Replacing Amana side by side in 2001 coach

[leskorcala@hotmail.com]

Well, I have another complex situation with the fridge going dead on us!

One day just stopped cooling! lights on, water , compressor! cleaned coils etc. nada... called good repair man , he checked and gave me honest solution: freon is leaking somwhere and needs to be service , not many places do it now, if they do cost replacing seald system & finding leak in the line cost from 800-1000$ and if we fix it ( 10 years old ) we might get by 1-2 years !

So, I eliminated this and want to upgrade and replace new fridge1 and have happy wife!

Problem is that our dimensions are not standard for house hold . we had amana side by side and want to get same configuration.

My fitting space is 66" & change height, 27" depth & 36" width.
I know I will remove the front door and save about 2+ inches! but still need some more room!

We could perhaps mod the wood molding above , but door is the problem ! looks like only 23-24" max width!

is nayone knows how to remove the raound molding , covers the air door black arm? I could get another 1-2" if I did that!

Now, comes the hard part how do you move it all in, staircase etc. do you build slide board?
Just wanted to get some tips from anyone who deal with new fridge replacement!

We got 12' of snow in one day ! went out on the roof today and clear all haevy snow from it ! so glad i was able to do it ! I will sleep better now!

Thank you for all your help and tips so far, with out thsi forum , not sure how I could cope with the small problems, I know Newell is always there for us! but some custome work owners done are somhow diferent that waht Newell do!

[truk4u]

I feel your pain, had to do the job on my Prevost and it all went pretty well, but lot's of work. A GE cabinet depth frig worked best for me and the dimensions were very close to the old Amana. Couldn't have done it without strong young sons.:tongue:

1371

[tuga]

I've seen this done at Newell; on newer coaches 1997 and newer. They remove a side window and use a forklift to remove/install a new refrigerator.

I had a 1993 Newell and we switched out refrigerators in about an hour. My stairwell was straight on. So all we had to do was removed the doors from the old Amana and walk it out thru the entrance door. Same thing with putting in the new one.

Life was much simpler then.

In my current 1999 Newell I have the curved stairway; so when the time comes to change Amanas I will do like Newell does and remove the side window.

[Richard and Rhonda]

Les,

You want to look for a counter depth fridge. They are sized differently. They also cost more, hah. Less fridge for more money. I would carefully measure the dimensions of the fridge without the doors and see if will fit through the door if turned sideways.

[leskorcala@hotmail.com]

Thank you for your help!
We having all kinds of problems now with the Ice Storm in our area ! lost power 3 days ago and might go for another 5 days 1 than huge floods in the valley!
We lost the power at the storage so the coach is running non stop on the generator for past 3 days keeping 50F
Big 120' pine fell on our house damaging the roof , lost tons of trees just big mess in wrong time!

Richard , thanks you and others for the tips and help! since our entire town is with out power we made trip to bigger city and check some fridge and you are right the cunter depth is the way to go! I called newell and they said : remove the screen door you will save about 2 " ( I was going to do this first ) I wish I could remove the big round molding around the air main dooor black arm , but they said not to!

We loved the amana configuration side by side ( when comes to spending that 3000$ you want at list somthing what would work for you!

So far looks like Sears carry some good fitting brands S by S Samsung, FrigidAire and one more! biggest problem is the haight ! we need 69" or under , most of them are 70" + and the depth ! in my 2001 small mod can be made at the bottom 7" space between floor where our central vac is located but it would save very litlle space!
Newell said dont mess with the top section, you dont want to cut any cabinetry there since you will loose structure strenght there!


I do have huge favor to ask you!

Okay so I have removed the door section ( right one ) left one ( freezer part ) at the botoom corner water hose is attched to the door ! I need to remove it as well as the main water hose in the back of it!

I can not find the shot off valve ? I look in the bay area where all the utilty valves are but none of them say Fridge ? on/off
Is any of you would know where else to look for?

I dont want to flood my coach not cutting the water off! I want to try to remove the old fridge out and getting as much out of it ,

And, yes only way to remove is to turn side ways ( depth ) and move it that way!

Also I was thinking , perhaps if I did remove the wheels from under, I could save aother 1" or so of height!

istr so crussial to get the height and depth right otherwise wonts fit!


I messured the depth the other day with out the pulling it out! and came to my surprise like standard depth , I could not belive my eyes , so happy did not thsink the old one was all the way in! i pulled out and the Generator big 6" pipe is running up to the roof right in the center part of the fridge ! so yes, its will only fit say 24" depth fridge with out the doors !
And that is cunter depth style fridge!

