possibly installing a 'free' 3-way fridge... ? would you?

[ScouterMom]

I have a lucky opportunity - a friend of ours got an old camper for free that he's tearing apart for a utility trailer.  He says the dometic/ propane fridge in it is working, and if I want it, I can have it for nothing.  (along with any other camper parts I could use)  

I bought an electric 2.5 cubic foot 'dorm fridge' for the camper to use at electric hook up sites, but we don't always get sites with electric, and I haven't actually gotten it into the camper yet - we've been using it for drinks in the garage - gotta stay hydrated while working on the camper  :!

I already have a dual propane tank setup; with a 3 burner inside stove and furnace.  The stove works and the tanks, regulator, and lines to the system have been recently replacd with new ones. (the line under the camper to the stove and furnace are the originals) We've used the stove, (works like new) but have not yet cleaned and tested the furnace, tho it appears to be in good shape.  The original 12v converter is in place, as is the original electrical system, but the camper never had a refridgerator or battery set up in it.  It has a front opening "ice box" which we have not used.  It looks clean and workable, but it is under the stove/ sink cabinet in an awkward location, and my coolers keep colder, anyway.  

I would probably install the 'fridge in the cooler's spot (close to the stove's gas lines, or next to the furnace - both locations are close to the axel of the camper.) As this point, I don't even know what size this fridge is.  I have a 'tall' camper body box, so it should fit.

So what do you folks think?  is it worth trying to install this 'free' fridge?
Is it something a do-it-yourselfer can do without too much headache?

So what materials & skills do I need to have/ get to install it in my '73 Starmaster 6?

Other questions -
since I've never had this type of 'fridge before... they DO work on an electric hook up, too, don't they?  That's probably how I would use it most often.

can I hook it up to ONLY run on electric? and NOT hook up the gas & battery unless I need to?

Also, how long will one run on a tank of propane in, say, 80 -90 degree temps?

I'll probably have more questions after I've seen the fridge itself....

thanks!

Laura

[AustinBoston]

IF the fridge works, AND I were doing significant amounts of dry camping, then I would go for the 3-way fridge.

If most or all of our camping were at powered sites, I would skip the 3-way and just use a dorm fridge.

Austin

[wavery]

If you get the fridge, don't forget to get the outside access doors (and framing , if possible).

It will be quite a project. It's not just a matter of taking the ice box out and putting in the fridge, wiring & gas hook-up. You will also have to cut quite a large hole in the outside of the camper for the access panels. That will all have to be framed in.

[austinado16]

I'd say go for it, especially if you want to dry camp more often.  My local RV place they'll run about a month, non-stop, on a 20lb tank of propane.  It's just a little pilot type of flame, so it doesn't use much gas at all.

You guys are skilled enough to install it and it'll be simple. It'll have it's own 120v extention cord, so that's nothing to worry about.  It's 12v power is easy, just 2 wires going up to the tongue.....one to ground on the frame and one to the 12v power output of your TV's 7pin connector.  The propane connection is equally easy.  You'll just "T" into the main line under the camper and run a line up to the fridge.  No big deal.

As mentioned above, get the 2 louvered panels...the top one is simply screwed in place.  The bottom one is a door. Get the guy to cut you out that whole side section of the camper so you can take the wood and metal framework to put on yours. Get all the insulation too.

They're $450 new on ebay plus $50 to ship, and about half of that for a used one.......so grab it!

[ScouterMom]

Glad I asked!

I never even thought about access doors and outside vent panels!  I'm going to make sure we can get those, too!

Heck, I can probably see if there is connections or anything else  usable.  If they're just going to use the trailer for utility, then all they want  of it will be the box, frame and lights, pretty much.

laura

[jerkin]

No way I would pass up that fridge even if I wasn't sure I would install it. I would also take the converter, furnace if it has one, sink faucet if it's in good shape, and the propane regulator at a minimum. But I'm a pack rat.

[austinado16]

No way I would pass up that fridge even if I wasn't sure I would install it. I would also take the converter, furnace if it has one, sink faucet if it's in good shape, and the propane regulator at a minimum. But I'm a pack rat.

Ha......Jerkin, you sound like me!  I grabbed an '83 starcraft 19' Starflyer a couple months ago.  It was totalled due to the huge amount of roof and floor rot.  But, perfect stove, dinette, cushions, convertor, door, fridge, faucet, ceiling lights.  Then I cut the whole thing off the frame and now have a fantastic utility trailer.

Scoutermom, run over there and disco the thing yourself. That way you can get all 12v wiring, all the copper propane piping, the 2 louvered covers, and the framework that's in the skin of the camper.  Take you all of 20min.