Replace Residential Fridge - 2022 Palazzo

[mtkdavis]

Hi everyone,

Looking for some advice from anyone who’s tackled a residential fridge replacement in a Class A diesel pusher.

I have a 2022 Thor Palazzo with a Whirlpool residential fridge that’s no longer holding temp. I’ve had a couple of technicians out, and both confirmed there’s a freon leak. Since it’s a sealed system, the repair would involve replacing the compressor and several other components—estimated around $1,500, which is more than the fridge is worth at this point.

From what I’ve been told, the only way to get the old fridge out (and a new one in) is by removing the passenger side window. I’ve read a few posts where folks used scaffolding or even forklifts to get it done, and I’m thinking this may be beyond my DIY capabilities.

Has anyone here gone through this? Can a standard RV dealer/service center handle something like this, or is it more of a specialty job? Any recommendations or lessons learned would be hugely appreciated!

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[lwmcguire]

If your Palazzo has the larger door like the Tuscany line you can remove the fridge doors and bring it in up the stairs. Check the door width versus the fridge width minus the doors.

 

[rudyhehn]

Agreed, do some measuring. Removing the fridge doors is not difficult, I did it on my home fridge to get it in the door. Removing the window is not as easy. You can do it but requires 2 people, special caulking and some risk of breakage. I decided to hire out my recent window replacements. The fridge will weight around 200 pounds. I have not tried to do this in my RV.

 

[Wratchet]

Hi everyone,

Looking for some advice from anyone who’s tackled a residential fridge replacement in a Class A diesel pusher.

I have a 2022 Thor Palazzo with a Whirlpool residential fridge that’s no longer holding temp. I’ve had a couple of technicians out, and both confirmed there’s a freon leak. Since it’s a sealed system, the repair would involve replacing the compressor and several other components—estimated around $1,500, which is more than the fridge is worth at this point.

From what I’ve been told, the only way to get the old fridge out (and a new one in) is by removing the passenger side window. I’ve read a few posts where folks used scaffolding or even forklifts to get it done, and I’m thinking this may be beyond my DIY capabilities.

Has anyone here gone through this? Can a standard RV dealer/service center handle something like this, or is it more of a specialty job? Any recommendations or lessons learned would be hugely appreciated!

Thanks in advance for the help!

I have a diesel Tuscany class A.
I installed a residential fridge through the front door.
To do this I removed the fridge doors, also removed the front passenger seat. Three people to bring the fridge inside.

 

[Jimbo57]

I have a 2017 palazzo 33.2 and measured across the top front to back with the door open it was 25” and like a house ridge the back is probably another 1-1/2”. The entry door is not that wide even if you take gas shock off. Passenger window is best bet but you may need to remove passenger seat unless the seat back lays down far enough

 

[Richard A.2]

The residential fridge (Whirlpool) in our 2022 Thor Palazzo 33.6 just died last week. The freezer is staying cold, but the fridge is not. Hope to get in to Billy Max RV repairs in the Amarillo area in the next couple weeks to see what is going on. Some dealers may have the ability to look at it and repair, but don't expect it everywhere.

 

[Jimbo57]

The residential fridge (Whirlpool) in our 2022 Thor Palazzo 33.6 just died last week. The freezer is staying cold, but the fridge is not. Hope to get in to Billy Max RV repairs in the Amarillo area in the next couple weeks to see what is going on. Some dealers may have the ability to look at it and repair, but don't expect it everywhere.

Doesn’t make sense because freezer air blows into fridge to cool. Maybe that airway is frozen. Can you unplug or turn off fridge for 24 hrs with doors open to see if that helps

 

[Richard A.2]

Thanks Jimbo57 for your reply. With the freezer and fridge empty, the fridge did get below 40 degrees. There is a steady humming, but not the sound of a fan coming on and going off. I certainly don't have any knowledge in this area, so I'm wondering if it a fan that has failed.

 

[Jimbo57]

Humming could be compressor working but needs a fan to move cold air to fridge. Sorry not much help passed that but leave doors open for 24 hrs with fridge off to melt any ice blockage or call a fridge repair guy. If replacing fridge stay away from Samsung good TVs not refrigerator

 

[Richard A.2]

Thanks Jimbo57. I took your advice and turned it off and opened the doors. With nothing in the fridge (below 40 degrees) and freezer they seem to be as cold as they should be. Maybe the coils (?) froze up or the vents (?) were blocked due to potentially being over filled. We'll see how it responds tomorrow. Thank you for taking the time to respond.