RV Microwaves

[tylerm96]

Hi everyone!

Recently I bought a used RV and now have to get a few things including a microwave. Browsed a couple of websites like https://highskyrvparts.com/rv-parts/appliances/rv-microwaves and it seems that the prices on RV microwaves are on average 50-70 dollars higher.

Can't I just get a regular one? I'd appreciate any feedback.

Thanks

Edited June 4, 2021 by tylerm96

[Kirk W]

Welcome to the Escapee forums. The only thing special about an RV microwave is the way that it mounts into the cabinets. When ours failed I removed it, modified the area to a shelf with some hold downs for it and bought the new one at Lowe's.

[tylerm96]

I thought so
Thanks Kirk.

[Jack L]

In two different Travel trailers I replaced the microwaves with 50$ ones from the big box stores.

 Just make sure you fasten it in place properly and have the proper air space around it

The RV's ones are a big rip off

Jack L

[docj]

9 hours ago, Kirk W said:

The only thing special about an RV microwave is the way that it mounts into the cabinets.

Quite a few RVs use standard "Over the Range 30"" microwave ovens that don't require any special accommodations.

[Solo18]

Also, you will need to be careful how the microwave vents.  Many home microwaves vent on the sides, but at least the one I have in my motorhome vents in the back, so it is hard to find a replacement.  And you do have to make sure it is securely fastened down so it does not go flying during a hard stop!! 

Big tip:  Before you drive, always make sure your microwave door is shut securely.  If not, glass plate will fly out and break into a million pieces.  And I know from experience they are VERY hard to replace just the glass plate.  Luckily, I found an RV dealer who always kept the plates and the turntable plastic things when he had to trash a microwave!!  He had a whole box of them. 

[57becky]

When we replaced our microwave last year, had it delivered from BestBuy, and the only modification needed was to change the vent diverter from pointing up to pointing out the back.  Otherwise, the installation was fairly straight forward.

[Lance A Lott]

When ours died I found the exact same microwave at Walmart except for the vent. I just changed the case, I threw the new one on a shelf in the garage just incase I needed to return the new one under warranty. It would have been quite easy to make a new vent if needed.

[James Bartelt]

take some measurements and get an inverter microwave(not just the same old type that cycles 100% power). The inverter type runs constant at whatever power level you set it at(reduced power level and better food heating). perfect for limited power situations like an rv/generator use. I ordered a Panasonic NN-SA651S off amazon. they're not expensive, but you'll love the way it heats. have in my house as well. just have to be sure you anchor it in place & I drilled more vent holes in the cabinet blank off above it.

[Jinx & Wayne]

9 hours ago, Solo18 said:

Before you drive, always make sure your microwave door is shut securely.  If not, glass plate will fly out and break into a million pieces.

And if you leave the turntable plate in it bounces madly.  Some microwaves have internal sensors (Our Sharp microwave/convection is one)  It is also fragile.  When we move we put the plate on the sear of a recliner.

Wayne & Jinx
2017 F-350 diesel, dually
2006 Carriage Carri-Lite 36KSQ

[Pat & Pete]

2 hours ago, Jinx & Wayne said:

And if you leave the turntable plate in it bounces madly.  Some microwaves have internal sensors (Our Sharp microwave/convection is one)  It is also fragile.  When we move we put the plate on the sear of a recliner.

Wayne & Jinx
2017 F-350 diesel, dually
2006 Carriage Carri-Lite 36KSQ

Hmm , you folks must drive like you're in a wreck em derby . 

I've been driving our Monaco for 11 years and never once has the turn table come out of the Sharp . I've never even heard a rattle from it .

[Barbaraok]

1 hour ago, Pat & Pete said:

Hmm , you folks must drive like you're in a wreck em derby . 

I've been driving our Monaco for 11 years and never once has the turn table come out of the Sharp . I've never even heard a rattle from it .

Wonder if it is a case of motorhome versus trailer when it comes to the bouncing inside?  

[Pat & Pete]

9 minutes ago, Barbaraok said:

Wonder if it is a case of motorhome versus trailer when it comes to the bouncing inside?  

I'm sure there's a difference . I do see 'some' trailers that seem to bob down the road . Generally , those are the ones seen laying upside down just a while after . Some folks pull way too fast and have the load in the wrong places . 

