Dometic and Electrolux 3-way fridges have been fitted to Australian caravans for decades. If you are replacing an older unit, the first job is to identify the old model and measure the cabinet opening, not just choose by litre capacity.
This guide gives a new-for-old starting point for common upright Dometic 3-way fridges. Some models have direct or near-direct replacement paths, while others may need cabinet, vent or service changes.
Check the model label on the old fridge, then compare the cabinet cut-out, depth, door swing, vent layout and service connections. A fridge with similar capacity may still need different cabinetry or vents.
In general, RM and RMD10 fridges are usually the first place to look when replacing an existing 3-way fridge and trying to avoid major cabinet work. RUA fridges suit some installations, but they are often a better fit for new fitouts or larger cabinet changes because their dimensions differ from many older models.
If you are choosing between absorption and compressor fridges rather than replacing like-for-like, see our caravan fridge buying guide.
Dometic has maintained two compact single-door sizes that suit many older RM 2-series installations:
The RUA5208X sits in the 150L class, but it does not automatically replace every older 150L fridge without cabinet checks. Compare the cut-out dimensions, vent position and door swing before ordering.
The RMD10.5XS is the common current path for many older RMD and RMDX style installations in the 175L to 190L range. It is still important to measure the cabinet and check the vent layout before treating it as a direct swap.
The RUA8408X is a larger 3-way fridge option used where the cabinet and vent setup suit it. It is not simply a capacity upgrade for every older fridge cavity. Check the dimensions and installation manual before committing to cabinet work.
By the 1970s many Australian caravans were moving from 240V bar fridges to absorption 3-way fridges such as the Electrolux RM36. These fridges gave owners the flexibility of 240V, 12V and LPG operation.
Earlier installations often used pressed metal louvred vents. Later installations moved to the plastic Electrolux/Dometic style fridge vents still seen on many vans today.
The common plastic vents are fitted as a top and bottom pair. The top vent includes a smaller section on the right to allow the fridge flue to exhaust outside.
There have been changes in branding and locking style over the years, including the move from Electrolux to Dometic. The commonly referenced wall cut-out remained 451mm wide x 156mm high across these vent generations, but always confirm against the part and the van before cutting.
Note: the images above show top vents, except where the bottom vent is shown to help highlight the visual differences.
Original Electrolux vents were also available in brown, but the vent style was otherwise the same. Some older vents also have screws through the frame. These are often later additions after the original coin-lock button failed or outer vent sections were lost in transit.
The coin-lock system eventually gave way to the slide lock. The design change also affected the inner upper and lower mounting frames. Because only the current 1625-style parts may be available, it can sometimes be more practical to buy the full top and bottom replacement kit rather than individual pieces.
All dimensions in the charts were taken from Electrolux/Dometic literature available for the models at the time. Specifications can change, so use this guide as a starting point and confirm the current product and installation details before cutting or ordering.
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