Should You Repair or Replace a Caravan Fridge? How To Decide

A reliable caravan fridge is a must-have for most campers—especially families with kids—who rely on chilled food and drinks during their travels. While some travellers still use quality ice boxes, a built-in caravan fridge offers far greater convenience, particularly on longer trips or during scorching Aussie summers.

But what should you do when your fridge starts playing up? Whether it’s a flickering light, rising internal temperatures, or complete failure, identifying the issue can be a tricky process of elimination. Depending on whether you have a 2-way compressor fridge or a 3-way absorption model, the problem—and the solution—can vary widely. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to decide between caravan fridge repairs and a full replacement.

 

2-Way vs 3-Way Refrigerators

 

3-Way Absorption Fridges

There are two main types of caravan fridges on the RV market today.  Firstly, there is your 3-way fridge offering you 3 fuel sources to choose from - 240 volt, 12 volt and gas.  This will enable you to operate the fridge anytime and anywhere giving you the choice to run off 240 volt mains power at a caravan park, 12 volt while travelling on the road or gas when free camping for extended periods. 

Gas Tips: A naked flame is prohibited at petrol stations, motorway service areas and in most tunnels. For this reason, it is advisable to run off your vehicles 12 volt system while towing.  The latest 3-way fridges from Dometic have an inbuilt safety feature that delays the starting of the fridge for a couple of minutes when running off your vehicles 12 volt ignition to allow you time to move away from the fuel bowser. 

Silent Operating Caravan Absorption Fridge

Many of the 3-way fridges on the RV market today are absorption style principal, in which the application of heat causes refrigerant to circulate in a closed system of pipes at the rear of the refrigerator cabinet, there are no moving parts which allows the fridge to operate silently.

Absorption Fridge Features:

• Quiet and efficient operation

• Availability of 240, 12 volt and Gas

• Avoiding the use of moving parts

• Highly resistant to wear and tear

• Easy to maintain

2-Way Compressor Fridges 

Compressor fridges, or 2-way fridges are just like your fridge at home, although the compressor runs on a lower voltage of 12 or 24 volts (usually from your deep cycle camping batteries or from your vehicles 12 volt system). The fridge can operate on 240-volt power aswell when a 240 to 12 or 24 volt transformer is installed to suit the lower voltage compressor (some fridges come with this feature as standard, although usually the transformer is sold separately). As a general rule of thumb, compressor fridges or 2-way fridges are able to cool down quicker and more consistently than your 3-way gas absorption design due to the stronger and more efficient compressor motor. This also enables some of the compressor fridges to double as freezers simply by dialling the temperature control to a lower setting.

Another advantage of the compressor fridge is its undeniable workings on uneven terrain or slight inclines delivering the same output and efficiency as it would be operating on a level surface. 

Caravan Compressor Fridges Features: 

• Able to operate on uneven terrain

• Able to cool to lower temperatures 

• Designed to operate off battery power supply

• Less of a drain on a car battery during normal operations

• Generally run more efficiently than absorption types

• Lower starting amps than a domestic fridge 

 

Common Issues and Troubleshooting Steps

Caravan fridges—especially absorption models like 3-way fridges—are relatively simple in design but can develop problems that affect their cooling performance. Understanding the most common issues can help you identify whether it’s time for caravan fridge repairs or a full replacement.

Here are the three main causes of failure:

1. Ammonia is Not Circulating Properly

In 3-way fridges, cooling is achieved through a chemical reaction involving liquid ammonia. If the ammonia isn't circulating correctly through the system, the fridge will struggle to cool. You might notice that the fridge feels slightly cool but never reaches the proper temperature, especially in hotter weather.

What to check:

• Has the fridge been idle for a long time?

• Is the fridge level? These fridges must be perfectly level to function efficiently.

• Gently rocking the fridge or turning it upside down temporarily can sometimes redistribute the ammonia and restart circulation (though this is a short-term fix, not a repair).

 

2. Ammonia Leak

While uncommon, ammonia leaks are serious. Ammonia is a toxic chemical with a strong, unmistakable smell. If you detect a sharp, acrid odour near your fridge, it’s likely an ammonia leak.