If i can find the shut off water for thet fridge I will be one step forward!


Thank you for any help you might have!

By May we should be on the road for few years, but I have to clear all the damages from thsi ice storm !


Best,
Les

2001 Newell #582

[wanderlodgeguy]

I would recommend this fridge,
http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/samsung-samsung-18-cu-ft-french-door-refrigerator-rf195acwp-white-rf195acwp/10141503.aspx?path=7b5d5540ddeb134b91afe79b9e337c4 6en02
Very energy effecient.
On my Wanderlodge they took the water for the ice maker from the bathroom sink, cold water line. They used a 1/4" plastic line. There is a shut off at the bathroom sink.
Hope this helps.

[folivier]

If you're not living in it at the moment, if you are disconnected from city water and turn off your water pump(s) then open up a couple faucets to relieve pressure then you should only get a little bit of water that is in the hose to the icemaker when you disconnect it.

[Richard and Rhonda]

Les,

If you pull the bottom vent away, you will see that there are four hex bolts that actually raise the wheels up and down on the Amana. In our use, there are actually raised to secure the fridge in the opening. You will find a cross bar above the fridge. The wheels are lowered (which raises the fridge) until the top of the fridge is wedged against that cross bar.

Look in your water bay. There should be a row of valves that control water flow to individual circuits. I bet one of them is for the fridge, if not one for the fridge, then use the one for the purified water circuit because it feeds the ice maker. Of course you can test it to make sure you have isolated the correct one. It might take a few seconds to relieve the pressure.

[lbrachfe]

the simple method if you cant locate the source is pinch the plastic inlet line off when you pull out the frig by inserting a small bolt and using a screw clamp. We have a shut off valve on ours that looks like a small t bar which was at the floor where the pipe comes up from the floor. When we had the frig out to replace our washers waste water pipe I go a chance to observe what was there under the goobs of lint and dust that accumulated. I should have taken photos to post as Tom reminded me of with my plumbing rebuild, but I got caught up in doing things and just didn't get to it. I have seen frigs go through windshields and salon windows and the occassional entry door.

[encantotom]

i looked today and i believe for the fridge it is the one that says filtered water.

tom

[leskorcala@hotmail.com]

Thank you guys for all your help you are "Golden"
I did went back to my coach and turned off Generator after 3 days of non stop running due to the power loss ! Thank God out ice storm is over and we just got the power back!

I looked in the bay where all the valves are and Yes, I did same thing as Tom sugested and turned of one of the two filters ( at teh head of them there is valve with Filtered water ) still have to plug the fridge back in the wall and check if the water is shot off ! There are also 3-4 big valves in yellow and blue hendles for some water to the coach ! will check them out with my wife !

We did go shop for the new fridge and found 14 models ( diferent makers ) of teh cabinet depth style fridge! French door was eliminated beclues the height of it ! My wife is very picky what she wants , how many this and that , so she checked every detail and sizing to replace our Amana S by S.

We went with FridgeAire brand , very nice Side by side with some exelent futures its was on sale for total of 2,400$ included 3 years extended w. also this brand offers 10 years on parts W. and teh sizing of 68,5" X 35,5"X 24" depth! its spot on as our Amana!

Thsi local store offer free delivery and pick up of old one! Sears wanted 754 and $10 for pick up and thsi place cherged 5 Years extended W $175 versus Sears $525 and this model was cheaper by $400 and thsi was from one smaller store ! go figure!!!

Thsi Model was on sale $900 OFF since is 2010 model.

Well , now I have to take out the screen door to shave another 2" before they make delivery!

That screen door is tricky to take out ! there is several super small bolts at the top rail trim!
We have mid coach entry with straight steps so might be easier to move it all in!

[leskorcala@hotmail.com]

Sorry for making mistake about teh brand maker of teh new fridge we bought! it was KitchenAid not FridgeAire ! not sure where I got that name ! ha-ha! Anyway, wanted to buy Bosh or JennAir, the last one was what Newell service people sugested , but both of them sizing was off !


Les

[leskorcala@hotmail.com]

Its been up & down rollercoaster January here in pacific Northwest!

On the top of our Ice storm 5 days with out electricity! the city of 5000 was totally paralyzed , dark scary looking ! you would drive to the next bigger city of Issaquah to get some gas and just get warmed up at the Starbucks and its looked like different planet! lights everywhere! people on the streets! all stores had lights and open.

