AirDownGearUp SS1: Storage, Sleeper and Drawer System for 100 series (7 Viewers)

[RAMf1]

Have you been able to find a lead or reseller for the Indel B drawer fridge? Quick google search doesn't really show any US resellers. I like the Indel B fridge over the Dometic and Engel since it has a covered compressor, higher drawer sides, and digital thermostat rather than the manual dial. I shot an email out to truckfridge.com to see if they are going to carry the TB30AM or can special order it.

They're from Italy and it looks like they are huge in the European Truck market... They've been making automotive refrigerators since 1967 so I figure they must know what they are doing... It is odd that they do not have a US distributor listed but their map shows one in the Great Lakes area... I first heard about Indel B from the 2019 SEMA Show: Sema Show - Las Vegas 5-8 November 2019 and I started to do some research... Here is a Marine Supply Company that says they can ship and deliver in a week: Indelb TB30AM Drawer Black buy and offers on Waveinn ... $587.99. They are a large company that ships worldwide: Tradeinn Make sure to post some photos when you get it installed!

 

[Gazziza]

They're from Italy and it looks like they are huge in the European Truck market... They've been making automotive refrigerators since 1967 so I figure they must know what they are doing... It is odd that they do not have a US distributor listed but their map shows one in the Great Lakes area... I first heard about Indel B from the 2019 SEMA Show: Sema Show - Las Vegas 5-8 November 2019 and I started to do some research... Here is a Marine Supply Company that says they can ship and deliver in a week: Indelb TB30AM Drawer Black buy and offers on Waveinn ... $587.99. They are a large company that ships worldwide: Tradeinn Make sure to post some photos when you get it installed!

I've had one of the Indel B fridges before but it was your typical 12v fridge like a Dometic. Equipt sells Indel B too but I don't see the drawer fridge style for sale. They also received very high marks a few years ago from a Overland Journal article. The only problem with Waveinn is the $142 shipping!!! I'll keep hunting but will see if truckfridge or Equipt will carry them or can special order them.

 

[Tors10]

I found this fridge to fit under the platform. I've only used it on one trip so far, but so far so good.

21QT GO20 Dual Zone Portable Fridge Car Freezer 12volt Refrigerator with 5-year Warranty Compressor

Start your new year with the ultimate winter adventure companion! Freeze and chill simultaneously for ultimate convenience. A car fridge with a detachable partition Design, GO20 provides 2 separate zones for refrigeration and freezing. 5-year warranty SECOP(Danfoss) Compressor & LA Local after...

icecofreezer.com

Things I like:
Fits under the platform, duh.
Has the SECOP/Danfoss compressor.
Bluetooth, so can be controlled and monitored from the driver's seat.
Fridge/freezer option. I've only used as a fridge so far.
Lists for $429, but found it on sale with 20% off and free shipping.
Enough room to fit a Frontrunner wolfpack between it and the backseat.
And finally, can easily removed.

Things I don't like (overstatement):
My only real gripe so far is no tie downs. I wedged a piece of rubber mat between it and the platform above, but would like to figure out something more secure.

Not much of a poster, so hope this is helpful to someone.

 

[Gazziza]

So I have not been successful in finding anyone that can import the Indel B TB30AM drawer fridge. Seems like a newer unit so hopefully they'll make it stateside at some point. I like the Indel B units for a few reasons, they're a known company in the travel and overland world and use common tried and true compressors. It also has a digital thermostat unlike the Dometic or Engel drawer fridges that use a knob/dial.

Stumbled upon a new drawer fridge from a company called Phalcon Overland. I'm sure they just outsource it and rebadge it from whoever the manufacturer is. Looks like it uses an LG compressor which is probably newer and it has a digital thermostat. The unit is also priced fairly well at $425. I don't know the exact dimensions but it looks like it'll fit right in the space quite nicely. I'll probably pick up one of these units once I'm done moving.

https://phalconoverland.com/product/30l-drawer-type-fridge-freezer/

 

[RAMf1]

So I have not been successful in finding anyone that can import the Indel B TB30AM drawer fridge. Seems like a newer unit so hopefully they'll make it stateside at some point. I like the Indel B units for a few reasons, they're a known company in the travel and overland world and use common tried and true compressors. It also has a digital thermostat unlike the Dometic or Engel drawer fridges that use a knob/dial.

