RV Service
RV Refrigerator Repair
An RV refrigerator that won't cool is worth diagnosing properly, since the difference between a minor repair and a full replacement comes down to an accurate diagnosis.
Mon–Fri · 7AM–7PM
Most RVs use an absorption refrigerator that can run on propane or 120-volt AC while relying on 12-volt power for its controls. That means there are generally three separate paths that can fail: the propane path, the electric path, and the 12-volt control side. A fridge that cools on electric but not propane is telling you something specific — and so is one that cools on neither.
Diagnosis generally checks 12-volt supply and control function, burner and igniter operation on the propane side, and ventilation behind the unit. Ventilation and level operation matter more in absorption refrigerators than owners often expect; a fridge that struggles in summer heat may be fighting airflow rather than failing outright.
Where the cooling unit has genuinely failed, you'll be told plainly, including what replacement realistically involves.
A certified RV technician comes to your RV anywhere in Central Oregon.
Monday – Friday, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM, year-round.
Symptoms
Signs it's time to call
If any of these sound familiar, describe them on the phone — the details usually narrow the cause before the visit.
- Fridge doesn't cool on propane but cools on electric (or the reverse)
- Fridge doesn't cool on either power source
- Cools poorly in hot weather only
- Control panel shows a fault or won't respond
- Fridge won't stay lit on propane
- Freezer works but the fresh food compartment doesn't
Covered
What Fixin Trips handles
- Absorption refrigerator diagnosis on propane and electric
- Igniter and burner diagnosis
- Gas valve and thermostat diagnosis
- 12-volt supply diagnosis affecting fridge operation
- Ventilation and airflow assessment
- Repair-versus-replace assessment for failed cooling units
Boundaries
What's outside this service
- Failed sealed cooling units cannot be repaired in place — replacement is the answer
- No exterior sidewall or vent-opening reconstruction
- No generator repair, including when it's the fridge's AC source
- No RVs or trailers older than model year 1995
How service works
Straightforward from the first phone call
Here's exactly how a Fixin Trips service call works.
- 1
We talk it through
Call and describe the symptoms, your RV year and type. We'll determine whether the issue is inside Fixin Trips' scope before anyone drives out.
- 2
We schedule the visit
We schedule your service call based on the first available appointment in your area. This helps prevent the long waits you'd experience taking your RV to a repair facility.
- 3
Diagnose and repair
We diagnose and fix the problem in real time, explaining the process as we go. This helps you understand exactly what you're paying for and how your RV was repaired.
- 4
Payment Options
We accept multiple forms of payment, including onsite credit card payments, checks and cash.
Questions
Refrigerator Repair FAQs
Why won't my RV fridge cool on propane but it works on electric?
That tends to isolate the propane path — the igniter, gas valve, burner, or propane supply — plus the 12-volt control power the ignition depends on. It rarely means the cooling unit has failed.
My fridge only struggles in hot weather. Is it broken?
Not necessarily. Absorption refrigerators are sensitive to ventilation behind the unit and to being operated level. Airflow and installation are generally checked before parts are considered.
Can a failed cooling unit be repaired?
No. A sealed cooling unit that has failed generally requires replacement. You'll be told that directly rather than sold repairs that can't work.
Is a fridge problem ever actually an electrical problem?
It can be. The control board needs stable 12-volt power, and weak batteries or a failing converter can produce symptoms that look like refrigerator failure.
Related services
Related RV services
Service area
Refrigerator Repair across Central Oregon
Not sure whether your community is covered? Get in touch or call 541.699.8799.
Need refrigerator repair? Call 541.699.8799
Call Nate Glass at 541.699.8799. He'll talk through the symptoms first to confirm the job is something Fixin Trips services, then schedule an onsite visit anywhere in Central Oregon. If we can't fix it, we don't charge.