I'm not sure this is tech as such but I'm afraid the answer is going to be complex and technical in nature
When I first got my van, I took the fridge out to flip it etc, as it had sat unused for a while and to clean out the cabinet and basically check it out in general, it went back in not long after removing it. . I don't have a pic but similarly sized to this one in a 3 way.
A few weeks ago whilst running some additional wiring and adding in some switches I removed it again.
This time I thought I'd take it out into the back yard to give it a proper once over and a clean.
Unfortunately, the result was similar to this one
That's right the fridge was too big for the door way.
Not having the time or the patience to well and truly test the theory, I left well enough alone and put it back in its place.
Now I've heard that some vans are built inside out but am I imagining things with the fridge ?
If I'm not, when i get around to swapping it over for a compressor fridge, how the hell do I get it out ?
I'd much prefer to not have to dismantle it as it could be useful to some one else or be put back in for sale. Let alone not wanting any gasses to get out as part of the process.
My side windows are certainly wider than the door but I'd have to remove the frame and all to get it through.
My Dometic 3 way fridge died a few years ago (it wasn't very old either). I looked at getting it regassed but decided to go fro a new one. I looked at the sizes and the only thing that would fit in the hole was another Dometic 3 way - the same size but a later model. Damned expensive too! Anyway, the new fridge fitted in the hole OK, but the door is domed out on the face and this now interferes slightly with opening the cupboard door. The new fridge run rings around the old one for performance though... I looked at another brand of fridge but the measurements were too far out and I would have to extensively remodel the under-bench areas to fit it. I suspect the same applies to a 12/240 V electric fridge - they will be a different shape as well.
I'm not sure this is tech as such but I'm afraid the answer is going to be complex and technical in nature
When I first got my van, I took the fridge out to flip it etc, as it had sat unused for a while and to clean out the cabinet and basically check it out in general, it went back in not long after removing it. . I don't have a pic but similarly sized to this one in a 3 way.
A few weeks ago whilst running some additional wiring and adding in some switches I removed it again.
This time I thought I'd take it out into the back yard to give it a proper once over and a clean.
Unfortunately, the result was similar to this one
That's right the fridge was too big for the door way.
Not having the time or the patience to well and truly test the theory, I left well enough alone and put it back in its place.
Now I've heard that some vans are built inside out but am I imagining things with the fridge ?
If I'm not, when i get around to swapping it over for a compressor fridge, how the hell do I get it out ?
I'd much prefer to not have to dismantle it as it could be useful to some one else or be put back in for sale. Let alone not wanting any gasses to get out as part of the process.
My side windows are certainly wider than the door but I'd have to remove the frame and all to get it through.
Any suggestions or wise ideas ?
cheers Brett
Hi Brett.....Just a thought.Is the fridge wider than it is deep? (Distance front to back).If so,turning it sideways may help,or you could even remove the door to reduce the depth.(for want of a better word) Cheers.
-- Edited by yobarr on Tuesday 11th of September 2018 06:24:21 AM
In my case in motorhome. Had to remove a side window. Seemed a hell big job . Surprisingly I did it on my own . Parked beside a retaining wall and hedge in front yard with carpet over side of window opening . Inside lounge . Compressor fridges are way better . Most the time we free camp or running on solar at home.
That's going to be the challenge. Finding something that will be a fit without having to change too much to make it look ok. Don't burst my bubble just yet. I haven't done too much looking and am hoping for a straight fit for what ever I pick.
AK.
I think out the window is going to be the only option.
Getting it out the main door wasn't a case of it just not fitting by a little. It's not making it out there.
I had a leak in a side window and took the frame out before to reseal it, so its not a hard job.
Doing so though might introduce a new leak. if it aint broke and all that.
Oh well, cross that bridge when I get to it I guess.
Any recommendations on an upright compressor fridge ? I've seen some for around the 350 mark but I'm thinking they may not be worth the effort. Still probably have to be better than the current one I have in there on a hot day.
My Vitofrigio 150 litre packed up 12 Volt only. Bought a new thermostat.... didn't work.
The guy who built the Motorhome had some five ply under the fridge and what with vibration etc it would not come out. The metal feet had sunk into the stuff. My son and I took five hours to partially demolish it in situ before we could pry it out.
Luckily I have a roof vent that was able to be dismantled to get it out through the vent.
