The MS is dead.

[RustyJC]

Sandy and I are really sorry to hear about the loss of your RE3. I hope the insurance settlement goes smoothly and quickly.

We have one of the Dometic units on the recall list. The bad news is that we went out this morning to hitch up and head for Austin and found the fridge and freezer warm and everything in it ruined. The good news is that it was running on 120VAC and the 5th wheel didn't burn.

I tried running it on propane, but still no cooling - apparently it has lost its charge. We have an appointment with our selling dealer to bring the 5th wheel in on May 8th. It'll be interesting to see what Dometic does about replacing the cooling unit at no charge if it's cracked.

Rusty

[2 DA WDS]

The Insurance Adjuster and Engineer are pretty sure that the Fridge started the fire and have notified Dometic. Dometic is sending an inspector. I have decided that we will not run the Fridge on the new unit on anythin but electric. Cant hurt and will feel safer.

[hitchup]

Originally Posted by 2 DA WDS

I have decided that we will not run the Fridge on the new unit on anythin but electric. Cant hurt and will feel safer.

Difference between keeping your Suite safe & losing a few dollars worth of food. Wise choice.

So everyone's now curious about the replacement: New or Used

[RustyJC]

Originally Posted by RustyJC

We have one of the Dometic units on the recall list. The bad news is that we went out this morning to hitch up and head for Austin and found the fridge and freezer warm and everything in it ruined. The good news is that it was running on 120VAC and the 5th wheel didn't burn.

Actually, this is in question. Although our model number is indeed on the recall list, our serial number (405XXXXX) is higher than any shown on the lists I've seen. Nevertheless, our dealer checked with Dometic who said that it was covered by the recall. This should be interesting! My point is that even the newer fridges appear to have problems - we'll await the diagnosis to see if the cooling unit has a cracked boiler and/or tube and dumped its charge.

Rusty

[2 DA WDS]

Hitchup,
Used, Pre Owned, Previosly Loved, Road Tested, New to US. Had some good offers from dealers on new ones but this one caught our eye indirectly because of Bonnie.

2005 Doubletree MobileSuite RE3 w/3 Slides
Description: Luxury suite in excellent condition, 3 slide-outs w/toppers, 16' Weather Pro automatic awning w/weather sensor, 2 leather recliners, hide-a-bed sofa w/end tables, 2 TV's DVD VCR AM/FM surround sound, golden plum color, corian countertops, GE convection/microwave, 12cu.ft.refer w/icemaker, 2 AC's w/heat pump, lighted pantries, 12gal.dsi/elec.water heater, coffee maker, central vac, fireplace, king pillow-top bed w/elec.lift, shower skylight, blow-dryer, day-night shades, washer/dryer combo hookups, built-in clothes hamper, ceiling fan. MUST SEE! 5yr extended warranty & financing available.

[MattM]

Originally Posted by jdwilson3

Okie (and others) Remove the outside panel to the 'fridge. Look to the left side (usually) and you should see some tin shields installed. That is what is being added in the recall. The earlier units did not have the shields. This was pointed out to me by a Certified RV Tech.

JD,

Any chance you could post some pictures of these just so I'm clear on what I am looking at or for?

Thanks
Matt M

[jdwilson3]

I can try, but I will confess, I really am terrible at getting pictures from my camera and resizing them so they are not 7 million megabits!!

I will try to describe in words, then go try the pix.

1. Remove the outside vent panel.
2. Depending of the model: Look to the left or right, and there will be what looks like a galvanized flue, and some galvanized covers at the bottom area of the flue.
3. There will also be a wired temperature sensor in the "flue".

If you don't have this "stuff", then you need the recall.

I will try to get the pix out in a few minutes!

[Okie]

Tom,
It sounds like you are talking about my unit, didn't mention the generator but sorry it's not for sale. By the way did you check to see if you could get the upside down fish finder for the roof?

Okie

[2 DA WDS]

Okie, close, its unit #1646
BTW whats an upside down fish finder?

[Mogolfers]

I'm just glad you found one and you are on your way to the rally! :P

[Okie]

That fish sinder was what you were looking for to detect low branches and such from the roof of the unit so you wouldn't hit them. Remember?

Okie

[2 DA WDS]

AHA, the back up sensors to put on the roof.

We have Linear Waterfoul and are ready to head to New Jersey tomorrow.

[jdwilson3]

Here are before and afer pix of the recall.....

These were taken in an Alpenlite 5er. But, you get the idea.

[Motor31]

Hey Top,

The second picture matches what I have on my later build unit's fridge. The photo makes the mod pretty obvious. Thanks.

[billr]

OK, I have a question, the fridge the dealer just installed in our trailer, which has a date code of 25th week 2005 ( was to be a new fridge, not)

Looks just like the first picture in the previous post, not the one with the large sheet metal cover??

Is anyone else have a later year fridge that looks like the first pic?

Bill

[bstark]

Bill:

Just got the recall letter from Dometic in the mail today and it gave the model and serial number info (also available at www.dometicusa.com )along with instructions on how to turn off the gas flow to fridge right at the valve in the event the fridge is in the recall list. The top photo shows a small slotted head adjustment screw on the body of the gas valve (valve is hidden behind sheet metal mod in second photo) and the slot is currently in line with the gas flow which is ON. Turning that screw 90 degrees so that the slot is perpendicular shuts OFF the gas flow. They caution to do this if your fridge is one of the affected series in the unlikely event that "someone" may inadvertantly turn the fridge on by mistake.

Ours looks just like the top photo (prior to mods) but is also NOT in the categories listed. I guess we could do the mod ourselves to be doubly sure that a meltdown wouldn't set fire to the plastic outer access door.

[billr]

Thanks Bruce. I also checked on the Dometic recall website with the Model/S/N and it said not affected too.

That makes me wonder if our fridges aren't affected, why don't we have the shroud? I agree, one would be easy to fabricate, would just need to see one in person to sort it out.

Cheers,
Bill

[bstark]

Bill:
The damn things are distributed out of Cambridge On. just down the road from us. I'm thinking to call over there to see if they may sell the kit over the counter. I may use the "embarrasment factor" tool to counter any of that usual "sorry we only wholesale to dealers" crap.

[47hook]

Here's a perfect case of "DT QC". They mistakenly bought frigs from one of the world's largest manufacturer's of RV fridges.

This just fits in with another of my posts. Basically, stuff happens. If it happens too often, the folks that make it happen will be gone, gone, gone! (Dometic)

By the way, we need an Emoticon that is "tongue in cheek"!

[47hook]

For the record, I'd much rather be associated with a bunch of folks that speak their minds then ignore stuff. I've got enuff stuff I ignore in my garage!!! Wants some?