Lakeside Gas Fridges
The repairer caravanners drive two hours to reach after everyone else says no.
Michelle is the technician named most often, credited with fast and accurate diagnosis on fridges, hot water systems, and air conditioners. The business's authorised warranty status with Dometic and Thetford adds practical value: customers report claims being lodged and followed up on their behalf. A recurring theme across roughly five reviews is poor communication during longer jobs — gaps of weeks without updates, and in one case a two-month silence before the customer gave up and went elsewhere. This pattern is worth noting if your job requires parts on order; it's worth confirming upfront how they'll keep you posted on delays. The majority of customers, especially those who mention being squeezed in before a trip, leave satisfied and would return.
Their work
What it's like working with them
Based on a sample of Google reviews (110 total)
What they help with
Based on what their customers hired them for
How they stack up
Context from 193 appliance repairs in Lake Macquarie
Credentials & background
Sourced from 4 public records so you don't have to look them up yourself
About Lakeside Gas Fridges
Lakeside Gas Fridges fills a genuinely rare niche: caravan and RV appliance specialists who handle the gas-electric-12V crossover systems — absorption fridges, gas heaters, hot water systems, and rooftop air conditioners — that most general repairers won't touch or can't diagnose. Multiple reviewers mention arriving after being knocked back by caravan centres, gas plumbers, and brand agents from as far away as Warrnambool, with Lakeside resolving faults in under an hour that others couldn't find. Michelle (named repeatedly) handles on-the-spot diagnosis and repair, while the broader team — including someone named Dillon — manages bookings and squeezes in urgent jobs before planned trips. They operate as an authorised warranty service centre for Dometic and Thetford, meaning warranty claims can be lodged and chased directly through them rather than through the manufacturer. The business is best suited to travellers and full-time caravanners who need a fault fixed before departure, not homeowners with domestic kitchen appliances — the entire workflow, from drop-off bays out the back to same-week scheduling, is built around RV owners on a clock.
Best for: caravan and motorhome owners needing a fault fixed before a departure date, Dometic or Thetford warranty repairs, and RV air conditioner replacements that general repairers won't take on.
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Claim This Profile — Free →Common questions about Lakeside Gas Fridges
What types of appliances does Lakeside Gas Fridges actually work on?+
Lakeside specialises in caravan and motorhome appliances rather than domestic kitchen equipment — the focus is on absorption (3-way) fridges, rooftop and under-bunk air conditioners, gas heaters, and hot water systems. Brands mentioned across reviews include Dometic, Thetford, Waeco, My Coolman, Bushman, Engel, and Herron. They are an authorised warranty repairer for Dometic and Thetford, so warranty jobs can be processed directly through them. If you have a standard household fridge or oven, this likely isn't the right fit.
Can Lakeside fit me in quickly if I'm leaving on a trip soon?+
This is one of the things reviewers mention most often — multiple customers describe being squeezed in within a day or two despite the business being fully booked, specifically because they explained they had a departure date coming up. One reviewer was booked and repaired the same morning they called. That said, jobs requiring parts on order can take longer, so if you're up against a tight deadline it's worth being upfront about that when you call so they can give you a realistic timeframe.
How does Lakeside handle warranty repairs for Dometic or Thetford fridges?+
Lakeside is an authorised service centre for both Dometic and Thetford, which means they can log and manage warranty claims directly rather than you having to deal with the manufacturer yourself. Reviewers describe the process as smooth, with Lakeside chasing up claims on their behalf. One customer noted Thetford was slow to respond but Lakeside kept following up. If your caravan fridge is still under manufacturer warranty, bringing it here avoids the usual back-and-forth with the brand.
What do customers say about pricing at Lakeside Gas Fridges?+
The majority of reviewers describe pricing as reasonable or fair for the work done, particularly given the specialised nature of caravan appliance repairs. A handful of negative reviews do flag pricing as a concern — one mentions paying close to $1,200 over multiple visits with ongoing issues, and another disputes a diagnostic fee. The most common positive sentiment is that prices didn't affect travel plans and were considered good value given the speed and outcome. It's worth asking for an upfront estimate before authorising any work.
Is Lakeside Gas Fridges worth travelling to from outside Newcastle?+
Several reviewers drove two or more hours specifically to use Lakeside after failing to find a repairer locally — one came from the Central Coast after paying over $1,000 at a Dometic agent that couldn't fix the problem, and another travelled from Warrnambool. The drop-off setup out the back is designed for caravans and motorhomes, and the turnaround for straightforward jobs is typically under an hour. If you have a complex fault that local repairers won't touch or can't diagnose, the trip appears to be worth it for most customers.