We tried to get out motor home ready for upcoming travels to the events and fined out or Fridge stopped working ! After repair man said replacing cooling sealed system would cost 1200 $ and might get another 2-3 years out of it! So we decided to buy new one !

Problem was to get fit new one and take old one out! My God , I worked like hell on it! took out screen door just to get another 2" of space ! so we can fit it sideways trough the main entry door! out of 14 models of cabinet depth household type , we found one with same size and only down to less then quarter inch! I could not sleep well thinking of it! what if the deliver and wont fit! we measured with Cheryl every part of it several times!

So we picked up KitchenAId nice one on sale $900 off lat years model , still 2500$ Ouch ! but we had no choice ! No other models would fit! Delivery truck came early! only to tell us after see the RV storage place : they can not put in to RV , its against the store policy! ****! we paid for is and mentioned to the sells person , even on the invoice said deliver to the RV, Well After call the store manager! They bend the rule for us and its was Go!

Okay! Great! No comes the funny part! I noticed that one of the guys is kinda chunky! about solid 300lbs , I am thinking how the hell he will fit in the door entry ? They put their straps on and started to move it up 3 stairs, it got so tight close, that I grabbed some grease (i had ready ) and just smeared on both length sides to glide better or would ripped nice wood trim out of the entry! he managed to make trough, I actually pushed him while walking upstairs! now I grabbed 7" platform and stocked under to slide it to the area we would later fit in!

They did fantastic job not damaging anything, I gave them $80 tip it was bugger to get it in! in the door we had no room to spare, side ways than turned around and put on the platform I build of 4x6" wood because she sits 7" above the ground ( under we have central vac ) Man, it was mess!

Problem I have now that since its on wheels and not supported , if I took sharp turn while driving , it could perhaps fall out trough the coach wall! Not good! other than if homeless people were near by!

Now I have to modify some brackets for the bottom of it , at the top I have electronic pin which locks doors when you start the engine !
While dealing with this we ran in to more disasters issues!



We had big 140feet pine crashed on our home few weeks ago while Cheryl was in sleep with the RR & it missed them by like 20' it smashed right in the mid section of our home and some of the branches were sticking out in my walking closet! I was traveling in Colorado when Cheryl called me with bad news ! Thank God they are okay ! is just home and can be fix ! actually will be around $20.000 to replace! I don't even know where to start with cleaning around our home, all the ornamental trees, azaleas, magnolias, jap maple, roddies and italian cyprus , all got damaged and snapped due to ice and snow, we had 20' of it and it turned to ice over night! branches from all the big pines we have snapped and are on the roof or blanked entire yard! 50m/hr winds , Ice and snow just bad mix!!

Than we lost power for 5 days during out annual Ice Storm! it was crazy january for sure ! Not so good start of the year for sure! But two monitors are running non stop orders are coming and that is good ! our Home here in North Bend was son the market for sale , well it will be under construction for week time !

[prestadude]

Now let me get this straight, you put the grease on the refrigerator or the 300 pound guy?

[tuga]

Les,

What year coach do you have?

Does it have the curved stairway or not?

The reason I ask is because mine is a 1999 Newell with a curved stairway. I was curious to know if the Amana refrigerator I have in the coach could be removed thru the door. I don't think it can because my counter top extends out blocking the entry door.

[leskorcala@hotmail.com]

Tim,

Ha-ha! yeah, I did both of them!!!
No just the door sides! very lucky all the leather celling was untouched , the guys were exelent movers , he said in 8 yaers doing is he never damaged anyones house ! thsi was super tight fit !

I put towel on the top of the fridge so they would not hit it , it was like 1' room , door got little chip off , but the screen door is going back in the place anyway! We are very happy with the new one so far , need to upload some pictures!

Best,
Les

[leskorcala@hotmail.com]

Tuga,

Our is straight on! mid section entry, so yes, so yours might be buger to do it! becouse the part of teh c top! our coach is 2001 two slides!

I think calling newell and talking to one of the mechanics will be best bet to get some good tips! I did on how to remove the screen door etc.

Makes sure you ahve about 24" total width in the door , most of the cabinet depths are about that size or bigger!

We wanted to get as close as passible to our fitting space , in the door and in the wall, so we could fit biggest capacity fridge , it makes sence when living in it full time!

I am wonder if despide the curve stair and the extending c top you couls some how swing it to the side!

I just came out with idea! it would take some taping and cutting cartboad! but what if you could make actual model of cartboard !

