Brand new fridge not very cold

I think your bang on the money with your explanation.

Just looked at my installation and as with my previous van-a bailey-I will be fitting maybe 3 x pc fans on a switch so they run constantly in hot weather.

I have found that by removing the top vent it allows better cooling over the fins.

I inserted a "buffer" plate just below the fins behind the fridge/freezer so that the circulation of air had to go through the fins and not passed them on the inside of the caravan wall-hence creating the manufactures correct gap.

I hope all this makes sense and is helpful to others.

Anyone else noticed that the U4 fridge vents now look bigger, they look square while mine are rectangular.

Probably to give more air flow following complaints.

Fridge exhaust vents in awning??? Am I missing something here?

Probably the case in at least 50% of caravans (I would actually suspect more).  To make matters worse, vents often positioned behind the opened door, restricting air cooling and making the fridge work harder and less efficiently.

With a properly functioning fridge and normal ventilation, the fridge exhaust into the awning should not be a problem.  If you want to be sure check with a CO detector - preferably the type which show a digital readout, even if well below the 'danger' threshold

The 'wiffy fragrant smell' though is very serious and suggests incomplete combustion with consequent high CO levels. This should be attended to immediately

Edit:  Just noticed OP is 2 months old.....so hopefully resolved by now.

i have to agree with Hitch....we NEVER pack the fridge with frozen stuff or pre cool the fridge on electric overnight prior to a trip....

we just move stuff from our home white box and stuff it in the van, turn the key and then drive.....even on 12v it seems to do a pretty good job of cooling down quickly and keeping stuff cold (or frozen in the freezer) when we arrive.

my van is currently parked facing the sun with an average daily temp of 30+ in the direct sunlight.....just made a sarnie and all fridge contents stone cold, running on 240v.

IMHO, if any fridge freezer cant do this, it aint working (or installed) correctly.

ps, its a 2017 Dometic tower fridge/freezer but dont have the model to hand. not only that, the Truma Combi is right underneath and this doesnt seem to faze it unduly either when the got water is on.....