Stumbled upon a new drawer fridge from a company called Phalcon Overland. I'm sure they just outsource it and rebadge it from whoever the manufacturer is. Looks like it uses an LG compressor which is probably newer and it has a digital thermostat. The unit is also priced fairly well at $425. I don't know the exact dimensions but it looks like it'll fit right in the space quite nicely. I'll probably pick up one of these units once I'm done moving.

https://phalconoverland.com/product/30l-drawer-type-fridge-freezer/

This looks really great! I shot them an email requesting more information... such as the dimensions. Thank you for finding this!

 

[suprarx7nut]

So I have not been successful in finding anyone that can import the Indel B TB30AM drawer fridge. Seems like a newer unit so hopefully they'll make it stateside at some point. I like the Indel B units for a few reasons, they're a known company in the travel and overland world and use common tried and true compressors. It also has a digital thermostat unlike the Dometic or Engel drawer fridges that use a knob/dial.

Stumbled upon a new drawer fridge from a company called Phalcon Overland. I'm sure they just outsource it and rebadge it from whoever the manufacturer is. Looks like it uses an LG compressor which is probably newer and it has a digital thermostat. The unit is also priced fairly well at $425. I don't know the exact dimensions but it looks like it'll fit right in the space quite nicely. I'll probably pick up one of these units once I'm done moving.

https://phalconoverland.com/product/30l-drawer-type-fridge-freezer/

That's a good find. It's worrisome how little info is on that listing, though. No specs at all seems kind of weird.

Despite the knob (I agree the digital thermostat is a clear advantage) I like the Engel's movable compressor. I'm really anxious to get one fitted. My wife's due in another couple weeks, but once I find my new "two-kid" groove I hope to get a drawer fridge setup this spring. Gotta keep that formula cold, right?

 

[aaronrules]

I think I really like the idea of drawer style fridge. I also like the idea of a fridge that will fit underneath the platform, especially since a Wolfpack box will also fit with that fridge.

 

[Clunky]

That drawer fridge looks way too small to be very useful.

 

[Gazziza]

That drawer fridge looks way too small to be very useful.

It's a 30L fridge which should be more than plenty for a 2-3 day trip for a couple. What I've found to work well is to store my meats, eggs, dairy, veggies etc in the fridge and just rotate in drinks as necessary. Obviously it's not meant for large groups of people or extended trips. The problem with most fridges is that they take up a lot of space and with a shelf/storage system will require some sort of heavy fridge slide. While it is a compromise a drawer fridge saves you space, weight, and preserves a flat platform making the space much more functional. Again it's not for everyone but I think from a practicality standpoint it make a lot of sense. Evakool and Engel make a larger 40L drawer style fridge but I don't think they'd fit in the space under the ADGU unit.

 

[hoser]

x2 on it being a 2-person, weekender fridge. Any more and you'll probably want to supplement with an ice chest for the drinks. You will think twice about offering your buddies a beer. You'll be doing calculations in your head, "I have 3 beers in there, it takes 3+ hrs to chill beers.... if I give two away.... my next beer will be warm for sure" haha.

I love the idea of a drawer fridge and looked long and hard for a deeper deeper drawer fridge. The Evakool is too wide and the Engel is actually only 30 liters. Not sure how they messed up their math. 30 liters doesn't equal 40 quarts. A custom fridge drawer is a possibility, as many boat owners build custom fridge enclosures. But it will be more costly and less refined.

@Gazziza I believe Isotherm is the same company as Indel B... just their higher end line. Perhaps one of the US retailers can still get the Indel B.

 

[suprarx7nut]

x2 on it being a 2-person, weekender fridge. Any more and you'll probably want to supplement with an ice chest for the drinks. You will think twice about offering your buddies a beer. You'll be doing calculations in your head, "I have 3 beers in there, it takes 3+ hrs to chill beers.... if I give two away.... my next beer will be warm for sure" haha.

I love the idea of a drawer fridge and looked long and hard for a deeper deeper drawer fridge. The Evakool is too wide and the Engel is actually only 30 liters. Not sure how they messed up their math. 30 liters doesn't equal 40 quarts. A custom fridge drawer is a possibility, as many boat owners build custom fridge enclosures. But it will be more costly and less refined.

