story dmreilly10000 Refrigerators 10 10-25-2002 07:39 AM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:17 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.