Replacing Larger Items Inside The Trailer

[Cathy P.]

Donna D. just brought up something " Casita changed the rear window starting in model year 2003, because that's the only way to replace the refrigerator" in another thread about putting in a shower and I got to wondering, quickly, how many items might be difficult to replace inside a tiny trailer and which trailers would be a better bet in not having to take out a window, etc. We just moved into an old house where we had to disassemble the queen bed frames to get them upstairs because of the bend on the way up the stairs. It was not a pleasant venture and neither was getting the washer and dryer to the basement with a similar bend. Looking to make my life simpler.

[Hambone]

isnt just small trailers most trailers, motorhomes to replace refrigerator, it goes out a window

[Francesca Knowles]

This is a new one on me....

I'm pretty sure the fridge in my Trillium would go out through the trailer door...one might have to take the fridge door off to do it, though.

Unless the trailer itself was built around the fridge, there's no other way for it to have been installed in the first place.

Francesca

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Francesca Knowles

I'm pretty sure the fridge in my Trillium would go out through the trailer door...one might have to take the fridge door off to do it, though.

Unless the trailer itself was built around the fridge, there's no other way for it to have been installed in the first place.

... except through a window.

Most "conventional" trailer bodies are built around the cabinets, appliances, and even some furniture. Our eggs - as well as moulded truck campers, Airstream trailers, Class B motorhomes, and bus conversions - require everything to come in a door, window, or other opening (e.g. slide space, before the slide is installed). Airstream owners have claimed that's an advantage for maintenance, since appliances will all fit through the door.

I've heard of motorhome owners having the windshield removed to change the refrigerator... and they still need something like a forklift to get the thing through the opening laying on its back. My conventional fifth-wheel has a big sofa: if I need to replace it, I intend to remove it by cutting it into pieces first!

[Francesca Knowles]

There isn't a window in my Trillium that's bigger/wider than the door.

Francesca

[Donna D.]

I think the refrigerator is the largest item that would need to be replace. Most of the cabinetry isn't square but can be rotated out the door.

If you own a Casita and are interested in the changes... by model year... to Casitas, see the CasitaForum excellent doumentation here (that's where I got the info about the rear window and the 2003 model year): http://www.casitaforum.com/invboard/...ctory-changes/

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Francesca Knowles

There isn't a window in my Trillium that's bigger/wider than the door.

I can see that - it might be true of my Boler as well, but I have not measured to compare the door width to window height.

[Glenn Baglo]

You just buy a dehydrator and put the refrigerator in it. Plug it into your generator ( solar can't provide enough power ). And when you've removed the moisture, just punt it out the door. Easy.

[David Tilston]

I went and measured it.
On a 1978 Trillium 4500:
The door is 23" wide.
The opening for the windows is 22" high.
The fridge is 21" wide and 22" deep with the door, and 20" deep without.

Plenty of room.

[Steve Hammel]

I had this problem not to long ago. I bought my Scamp 19' last summer and the fridge was working sporadically. Instead of messing around with the "little" stock fridge I decided to upgrade to a larger new fridge. I looked online and found a great deal approx $550 + shipping for a new Norcold N400 series 4.5 cu ft fridge. My previous stick built trailer had a 6.0 fridge and I must admit I loved the larger eye level fridge. I measured everything on the Scamp and knew going in I was at least an inch short going through the door and a few inches through any window. My original plan was to trim 3/4 of an inch off either side of the door from the floor up 25 inches, slide the fridge in, and then fiberglass the section I cut back on and it would be hidden under the rubber door seal. Then I was looking for a 24x24 window when someone else suggested I could have raised the Scamp, dropped the grey water tank, and cut through the floor to bring it in unnoticed that way.

Before I had a chance to modify anything I ended up coming across a small 12v fridge and I'm going that direction instead and it fits through the door with ease.

All this being said I am very cheap. There are several fridges out there in larger sizes with dimensions that will go through a 22 1/2 inch door. The best way to stay out of this problem is to purchase something that fits in the first place. Dometic makes a beautiful Euro style fridge that is 6.5 cu ft but only 21 inches wide.

[Steve Hammel]

Originally Posted by David Tilston

I went and measured it.
On a 1978 Trillium 4500:
The door is 23" wide.
The opening for the windows is 22" high.
The fridge is 21" wide and 22" deep with the door, and 20" deep without.

Plenty of room.

Yes, small fridges aren't the problem. It's only when you want to upgrade to larger appliances that aren't designed to fit that it becomes a problem LOL!

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by Steve Hammel

Yes, small fridges aren't the problem. It's only when you want to upgrade to larger appliances that aren't designed to fit that it becomes a problem LOL!

Well, sure...but I think what brought the subject up was someone saying that originally supplied fridges wouldn't fit through some trailer doors.

Might be true in some cases, but not in the case of early Trilliums- whew!

Francesca

[freddo411]

I replaced the fridge in my Trill. It fit through the door.

[Cathy P.]

OK, thanks! That doesn't sound so bad but would be something I would think about in making a choice. So many things to think about.

[Pam Garlow]

Cathy, You'll find that most things you worrry about won't happen. You'll get your little camper and enjoy the heck out of it camping... and nothing will happen except you'll have a lot of fun. Right now, you don't have one so you are spending a lot of time thinking about possibilities. Think about all the GREAT things you're going to do, because these little rigs are pretty much wash and wear. Keep on searching! Your camper is out there

[Donna D.]

Besides that, who says you even "need" a refrigerator, etc.? Lots of folks get by with ice boxes and coolers. It's not what you own, but what you do with it and where you go! MAKE MEMORIES

[Pam Garlow]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Besides that, who says you even "need" a refrigerator, etc.? Lots of folks get by with ice boxes and coolers. It's not what you own, but what you do with it and where you go! MAKE MEMORIES

That's so true, Donna. I don't have a fridge (don't want one). No ac, manage just fine with a fan. Keeping my camping simple (except for my awsome glamping stuff LOL). I tow it to camp and settle down with a good book and the dog in my lap.... heavenly.

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Pam Garlow

.... I tow it to camp and settle down with a good book and the dog in my lap.... heavenly.

I hope everyone has gotten long past of "Keeping up with the Joneses."

Life is all about YOU... and not about US.

[RLP]

There are worse things.

[Cathy P.]

Originally Posted by RLP

There are worse things.

Actually, this one would fit in our garage! All others would be too large since our garage was built in 1929.
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