@Gazziza I believe Isotherm is the same company as Indel B... just their higher end line. Perhaps one of the US retailers can still get the Indel B.

I loved the space of my 50 qt ARB, but one thing I found was that it was hard to use all the vertical space. If something falls to the bottom when it's mostly full, it's real hard to get past 3 layers of cans to get to it. That made the first day of multi-day trips pretty annoying. "Ah crap, I dropped the gogurt. Hang on while I take out 6 beers, 4 sodas, the grapes and a couple waters so I can reach the bottom..."

I'll have to live with a 30 qt to see if it's worth it. Another consideration is that my family normally has at least one small cooler kept up front where we can access it for soda/snacks on the move. Maybe between a small soft cooler and the 30 qt drawer that would cover everything for a couple days.

The 30 qt fridges are still smaller than needed to fit under the SS1. If somebody made a slightly taller and deeper unit we'd be in business (figuratively and literally). The space is there, the common dimensions just aren't quite the right orientation.

A pictoral example from CAD:
Typical 30 qt fridge actual product volume: ~80 liters
Space under one side of the SS1: 150 liters
ARB 50 qt product volume: 115 liters

 

[hoser]

I used a Dometic CD-30 on a 10 day trip.... 2 adults and 2 kids. We also had a medium sized soft cooler for all the drinks and it worked okay.... you just have to contend with restocking ice too. Without the extra cooler, it would definitely not work for us.

I understand what you mean about the issues of th deep fridge depth. I also have an ARB 63qt.... which is 3" shorter than the ARB 50 and everything is easily accessible... and it's nice indeed... at the expense of larger footprint.

Worth consideration is the Dometic CRX 65D (drawer). It is only slightly taller than the ARB 50.

Dometic CoolMatic CRX 65D

Dometic CoolMatic CRX 65D - Pull-out fridge and freezer, 12 V and 24 V DC

www.dometic.com

 

[Gazziza]

x2 on it being a 2-person, weekender fridge. Any more and you'll probably want to supplement with an ice chest for the drinks. You will think twice about offering your buddies a beer. You'll be doing calculations in your head, "I have 3 beers in there, it takes 3+ hrs to chill beers.... if I give two away.... my next beer will be warm for sure" haha.

I love the idea of a drawer fridge and looked long and hard for a deeper deeper drawer fridge. The Evakool is too wide and the Engel is actually only 30 liters. Not sure how they messed up their math. 30 liters doesn't equal 40 quarts. A custom fridge drawer is a possibility, as many boat owners build custom fridge enclosures. But it will be more costly and less refined.

@Gazziza I believe Isotherm is the same company as Indel B... just their higher end line. Perhaps one of the US retailers can still get the Indel B.

Fortunately it's just me and my gf for now. I guess you really have to be selective who you share your beer with . Just looked at the Isotherm drawer fridge and it's definitely higher end, the 30L is around $1200. I don't know anything about the Phalcon Overland fridge or the LG compressor but at $425 the price may be just right. Although it would suck if the thing died in the middle of a trip.

I loved the space of my 50 qt ARB, but one thing I found was that it was hard to use all the vertical space. If something falls to the bottom when it's mostly full, it's real hard to get past 3 layers of cans to get to it. That made the first day of multi-day trips pretty annoying. "Ah crap, I dropped the gogurt. Hang on while I take out 6 beers, 4 sodas, the grapes and a couple waters so I can reach the bottom..."

I'll have to live with a 30 qt to see if it's worth it. Another consideration is that my family normally has at least one small cooler kept up front where we can access it for soda/snacks on the move. Maybe between a small soft cooler and the 30 qt drawer that would cover everything for a couple days.

The 30 qt fridges are still smaller than needed to fit under the SS1. If somebody made a slightly taller and deeper unit we'd be in business (figuratively and literally). The space is there, the common dimensions just aren't quite the right orientation.

A pictoral example from CAD:
Typical 30 qt fridge actual product volume: ~80 liters
Space under one side of the SS1: 150 liters
ARB 50 qt product volume: 115 liters

View attachment 2556851

What are the dimensions of each individual compartment under the ADGU unit? Width might be more of the limiting factor. I agree with you on vertical space being a factor which is a problem on some of the other drawer units. Not knocking Goose Gear or Trekboxx as they make fantastic products but the kitchen/fridge systems in those units really cut down on how much space you have in the vehicle. With those units your vehicle really has to be a dedicated trail or overland rig to make the cost worth it.