What to do:

• Do not use the fridge if you suspect a leak.

• Ventilate the area immediately.

• Contact a technician who specialises in 3 way caravan fridge repairs. In most cases, the cooling unit will need replacing or the fridge may need to be written off.

 

3. Damaged Heating Element or Burner

In a 3-way fridge, the heating element or gas burner initiates the cooling cycle by heating the ammonia. If this component fails, the fridge won’t cool at all. This issue is often misdiagnosed because the fridge appears completely unresponsive.

What to look for:

• No sound or heat from the back of the fridge

• Burner soot or corrosion (if running on gas)

• Faulty wiring or blown fuse (if running on 12V or 240V power)

Depending on the severity of the issue, this may be fixable with a replacement part.

 

Why Do These Problems Happen?

The most common cause of ammonia circulation problems is infrequent use. When a caravan fridge sits unused for long periods—especially through winter or long off-road storage—the ammonia mixture can break down and form sediment. This heavy residue sinks to the bottom of the cooling unit, blocking the flow of ammonia and preventing the system from operating as it should.

Fridges that are used regularly are less likely to experience this issue, as the constant heating and cooling cycles keep the ammonia in motion and prevent sediment buildup.

Other contributing factors include:

• Improper storage (especially storing the fridge while tilted or unlevel)

• Corrosion or age-related wear on pipes and joints

• Poor ventilation behind the fridge, which can cause overheating and component failure

• Running the fridge outside its recommended temperature range, which puts extra stress on the system

Routine maintenance, such as running the fridge every few months—even when the caravan is not in use—can help prevent many of these issues.

 

Repair or Replace your Caravan Fridge?

Deciding whether to repair or replace your caravan fridge can be tricky, especially when you're on the road or planning your next big trip. Repairs can seem like the more affordable option at first glance, but they’re not always the most cost-effective solution in the long run—especially if your fridge is nearing the end of its lifespan.

Start with the Age of the Fridge

As a general rule, if your caravan fridge is approaching or over 10 years old, it’s worth considering a replacement. Like an ageing car, one fix often leads to another. Components begin to wear out, performance drops, and breakdowns become more frequent.

Ask yourself:

• How old is my caravan fridge?

• Has it had multiple repairs in the past few years?

• Am I noticing more frequent performance issues like inconsistent cooling or increased energy use?

 

Weighing Up the Cost of Repairs

Caravan fridge repairs aren’t always cheap. Here’s a rough cost breakdown to keep in mind:

• Technician call-out and diagnosis: ~$100 per hour

• Common replacement parts: $300–$500, depending on the model

• Labour to install parts: 1–3 hours, often billed separately

Add these up, and you’re easily looking at half the cost—or more—of a brand new fridge. And that’s without factoring in the hassle of a fridge that might break down again in six months.

Ask yourself:

• Have I received a quote for repair costs?

• Does the repair exceed 40–50% of the cost of a new fridge?

• Is the part being replaced critical, or just a short-term patch?

 

Consider How Often You Use It

Another key factor is how often you use your caravan. If you’re a full-time traveller or take multiple trips per year, reliability becomes even more important. A modern, efficient fridge will be more reliable, use less power, and often have better temperature control—especially in harsh Aussie conditions.

Ask yourself:

• Is this fridge used regularly, or only once or twice a year?

• Am I relying on this fridge for long, remote trips?

• Would I feel more confident travelling with a new unit?

 

Risk vs Reward

At the end of the day, it's about deciding whether the risk of repair is worth the potential reward of continued use. If you're investing hundreds into a fridge that might only last another season, a replacement could save you stress—and money—down the track.

If you are looking to replace your unreliable caravan fridge, feel free to give us a call on 1800 787 278 and we can find the best replacement model for your space and travel plans. You can also check out our Caravan Fridge Buyers Guide to compare different models and find the right fit for your setup.

 

DISCLAIMER* Please note, this advice is general in nature and we strongly recommend consulting the product manual and where relevant, a professional installer.

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