List Your Mods:

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I am now on my 2nd Dometic RM 8501 fridge which was purchased at the end of 2020 after my first one got an ammonia leak after 10 years of service.  Question is what options are available in the event this one pukes down the road and I need to replace with another propane fridge?  We normally boondock or at least camp where there is no electricity.  Thanks

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Not many options and there seem fewer and fewer every year. This is a common complaint on the Escape forum. All new campers from Escape are coming with compressor fridges, but then Escape tends to put a bigger fridge in their campers. Hoping we can get ours repaired should it ever go south on us.

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gpokluda Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 11 Nov 2018 Location: East Idaho Online Status: Offline Posts: 471	Post Options Post Reply Quote gpokluda Report Post Quote Reply Topic: List Your Mods: Posted: 26 Oct 2024 at 9:19pm
	[/QUOTE] I am now on my 2nd Dometic RM 8501 fridge which was purchased at the end of 2020 after my first one got an ammonia leak after 10 years of service. Question is what options are available in the event this one pukes down the road and I need to replace with another propane fridge? We normally boondock or at least camp where there is no electricity. Thanks [/QUOTE] Not many options and there seem fewer and fewer every year. This is a common complaint on the Escape forum. All new campers from Escape are coming with compressor fridges, but then Escape tends to put a bigger fridge in their campers. Hoping we can get ours repaired should it ever go south on us.
	Gpokluda 2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023) 2022 Escape 5.0TA 2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB Honda SCL500

Racer Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 03 Nov 2024 Location: Southern CA Online Status: Offline Posts: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote Racer Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Nov 2024 at 10:03am
	From my research the move is clearly from propane to 12v compressor, most new model RV's no longer offer propane options. For serious boondockers this means we now need at least 400w solar and minimum 300ah lithium battery bank along with a dc/dc charging set-up and/or generator should you have a shady spot or poor weather. This adds thousands to the cost. However if you watch comparison videos, the plus is the refrigerators are much larger inside, get cold almost instantly and maintain their temp better in hot weather. Solar components are dropping in price and there is a federal tax credit available as well. But like you our current fridge is a 3 way and once it dies I'm afraid we are stuck.

PENP Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 16 Jul 2025 Online Status: Offline Posts: 8	Post Options Post Reply Quote PENP Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 25 Jul 2025 at 11:57pm
	Check this wireless one camera. I just bought it, but have not installed it yet. As it is wireless you can also easily remove it and use it in different cars or trailers: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSZWLCK2?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

poohbill Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 22 Aug 2019 Location: Idaho Online Status: Offline Posts: 138	Post Options Post Reply Quote poohbill Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 26 Jul 2025 at 1:14am
	I must be nicer to my three-way fridge. I must be nicer to my three-way fridge. I must be nicer to my three-way fridge. I must be nicer to my three-way fridge. With my dilapidated batteries and 80W panel, propane is our workhorse.
	2016 179 Gastropod 2017 Ridgeline

gpokluda Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 11 Nov 2018 Location: East Idaho Online Status: Offline Posts: 471	Post Options Post Reply Quote gpokluda Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 26 Jul 2025 at 7:33am
	The good news is there seems to be a decent crop of two-way (AC/propane) fridges out there. Makes sense since nothing will flatten a battery like an absorption fridge running on DC
	Gpokluda 2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023) 2022 Escape 5.0TA 2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB Honda SCL500

MnMRhoades Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 22 Mar 2026 Location: Colorado Spring Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Post Options Post Reply Quote MnMRhoades Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 12 Apr 2026 at 9:23pm
	Add a second Solar Panel Wife and I bought a new R-Pod RP-185. This unit comes with a single 200W GoPower rigid solar panel and a single bank, bluetooth-enabled SB-PWM 30 BT controller. This RV is equipped with a 12V only refrigerator. The first mod was to double the battery size. Because the 185 came with a a single deep cycle lead acid flooded battery, I purchased a 2nd matching battery, 2-battery, battery box and battery cables from the RV dealer. I installed these items as soon as we got the trailer home. Today I installed a 2nd Renology solar panel that I already owned that I used for our previous RV. I installed the panel using ABS solar panel mounts and double sided Very High Bond (VHB) tape then sealed the mounting bases with self-leveling sealer to help keep water out. I connected the second panel into the roof-mounted power cable interconnect using a set of Y-cables. I also built custom cables connecting the new panel to the Y cables. All materials can be purchased from Amazon. Total wattage increased from 200W to ~ 420 Watts. Note the two panels are wired in parallel. CAUTION: Only do this type of mod if you are comfortable with working with power and electronics. You must disconnect the batteries from the solar charger while disconnecting/reconnecting the solar panels. Here is a picture of the finished product. Edited by MnMRhoades - 12 Apr 2026 at 9:43pm
	M Rhoades

MnMRhoades Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 22 Mar 2026 Location: Colorado Spring Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Post Options Post Reply Quote MnMRhoades Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 12 Apr 2026 at 9:27pm
	If anyone is interested, here is picture of the Y-cable kit I bought from Amazon. Edited by MnMRhoades - 12 Apr 2026 at 9:36pm
	M Rhoades

gpokluda Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 11 Nov 2018 Location: East Idaho Online Status: Offline Posts: 471	Post Options Post Reply Quote gpokluda Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 12 Apr 2026 at 9:40pm
	Nice job. Well done.
	Gpokluda 2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023) 2022 Escape 5.0TA 2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB Honda SCL500

MnMRhoades Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 22 Mar 2026 Location: Colorado Spring Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Post Options Post Reply Quote MnMRhoades Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 12 Apr 2026 at 9:44pm
	Thank you.
	M Rhoades

JR Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 31 Aug 2018 Location: Manistee, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 404	Post Options Post Reply Quote JR Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 13 Apr 2026 at 11:01am
	Good job, it will serve you well in your travels. Jay
	Jay 179/2019