2017 30' Classic Trailer Refrigerator Problems

[HubbyBear77]

Inquiring to see if other 2017 30' Classic Trailers are having the same problems with their refrigerator. We picked up our Airstream in January 2017, replacing a 2006 28' Classic. We took two short trips of several days to make sure all systems were working before starting on a long trip. Resolved the minor problems with our dealer.

We first experienced refrigerator cooling problems on our first long trip. The refrigerator would warm up to 40-45 degrees while driving over 3-4 hours to campgrounds. Longer drives resulted in higher temperatores! At rest stops, I would check to make sure the flame was still on and verify no error codes on the refrigerator. Overnight on AC, the refrigerator would cool back down and would stay cool as long as we were connected. After several travel days having the refrigerator warm up, we became concerned about our foods and ended up buying an ice chest to keep the meats, milk, eggs, etc. at safe temperatures for the rest of the 3 week campout. Upon our return we took our trailer to the dealer for repair, They kept it three weeks and said they cleaned it and it is fixed. The second trip after the repair, it stopped cooling again. Returned to the dealer for repair, same thing happened again, would work for 2 trips, then stop cooling. Repeated this two more times.

Fall 2019, we took our trailer to a Dometic repair center. They diagnosed that the cooling unit on the rear of the refrigerator was faulty. They replaced the cooling unit under warranty from Dometic. The first trip, it seemed to work as the outside temperatures were much cooler. March 2020, we went to Big Bend Nat Park, and the refrigerator again began warming up the longer you drive. Had to return home when COVID hit and the park closed.

Returned the trailer to the Dometic repair center again 2 weeks ago. Now they tell me Dometic confirms that the refrigerator is working and it is shutting off because of too much heat in the refrigerator cabinet. They are supposed to pull the refrigerator and let me know what they find this week.

Just curious to see if any other 2017 30' Classic trailers are have the same issues, and if they were able to resolve them.

[GCinSC2]

Does your fridge have a roof vent directly over the fridge? A large aluminum dome that vents heat?

Not sure if you have one or not.

Gary

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Ours has done fine for us. Like any absorption fridge it struggles a bit when it is really hot out.

Bob

[HubbyBear77]

Originally Posted by GCinSC2

Does your fridge have a roof vent directly over the fridge? A large aluminum dome that vents heat?

Not sure if you have one or not.

Gary

Yes, similar to the one we had on our 28’

[pjshier]

On our new to us 2017 with less than 16 months since new, we discovered a similar issue. Ended up as a bad thermocouple(?) critter that is located in the propane combustion vent tube. Local SOB dealer gave us a known good used one and I was able to replace it pretty easily. Has worked for two years so far.

[GCinSC2]

Originally Posted by HubbyBear77

Yes, similar to the one we had on our 28’

Tale a small personal desk fan and point it straight up mine is on the left side of the fridge looking in from the outside hatch. It's a small fan not much power so I put it on same 120VAC plug as fridge. It just adds a bit more draft of heat up the chimney.

Other factors:
Door seals. Dollar bill test insert dollar close door try to pull dollar out. No drag not good some drag better. Clean the seals if anything was spilled on them.
Fins at the top inside of the fridge. Do not block air around them like a loaf of bread can.
Thermistor position. Not sure of that was covered in previous posts.

Gary

[GCinSC2]

Originally Posted by HubbyBear77

Returned the trailer to the Dometic repair center again 2 weeks ago. Now they tell me Dometic confirms that the refrigerator is working and it is shutting off because of too much heat in the refrigerator cabinet. They are supposed to pull the refrigerator and let me know what they find this week.

Just curious to see if any other 2017 30' Classic trailers are have the same issues, and if they were able to resolve them.

This video takes a look at exhaust heat and managing it. I KNOW this is not from an Airstream but Darren shows the nature of the heat flow problem.

Curious as to what sensor is detecting too much heat and shutting the system down? Having your model number would narrow this down but a thermofuse is in the chimney just above the burner and heating element area. If it is shutting down because it's too hot determining if it's an overheating issue or a bad thermofuse sounds interesting.

Does it ever restart and work correctly after going thru a shut down?

Gary

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxUnW7gudEE

[Zybane]

Pressure differentials can exist while driving that will not allow airflow to properly enter the exterior fridge cooling door and up the flue to the roof. It only uses the natural physics of warm air rises. Since the fridge cools fine whilst not moving, you can rule out an obstruction in the flue.

I would probably install a 12 volt fan on the inside of the fridge compartment exterior door to pull air in. There is 12 volt connections on the bottom of the back of the fridge.

[SSquared]

Does the fridge work well when you set it to run on propane while parked all day on a very hot day?

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by SSquared

Does the fridge work well when you set it to run on propane while parked all day on a very hot day?

Hi

When it's up around 120 on the thermometer and the trailer is out in the sun, *none* of these fridges work well

Bob

[BigSxyWhtGuy]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi



When it's up around 120 on the thermometer and the trailer is out in the sun, *none* of these fridges work well



Bob

Haha! Yup. We were in Vegas at 106. Level parked and on propane. Fridge wouldn’t get colder than 49

[HubbyBear77]

Only used propane while traveling.
No obstructions above the fridge.
Now the fridge rep says the second cooling unit is bad.
Waiting for third replacement, est 3-4 weeks!