How To Perform RV Refrigerator Maintenance & Care
Your RV refrigerator is more than just an appliance—it’s essential to keeping your food fresh and your road trip on track. Here at Noteboom RV, serving Sioux Falls, SD and Sioux City, IA, we’ve helped thousands of RV owners maintain and repair their fridges—whether in travel trailers, fifth wheels, or motorhomes. Below are expert tips to help you keep your RV fridge running efficiently and avoid costly repairs.
Why Regular RV Fridge Maintenance Is Important
Prevents food spoilage and costly repairs
Improves energy efficiency and power consumption
Extends the life of cooling components
Avoids leaks, odor buildup, and damage to cabinetry
Prep Your Fridge for Travel
Preparing your fridge is easy and involves a few steps that can be part of your pre-trip RV maintenance and packing to-do list. It’ll help avoid any problems down the line so it’s worth the effort. First, quickly inspect your fridge, looking for any signs of damage or concern. If you think your fridge is making strange sounds, get it inspected by a professional before you hit the road. Also inspect the door seals for cracks or gaps, verify that the vent panels on the outside are clear of debris or insects, and check the stove pilot/burner (for gas-powered fridges) for soot or obstructions. Review manufacturer specs to see if the cooling unit’s leveling tolerance is within range.
Before you load up your RV fridge with food, consider pre-cooling it for about eight to ten hours. This helps ensure that the food won’t fluctuate in temperature. You’ll also want to load food that’s already at the proper temperature.
Post-Trip Defrosting
If you plan to leave your RV sitting in storage for a while after your trip, it’s a good idea to defrost your fridge the same way you do for your fridge at home. Even if you plan to store it for a few weeks, it makes no sense to pay the electricity bill for an appliance you aren’t using. You should periodically defrost your fridge even if you’re not stopping using it as this helps boost performance and extends its life. Keep in mind that there will be a lot of water as a result of defrosting. Have a way to catch or absorb that liquid or you’ll end up with water damage. Ensure you take this RV service step after every trip.
In addition to defrosting, leave the refrigerator door propped open slightly with a small towel or vent card to allow air circulation and reduce mold or mildew. Be sure the drip tray is clean and the drain is clear. If your RV is winterized, remove all food and run the fridge dry before storing.
General Safety Tips
There are some safety issues that you should be aware of, so you can spot them and handle them if a problem occurs. For example, if you smell ammonia, there’s a leak in the fridge. Turn the fridge off and then open it up to air it out. Also open the windows and vents of your RV to air it out. This is because not only can ammonia ruin the inside of your fridge, but the fumes can be dangerous to you and your loved ones. Keep the refrigerator off if you’re on a trip and make a service appointment right away to get it fixed.
For absorption-type RV refrigerators (gas/electric models), make sure the vent flue is unobstructed and clean. If you smell gas or detect propane odors, turn off the fridge, open windows, check connections, and schedule service. Also inspect the 12V/DC fuse or breaker associated with the refrigerator circuit periodically. If the cooling unit runs but never gets cold, the issue may be a failed cooling unit or low refrigerant gas (usually requiring professional repair).
Before you start your fridge RV maintenance, remove any flammable items. For some repairs, like cleaning out the vent, you’ll need to work on the roof, so ensure that the ladder is held securely in place and that you have a spotter on the ground.
One final piece of advice we can give you is to be smart about working on your fridge. Many people prefer to just clean it out every once in a while, but some like to get their hands dirty and work on the appliance themselves. If you want to try this, we highly recommend consulting your owner’s manual first to give more information.
Monthly RV Fridge Maintenance Checklist
Clean interior surfaces and door gaskets
Check and clear vent and flue covers
Inspect door seals and latches
Check 12V fuses / breakers
Defrost when needed
Run in “electric only” mode occasionally to cycle compressor
Monitor temperature and seek repair if fridge fails to cool
If you’d rather leave the work to professionals, schedule RV refrigerator service at Noteboom RV’s Harrisburg, SD location. Our service and parts teams can repair cooling units, replace door seals, upgrade ventilation, and ensure your fridge is ready for your next adventure. Book your appointment online or call us today—serving RV owners from Sioux Falls, Sioux City, and throughout the region.