Than trying to fit in it trought the door entry! not bad idea, I am doing it next with my 40" flat screen wich is still in our hose , but will be soon in my coach mounted!
It would be easy to do it , get exaxt mesurements of your old one and tape it all together! now you dealing with say 20lbs model not 300lbs !

Alos to take the old one out and help the movers moving faster and smoother< i took out both of the doors for them , making lighter! I was thinking if they can get it out for some strange reason! I can always chop it with my saw across or lenght way! problem is , you nee dto know where the free on lines are running! So that was my alst option! removing than would be super easy and light on the back!

Anyway, hope few tips will help you!

Les Korcala

Newell 2001 with 3 slides

[tuga]

Les,

Thanks for the reply; I guessed that yours had to be a straight in stairway.

When it comes time to change my Amana; I am going to remove the window that is forward of my entrance door and use a fork lift to remove/install the refrigerators.

I have seen this done @ the Newell factory, and it is a piece of cake! Very easily done!

[encantotom]

hi les,

can you post what model number fridge you bought please?

for those of you that dont know me, lets just say i resemble the remark about the big delivery guy.......ha

later

tom

[leskorcala@hotmail.com]

hello,
Yes , going trough the dining are window is another way to do it ! Newell puts new fridges that way , but I am on the budged and its cost me nothing ( free delivery ) still give the guys $80 for not scratching anything! they did awesome job!

Also , we are 3000 miles away so it was out of question to do it , gas would cost me new 3000$ frideg to get there and back , haha 1 and i am sure they will charge good portion of your money !

Tom,

The model KitchenAid we went with was "# KSCS 23 FVMS ( 23.1 cu.ft ) I am sure you can google that one and see inside pics and specs.
Kitchen Aid makes very high end fridges now days ! high quality and we paid only 179$ for 5 years extended Warantee !!! and has 5years on the compresor and 10 years on other parts , you can beat it aspecially for hard to fit fridge !

Filter is at the bottom where the plastic grill is 9 outsite of the fridge ) making for more room at the top section of the fridge!

Very nice digital disply with blue light with C & F temps , easy to set , winter time or storage - vacation mode great future!
Dimensions are:

height - 68 3/4 "
depth - 30 " ( incude door , 3" & hendles , wider part 2,5" )
width - 35 5/8 "
gross weight 304 Lbs

MSRP : $2,949

we paid $2199


I hope this help,


Les

[Richard and Rhonda]

Les,

Relative to your comment on securing the new fridge. If yours is like mine, you use the wheels on the bottom of the fridge. Raise the fridge using the wheels. There should be some hex head screws on the front plate behind the louver grill at the bottom. There is a cross piece above the fridge. Raising the fridge jams the top into the cross piece. Mine also has couple of pieces of angled metal screwed at the bottom, but truthfully they are so small I think they are decorative. Be aware that when you raise the fridge you need to keep it level, since you can adjust the four wheels independantly. I use the edge of the cabinet to check side to side and top to bottom.

[leskorcala@hotmail.com]

Our new fridge is 2011 model and since with wheels was about 5mm to tall ! we had to take the cross wood brace out! I wish I could keep it!

Also we could not find any wheel ajustements. my old amana fridge had very smart wheel locking set up! above each wheel there was long bold with small bracket jaming and stoping each wheel from turning, aditional to thsi there were two l shape aluminum brackets to hold all in place ! just as your have it.

New fridge had diferent bottom cionfuguration and the wheels are hanging half way out of the floor !

My idea was to take all 4 wheels off and just set it on the bottom! stil waiting for the KitchenAid to tell me if I can ajust or taking wheels off entirly.

Alos I can just take front wheels off since they are only half way on the surface and put large section of plywood in the same height and level it!

Taking the front wheels off & placing some playwod resting on flat even surface should give very solid hold, also I would instal some sort of bracket along the bottom.

I was hoping all will be the same as our old Amana , but the bootom of it made diference in perfect fit.

[encantotom]

when i was at newell this week i asked tommy about changing the fridge. he said that mine with the curved stairs was still no problem to get the old fridge out and new one in. he said what they usually do is put a forklift with a pallet on it and raise it up to the floor height and slide the old one out onto it and put the new one in the same way. i am guessing from looking at it here while i am sitting in mine the slide has to be out as well.

i just hope i dont have to find out for a long time. our fridge works great and keeps everything ice cold.

so, some parts you can still buy, some parts you cannot. if you can buy new, thats what i would do. you do not want a used 13 year old icemaker. it will likely give you the metal flakes.

tom