Scamp Fridge Removal Ideas

[summer scamp]

Fridge is heavy and taking up space we need, we have yet to use it, and we prefer a cooler anyway....

anyone have pics/ideas of a fridge removal and what they built in its place for storage? Thanks...... 37 days til spring!

[Timber Wolf]

I pulled the non-functioning 3-Way fridge out of my Scamp and installed a 120V "Dorm" frdge I already had in the hole. Had to close things in a little and trim it out but it looks nice and I did gain space under and behind although I leave it pretty open for air flow around the back of the fridge since I closed the front off. We currently mostly camp in State Parks with hookups or go for long weekends and use a cooler so the 120V only has not been a problem. I intend to someday (maybe later this year) install a 12V fridge and get my solar up and running, but that is another day. Good luck,

[Jon in AZ]

Does it work?

[summer scamp]

If you are asking me... It gets nice and cold when plugged in/on generator. Don't think I ever tried popane but it drained the battery two times so we went to cooler anyway. We have a generator but prefer to not use it unless necessary and prefer to boondock it anyway.
The SO didn't trust it enough to be reliable..... And wants clothes storage.... Clothes win every time

But I did keep a few things cold in there while I was rehabbin her

[Donna D.]

Can't help. The 3-way (which is original) in my 1988 Scamp still works well and I love it!

What's wrong with yours? Does it work at all? Electric only or propane only or not at all? When you tried was the trailer LEVEL? How long do you wait for it to cool down?

[Raz]

Originally Posted by summer scamp

If you are asking me... It gets nice and cold when plugged in/on generator. Don't think I ever tried popane but it drained the battery two times so we went to cooler anyway. We have a generator but prefer to not use it unless necessary and prefer to boondock it anyway.
The SO didn't trust it enough to be reliable..... And wants clothes storage.... Clothes win every time

But I did keep a few things cold in there while I was rehabbin her

It seems a shame to remove a working fridge. From your post I don't think you understand when to use each option. Obviously AC is when you have electric hookups available. Propane is used when camping without hook ups. The flame looks like a pilot light and as such it will run a very long time on one tank. The DC option is only for use when traveling. Many folks do not use it because it takes away from charging your trailer battery.

Like Donna, I love my 3 way fridge. I would suggest you get someone with some experience to give you a run-through. You might change your mind.

If you still want to remove it, you will need to safely deal with the gas line and the electrical connections. Actual removal involves a few screws. Once they are gone the fridge will slide into the trailer and in most cases, out the door. Finally you will have the vent holes to deal with. There is most likely an installation manual in the document center. If not, try the manufacturer's (Dometic?) web site. A new three way fridge, installed, is upwards of $1000. Selling a used one, a few hundred tops. Then there's the hit on the resale value...... I suspect most folks here will suggest you give it a try first. Take care, Raz

[summer scamp]

Ya, I figured that would be most of the advice - to not remove it. But we've talked about it a ton.... used it the first 2 days of our 20 day road trip last year but haven't touched it since (even when we have plugged in) - and resale really doesn't matter to us since Carmen will be with us for the foreseeable future so we need to make her work for us.
I guess I'll post some pics once I design and build storage there... I've tried every search I can think of and can't find any pics of anyone building something in its spot. Thanks

[R. Wade]

Took out the old (92 ) 3-way, gave it away to a nice couple in Canada, we replaced it with an Ice-box from Scamp, used it that way for a few years, but as we travel-we tinker and now the ice box is a cool food storage box, and we fit a cooler in the back of the pick-up truck, add ice every few days or so. Cold ddrinks have their own cooler, but we buy cold drinks on the road. Actually short term canping here in Montana is all abopuit cool nights or staying at the lake or Forest service spots, not so hot as other parts of America, Set up the chairs and read a book ! Wade

[Martins HeirCon]

I'm not familiar with your Scamp, but I bet it's similar to my Trillium: when I replaced the fridge, the new one was smaller overall than what was removed. What I did was to build a plywood box the same size as the old unit, then glassed it in place. That shrunk the hole just enough to slide the new unit in.

Sorry, some of that ain't relevant, but what I mean to say is slide out your fridge, build a plywood cube of matching dimensions, and simply put it back in the same hole. Add a door and some shelves, you're in business.

With some forethought, and safely dealing with the disconnected gas line and wiring, the mod would also be easily reversible should you decide to resell. Just clean up the old fridge, pack it up and store it.


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[Martins HeirCon]

Sorry, I can't figure out how to point you to the thread, but here's a screenshot from page 8




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[summer scamp]

The box idea was definitely one rolling around in my head. Thanks for the pic!
..... how did you deal with the opening to the outside that is behind that box (assuming there is an exterior access panel on yours???)

[Martins HeirCon]

My box doesn't have a back, it goes straight thru to the outside wall and is fiberglassed to the outside wall of the shell. Because there is combustion happening at the rear of the fridge, it must be isolated from the living space. (That panel you see inside the box in the above pic was just a plug to keep it square during installation)

If you build the box the same depth as the fridge, and include a back panel, it should come right to the outside vent and access covers. Just seal and paint the outside end of your box for exterior exposure and leave the outside panels as they are (covering the holes and your new cabinet). From outside the camper you won't be able to see any modifications.


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[Filbert V.]

We removed ours also. It was rusty and stinky. We use the space for a porta-potty now which at our age is much more of a necessity than cold beers! We constructed a door out of 2X2's, faced it with plywood, and then glued a mirror to it! Now we just use a large Igloo cooler in place of the fridge. Also removed the old stove top and replaced it with a wooden cutting board held in place by Velcro strips. Adds counter space, and we do all of our cooking outdoors now

[summer scamp]

Thanks for the info! Happen to have a pic?

[Filbert V.]

Yes, if you go tot he top where it says GALLERY, then scroll down to VIEW MORE, and then down to Tote N Tarry, you'll see a photo of our trailer where we removed the fridge and placed the porta-potty inside. I think this was before we constructed the door. If you can't find it, then I'll try to make a copy and attach it to a message here.

[Filbert V.]

As you can see, once you remove the fridge, there is a lot of room for storage or anything else you can think of. This was before the door and port hole additions. Filbert

[summer scamp]

Yep, I'll have a bit more room since fridge is not under stove - it's next to it. ( and sink is on opposite side). Probably come up with some sort of shelving and some sort of storage accessed by refrigerator vents.


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[summer scamp]

Well finally got her back in the garage to prep for summer and here's where the fridge stands:


I was amazed how easy it disconnected and slipped out!

Left with this:


Sealed up old fridge vents and put insulation board up:


Designed and built storage that would also have storage for that awkward skinny door next to the fridge hole:




Built it in two pieces- the bottom 'tray' box slipped in and sits at the same height as the wheel well so the box and shelves above it sit level.

Just need to trim it all out, add shelf lips, and add a bungee across the openings..... The SO gets her more storage and I was even able to recycle the working fridge to a forum member.... Good deal all around


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[summer scamp]

..... And 'the new guy' already loves helping out.... Sorta


Scout. 3.5 months (silver lab)


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[Steve in NY]

That looks sweet and that extra storage will come in handy. I just put a new fridge in as the old one was not working. What a job! I thought about the simplicity of a good cooler, but a lot of the places we go ice isn't easily available. I like going off grid, and with a tank of propane, getting ice is a thing of the past. the mew fridge doesn't make ice, but we've pretty much learned to like drinking cold water (and an occasional cold beer or glass of wine) instead of just about anything else.

I really like the look of that floor!

Take Care,
Steve