No way would it have gone out the door. Even with the fridge door removed. Otherwise it would have been remove the rear window.
Looking for a new fridge and the same fridge is roughly $2500. Too dear for me.
Saw a 115 litre Dometic 3 way in sales on here. Unfortunately height and depth OK but just 12mm too wide Bugger!!!!!
Sofa with the six 250 AHr batteries under on one side and Toilet cubicle on the other side of the fridge space. No way to change.
Needless to say still looking at alternatives. Can find plenty of fridges on E Bay and Gumtree but the dimensions so the fit the space. Not yet.
Thanks for the info so far.
Glad I'm not the only one.
Moose, I already had the door of before trying to drag it out.
It was the door laying on the bed whilst I was working on everything else, when I spotted mold on the bottom seal of the door.
So I figure I'd take it all out for a real good clean.
1 foot to the door was as far as it traveled before I realized it wasn't coming out that way.
Sideways or front ways, its just not coming out.
I'm actually thinking I could disconnect one of the winders on the side windows to open it 90 degrees and it might fit without removing the window frame.
Yuglamron - I imagine taking a fridge out a roof vent would have been lots of fun. I don't have one though
After hesitating for a few years . Looking back . Taking window out was not hard . Plenty of screws and sealant . If it was the rubber type like windscreens ? Yes big job . The design in our window had Chanel to vacate the water out . Some sealant , battery drill with Philip s attachment .
In my wisdom I had an aluminium ladder made to sit on the Rear Bumper and bolted to a walkway running on the roof. Right from the rear of the MH to about two thirds towards the front.
The footplates were Pop Riveted to the bumper and 10mm stainless bolts to the roof walkway. The Pop Rivets were 8mm all Steel. If I had to dismantle all that to get the rear window out.
I sure was glad my fridge went through the skylight.
When I bought my new fridge (same casing as the old one), I was assured by the seller that it would fit through the caravan door. I had severe doubts but I had no option - the old fridge was really dead. When I received the fridge, I measured it and confirmed my suspicions - it was too wide to fit through the door. Preparing myself for an epic struggle, I lifted it high (to clear the seats and table and to my surprise, it rattled through the opening no trouble at all!. The door had to come off so I could fit it to the cupboard frame, but that was all. Connect up the gas pipe (and test for leaks), and all the electrics, and away it went - much better than the old one when it was new. The old dead fridge already had the door off it to remove it from its hole, so it was a relatively easy job to get it out through the caravan door. Ours is a standard door frame (Camec, I think), so your fridge will probably ft as well.
It's a common problem. The door manufacturers make wider doors but the van manufacturers don't fit them. Window removal is the only way out. The van manufacturers put them in through the window opening before the window is installed.
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
Purchased my van 2nd hand and it has a brand new fridge, the work receipt shows that the 4 seasons hatch was removed and fridge replaced that way. Was very expensive. Lucky me getting brand new fridge.
Well it would be nice to have a wider door, but the all the other stuff would need changing. Automatic steps, Storage cupboard adjacent to the door The three interior steps would then be offset and the auto steps would also offset. Kitchen on the other side is Stainless" L" shaped and all the plumbing in there.
While I do that Maybe cut the whole wall out and make it a slide out.
Oh I forgot I did NOT win Lotto. Lol
I seriously thought about taking the angle grinder to the fridge but chickened out.
How much pressure is in the system and if I hit a line I could be up for pollution fine for letting refrigerant into the air. I chooked out.
Me too . I looked at cutting down centre ? Leaving the pipe work on one side . Fortunately got it through window and sold it for $450 . Most calls actually came from outback farmers .
I had to take mine out once (once too often) - luckily there was adequate give in the canvas sides! And it proved in the long term that all I had to do was to invert it - cost me $80 to find that out! I'd hate to take the fridge out of our current van with its narrow door! I think the fridge is about 145L.
So do vans have a "Use by Date"? Throw them away when the fridge packs it in!?
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Warren
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If you don't get it done today, there's always tomorrow!
All this talk above got me concerned. My fridge is working ok, but it is a large 190 litre compressor type. I removed it from its cavity recently to give it a good clean all over to remove accumulated dust. It left no room in the passageway and I doubt it would fit through the narrow doorway. However I have large windows either side at the front of the van that I think would be big enough. Phew! Just need a few strong people to help lift it out the window.
for what ever I pick. 