 

[Mike NXP]

Damn this thread, now I want to put a fridge under my SS1. Currently we roll with a RTIC60 Cooler on top of the platform strapped down. When we roll up to camp it lives on the front seat, not the worst setup but could be better.

 

[suprarx7nut]

Damn this thread, now I want to put a fridge under my SS1. Currently we roll with a RTIC60 Cooler on top of the platform strapped down. When we roll up to camp it lives on the front seat, not the worst setup but could be better.

Having lived with a fridge just briefly this last season.... it's pretty amazing. Removing ice from the equation makes the space go much further as well. No ice, no water, no worry about things being juuuuuust less than perfectly sealed and leaking juices all over everything in the cooler. It's good stuff.

 

[Mike NXP]

Having lived with a fridge just briefly this last season.... it's pretty amazing. Removing ice from the equation makes the space go much further as well. No ice, no water, no worry about things being juuuuuust less than perfectly sealed and leaking juices all over everything in the cooler. It's good stuff.

And it stays cool all night with no power / ice? Does the little white fridge under the platform run off the 12V/120W supply or do you need more wattage?

 

[suprarx7nut]

And it stays cool all night with no power / ice? Does the little white fridge under the platform run off the 12V/120W supply or do you need more wattage?

I can't speak for other setups, but I had the ARB 50 qt, a solar panel on the roof, DCDC charger, 36 Amp-hour aux battery. It stayed right at 34F all day every day for 4-5 days. I drove lots so it was only running off the solar/aux setup overnight and while parked mid-day for lunch or whatever.

Fridge/solar/aux battery really takes the whole experience up a notch - especially with a kid that loves yogurt and cereal.

 

[Mike NXP]

I can't speak for other setups, but I had the ARB 50 qt, a solar panel on the roof, DCDC charger, 36 Amp-hour aux battery. It stayed right at 34F all day every day for 4-5 days. I drove lots so it was only running off the solar/aux setup overnight and while parked mid-day for lunch or whatever.

Fridge/solar/aux battery really takes the whole experience up a notch - especially with a kid that loves yogurt and cereal.

=] Yeah for sure, I like the idea of it for sure. Think I am just riding the fine line of stuff I actually need VS want. Til then I will just make due with a cooler and some ice, what a rough life eh?

 

[suprarx7nut]

=] Yeah for sure, I like the idea of it for sure. Think I am just riding the fine line of stuff I actually need VS want. Til then I will just make due with a cooler and some ice, what a rough life eh?

Absolutely. My LX came with the fridge, solar, battery and charger so I never had to make that initial investment to dive in. I've replaced the solar panel and redid all the wiring, but the big $$ purchases were essentially made for me. Now that I have it though.... it would be really annoying to do a trip without it.

 

[Gazziza]

=] Yeah for sure, I like the idea of it for sure. Think I am just riding the fine line of stuff I actually need VS want. Til then I will just make due with a cooler and some ice, what a rough life eh?

Needs vs wants but I'll tell you it's a game changer. It's hard to go back to a regular cooler. I think the straw that broke the camels back was when I went on a 5 day trip to Tahoe with my expensive rotomolded cooler and the ice melted and re-froze on itself. Ended up having to bust up the ice to get to the contents on the bottom. Got a fridge after that and never looked back. Granted I could have just got new ice at any local gas station there which I did. Another thing is that they work great for just daily use. If you're doing errands for the day you never have to worry about remembering to bring the cooler/ice or having to go home right away so your meat and dairy don't spoil.

There are plenty of cheaper alternatives dual battery systems as well. You can get one of the goal zero or jackery lithium battery units to power the fridge. They work pretty well and you can just charge them while driving. Best thing is that they're portable so you move the battery around for whatever use you need. Right now I'm using on of the Dometic PLB40 battery units and it works really well. Can probably power my 35L fridge for 2-3 days. I'd say that if you upgrade your stock battery to a Group 27 or 31 and got a portable lithium battery pack you've accomplished 90% of a dual battery system minus the ability to jump yourself or do extra long winch pulls but without the complexity and cost of a dual battery system. Add in a solar panel/blanket and you'll have power for the entire trip.