When it comes to life on the road, few decisions are as important—or as hotly debated—as the type of refrigerator you install in your RV. After all, your fridge is the unsung hero keeping your ice cream frozen, your sodas cold, and your leftovers just on the safe side of edible.
To find out what our adventurous readers really prefer, we posed the burning question in our newsletter: “What kind of RV refrigerator do you prefer?” The responses rolled in, and the results might surprise you—or at least make you reconsider your next appliance upgrade.
If you missed out on this poll, don’t worry! There will be more chances to share your opinion, so keep an eye on our newsletter and make sure your vote counts next time. After all, the only thing more important than cold drinks on the road is being part of the conversation!
Poll Results: The Cold, Hard Facts
Here’s how our readers’ preferences stacked up:
| Refrigerator Type | % of Votes |
|---|---|
| Residential Style | 54% |
| Two-way (propane/electric) | 21% |
| Three-way (propane/AC/DC) | 18% |
| Portable Cooler | 7% |
Residential Style: The King of the (Mobile) Kitchen
It turns out, more than half of our readers want to live large—even if their living room is on wheels. The residential style refrigerator took the top spot, with 54% of the vote. Maybe it’s the allure of being able to store enough groceries for a family reunion, or perhaps it’s just the simple joy of not playing Tetris with your leftovers.
Either way, it seems RVers are saying, “Why settle for less? If my fridge can’t fit a frozen turkey, I don’t want it!”
Two-way and Three-way: The Classic Debate
Coming in at 21% and 18% respectively, the two-way and three-way fridges still have a loyal following. These workhorses have been the backbone of RV refrigeration for decades. The two-way models, running on propane or electric, are the dependable golden retrievers of the bunch—always there when you need them, but maybe not the flashiest.
Meanwhile, the three-way models add DC power to the mix, making them the Swiss Army knives of the RV fridge world. Still, it seems most readers are ready to trade a bit of versatility for the cold, cavernous embrace of a residential fridge.
Portable Coolers: The Minimalist’s Choice
Only 7% of readers opted for the portable cooler. Maybe these are the true adventurers, the ones who say, “Who needs a fridge when you’ve got a bag of ice and a dream?” Or perhaps they’re just tired of defrosting. Either way, we salute their commitment to simplicity—and strong biceps from hauling all that ice.
Conclusion: Why Did Residential Fridges Win?
So why did the residential style refrigerator dominate the poll? We think it comes down to a combination of convenience, capacity, and the ever-growing desire to bring the comforts of home on the road. As more RVs are built with powerful inverters and robust electrical systems, the old limitations of residential fridges—like power consumption—are less of an issue.
Plus, there’s something undeniably appealing about opening a full-size fridge after a long day of travel and seeing all your favorite snacks lined up, just like at home. For many, the RV lifestyle isn’t about roughing it anymore—it’s about bringing a little bit of luxury along for the ride. And if that means having a fridge big enough to store a week’s worth of groceries (and maybe a frozen pizza or two), then so be it!