[Jinx & Wayne]

2 hours ago, Barbaraok said:

Wonder if it is a case of motorhome versus trailer when it comes to the bouncing inside?

Absolutely!  A fiver is a constant 7.4 earthquake.  At that is traveling at 60 mph max with an improved suspension.  And we are loaded properly (Smartweigh confirmed).

Wayne & Jinx
2017 F-350 diesel, dually
2006 Carriage Carri-Lite 36KSQ

[Kirk W]

2 hours ago, Barbaraok said:

Wonder if it is a case of motorhome versus trailer when it comes to the bouncing inside?  

Having had both, a motorhome will always have a better ride, mostly because they are intended to have people in them. Most trailers don't even have any shock absorbers. The diesels that have air ride are by far better than any of the trailers or other motorhomes either. 

[DanZemke]

Ah, come-on gals and guys.  Vibration in the living space, while driving is dependent on it's suspension, it's frame and for trailers, how it is connected to its truck.  

My huge diesel truck's suspension is air with shock absorbers for every wheel, and my hitch is supported by 4 air bags and has two connecting it to my trailer is air.  And my 5th wheel trailer has a 6 wheel independent suspension (https://www.morryde.com/products/independent-suspension-system/) that is equal to or better than the motor home anyone on this forum has, or had.

Living space vibration is not a generic motor home vs trailer debate. 

Edited June 5, 2021 by DanZemke
clarity

[2gypsies]

3 hours ago, Barbaraok said:

Wonder if it is a case of motorhome versus trailer when it comes to the bouncing inside?  

We even left things on the kitchen and bath counters in the motorhome and they didn't move.  We had loose table chairs and recliners and they didn't move.

[Solo18]

I drive a 32' motorhome, and the plate fell out because I had stopped at a rest area to heat food up for lunch.  My error was not making sure the microwave door was thoroughly latched when I was done.  (I always check cabinet doors and such before I head out in the morning.)  However, even when it is latched, the plate has often bounced around inside to the point where it is no longer sitting on the middle pin correctly.

My recliner does not move, but anything on my kitchen counter does move, especially if I am on a highway with lots of small chuckholes. 

[Kirk W]

3 hours ago, 2gypsies said:

We had loose table chairs and recliners and they didn't move.

I hope that you never have a serious accident.

[Jinx & Wayne]

7 hours ago, DanZemke said:

my 5th wheel trailer has a 6 wheel independent suspension (https://www.morryde.com/products/independent-suspension-system/) that is equal to or better than the motor home anyone on this forum has, or had.

My observation is that fivers with that level of vibration absorption are only slightly more common than hen's teeth.

Wayne & Jinx
2017 F-350 diesel, dually
2006 Carriage Carri-Lite 36KSQ

[Dutch_12078]

Our microwave tray used to bounce out of place once in awhile on particularly rough roads. Since we started putting a loaf of bread or a package of rolls on the tray before heading out, it hasn't happened again.

[docj]

7 hours ago, 2gypsies said:

We even left things on the kitchen and bath counters in the motorhome and they didn't move.  We had loose table chairs and recliners and they didn't move.

We've always left some things on the counter while traveling.  Most don't go anywhere.  However, ask me how I know not leave the coffee grinder out!  😁

[Danandfreda]

We have left a pair of sunglasses on a 3 inch wide smooth shelf and they never moved. We forgot to take down a picture on the bedroom wall and it was still there 5 hours later. I’ve heard of all kinds of stories about it’s like an “earthquake” and I think a lot of it depends on the trailer or fifth wheel and driving habits. We left a roll of paper towels standing on end on the counter from Tennessee to Illinois and never fell over. Must not be that rough in the fiver

[Jaydrvr]

A lot depends on the weight of the trailer. Physics is a great thing. Our fiver weighs about 20,000# and inertia keeps everything in pretty good shape inside. We do, or rather my DW does, carefully batten everything down, but even when we forget something, it's still pretty much in the same place at the end of the day. That is, unless it's a miserably rough road. Then there's bound to be some Mixmaster effect. Jay

[Tom_M]

If you don't have an oven you might want to consider a combination microwave/convection oven unit. I have a Panasonic inverter type in my motorhome and my house. I hardly use the microwave function in my motorhome but use the convection oven a lot. I've cooked up to a 13 pound turkey in mine.