180 litre fridge - does it work well?

[WendyHampshire]

We're looking for a new fixed bed T/A van and were really impressed with the large 180L fridge in the Swift Conqueror 630 after struggling to cram eveything into the smaller 100 litre-ish versions.

However a Bailey dealer then told us large fridges are being withdrawn in the 2008 models by most manufacturers because they struggle to keep cool enough.

Not sure if that was part of his sales pitch to persuade us to wait to see the Senator 6 Wyoming due out in July, or got truth behind it.

Would be really grateful to hear you experiences pros & cons.

 

[Wendy-Norfolk]

Hi Wendy

We've got the 147ltr fridge freezer in our Bessacarr, and it works better than my fridge at home! I usually have it running on the third "bar" on the control panel, and even then you sometimes find that food items can be nearly frozen at the back.

The freezer part works equally as well, even in very hot weather, so where the Bailey dealer got his information from I do'nt know, certainly from my point of view, he's talking a load of rubbish!

 

[MissRuby]

Hi Wendy

We have a large fridge in our Wyoming when we went to Spain last year our fridge stopped working we were without a fridge for 5 days waiting for an engineer to come from Barcelona. The temperature in Spain at that time was around 39. I don't think our large fridge/freezer is as cool as our last caravan which was an Avondale.

 

[Wendy-Norfolk]

Hi Della,

We have the Thetford fridge in our 'van, correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't your Bailey have the Dometic fridge?

 

[MissRuby]

Hi Wendy,

We do have a Dometic fridge. Do you think there is a difference with the Thetford?

 

[oli]

hi wendy

i work as a airconditioning and refridgeration eng

size is not the problem with fridges in caravans,the problem is ventilation and for the fridges to be able to draw enough air at the back of the fridges to work ok.

heat does play a part but some people add fans to blow more air over the coils so over heating does not happen and most people dont have any problems

weather you have a small or big fridge you need the right amount of ventilation or air flow over the fridge it doesnt make any difference

so yes

bailey man was talking rubbish,maybe caravans designs have not took in to count when putting fridges in caravans that they need above points and will only work to a set temp before overheating and not work

 

[Wendy-Norfolk]

Hi Della,

I don't suppose there is any difference in either fridge, just a name!

As oli says, maybe it's a ventilation thing with your fridge. Our 'van was recalled earlier this year, we believe it was something to do with ventilation, it was working perfectly before, so hasn't made any difference. :O)

 

[WendyHampshire]

Thanks to you all for the replies. It's the first time I've used the forum and it's great to know that there's a load of unbiased advice out the to be called upon - thanks again!

I emailed Swift too, and Martin Hailey their sales manager replied....

"Thank you for your enquiry and your interest in our 2008 models. I am pleased to inform you that we will still be installing the large fridge. We intend to return to the separate freezer section. Feed back from our customers has been negative towards this seasons combined fridge freezer.

We are not aware of the issues with regard to maintaining temperatures, we only hear very positive comments about the large fridges"

 

[AnthonyVJ]

Hi Wendy

I noticed there is a cooling fan for fridges and freezers to use in hot climates and for larger fridges and freezers in the Uk on page 88 of the C.A.K Tanks brochure- item code FFT2 -you could look it up on their website also.www.caktanks.co.uk

Anthony