ARB Roller Drawer/Roller Floor - 12 volt Fridge Options

[Will Van]

Hey Mud, I just installed a set of ARB/Outback Solutions drawers and wings in my 80 series. I am loving the setup and all of the storage options. I splurged for the combination drawer and top-slide setup on both drawers (RDRF1045), and the side-panel fit kit specifically for the 80 series.

I prefer the full height drawers because they work with the side-panel fit kit, whereas the "low profile" fridge slide will not work with the side-panel kit.

Regardless, I'm shopping for a 12 volt fridge/freezer to mount on top of the drawers, and would like your opinion and suggestions on which fridge to get, and how to secure it. My concern is access - the truck sits very tall with the 2.5" OME lift and 315 tires, plus the height of the drawers. Am I even going to be able to get inside the fridge? With the top slide pulled out, my Yeti hits the hatch before the lid fully opens. Even if I could get the lid fully open, is it going to be too tall to see what's inside the fridge?

Right now I am looking at the SnoMaster Classic Series 60 and the ARB Elements 63. I prefer all of the features on the SnoMaster, but I think the ARB will work better because the hinge is front-to-back rather than side-to-side (like the Yeti). Also, the ARB is practically the perfect dimensions to mount on top of the drawers.

I've also looked at several different drop-slide options, (Clearview Easy-Slide, Alu-Cab, DFG, Dunn & Watson, MSA, etc).

Unfortunately, they are really bulky and are significantly larger than the ARB slide top. I could make the narrow Snomaster Traveler Series "work," but then I'm installing a really small fridge just to make a drop-slide work. Plus, I would be doing a slide-on-a-slide with the Clearview Easy Slide mounted on top of the ARB slide.

I'm also probably going to get creative with some L-Track to strap the fridge to the ARB slide.

Anyway, opinions and pics of your setup are welcome! Thx!

 

[NateMob]

How tall are you? For me(5'7") and my wife(5'4"), in your situation, the only option would be a tilt slide. Whether from AluCab or DFG, not paying the obscene amount that people want for a drop slide. And with your roller top you'd get some awesome extension and access with a tilt slide coming out past the tailgate.

I've had my 50qt ARB fridge in 3 different rigs in five years and as long as its getting the electrical power it needs (hardlined to battery through ARB harness) it has never let me down.

 

[Will Van]

How tall are you? For me(5'7") and my wife(5'4"), in your situation, the only option would be a tilt slide. Whether from AluCab or DFG, not paying the obscene amount that people want for a drop slide. And with your roller top you'd get some awesome extension and access with a tilt slide coming out past the tailgate.

I've had my 50qt ARB fridge in 3 different rigs in five years and as long as its getting the electrical power it needs (hardlined to battery through ARB harness) it has never let me down.

I'm 6'-2", so I could probably make it work. But no one else will be able to get into the fridge. They'll have to crawl on top of the tailgate.

I've looked at tons of different tilt slides and drop slides. They're all dimensionally too wide. The width of the ARB drawers are only about 19-3/4" wide. The smallest Alu-Cab tilt slide is 21" wide. And that only accommodates the smallest sized fridges. Same with the drop slides. So I could make it work, but it would hang over onto the other slide on one side, and limit access to the wing compartment on the other side.

I guess my decision is, do I want a tilt/drop slide with access to a small fridge? Or do I want a large fridge that's hard to access with no tilt/drop slide?

 

[Overland Tailor]

I'm 5'9" and I have the Alu-Cab Tilt Slide. I use a small bungee to keep the lid open on my ARB and so far its been a good slide. Game changer for me as I'm short and would have to climb on the tailgate to see anything in the fridge.

 

[Will Van]

Actually, this MSA DS40 slide is dimensionally correct. It is only 19.6" wide and would fit on the ARB drawer. It will accommodate a SnoMaster Traveler 42S, or an ARB 47L (pictured).

 

[Will Van]

I'm 5'9" and I have the Alu-Cab Tilt Slide. I use a small bungee to keep the lid open on my ARB and so far its been a good slide. Game changer for me as I'm short and would have to climb on the tailgate to see anything in the fridge.

What size ARB fridge is that? What size Alu-Cab tilt slide? Does the Alu-Cab overhang on the passenger side wing compartment?

 

[80t0ylc]

Hey Mud, I just installed a set of ARB/Outback Solutions drawers and wings in my 80 series. I am loving the setup and all of the storage options. I splurged for the combination drawer and top-slide setup on both drawers (RDRF1045), and the side-panel fit kit specifically for the 80 series.........

.........Anyway, opinions and pics of your setup are welcome! Thx!

While the 2 drawers with wings and top slides looks impressive & balanced, it just wasn't practical for me. My logic for the Outback Solutions was to replace my flimsy plywood & Walmart storage bin setup, which worked but was crumbling with every bump...lol. I wanted sturdy accessible storage for road essentials and a slide out for a fridge. The wings are nice side covers, but would just get in the way, for me. They limit what you can store on the sides. The cargo barrier was an expensive bonus and as time goes on, it has shown to be useful, as well as a nice safety feature. I have mounted my inverter to it in front of my National Luna fridge/freezer & it's a nice place to store unused bungi cords.

Before, it was just flimsy:

 

[Will Van]

While the 2 drawers with wings and top slides looks impressive & balanced, it just wasn't practical for me. My logic for the Outback Solutions was to replace my flimsy plywood & Walmart storage bin setup, which worked but was crumbling with every bump...lol. I wanted sturdy accessible storage for road essentials and a slide out for a fridge. The wings are nice side covers, but would just get in the way, for me. They limit what you can store on the sides. The cargo barrier was an expensive bonus and as time goes on, it has shown to be useful, as well as a nice safety feature. I have mounted my inverter to it in front of my National Luna fridge/freezer & it's a nice place to store unused bungi cords.

View attachment 1701347

View attachment 1701348

Before, it was just flimsy:

View attachment 1701350

Thanks for the pics! I have been debating the cargo barrier as well, but I kinda like the option of being able to access items in the cargo area without getting out of the truck.

I vacillated a long time on weather or not to get the wings and top slides. Ultimately I'm glad I did, because I utilize all of the storage space and I think it looks cleaner for my needs. ARB also offers the option of tying the two top slides together, then you can put whatever size drop/tilt slide you want. But I'd like to save some room for L-track and ratcheting gear down on the second slide.

 

[Corbet]

Barriers are a great addition, I recommend this one. www.speskioffroad.com

I don't have the ARB drawers but my platform is very similar in height. I have the old reliable Engel MT45 fridge on a basic slide I sourced years ago from Adventure Trailers. My tuck sits on 35's with a 4" lift. At 6' tall its hard to see into it but I can. A drop/tilt slide would cure my issues but it has not been bad enough for me to drop the coin on said slide yet. My wife at 5'9" can not see into the fridge for reference. There is no opening the MT45 inside the truck. I have it pushed outboard as far as possible to maximize space for a 100lb dog. One side note a 5gal Scepter water can fits perfectly behind my fridge and in front of my barrier. I run a 12v submersible pump/faucet combo that I access from the side slider window for water. Link: Store

I want drawers but my platform system has done the trick for years so I haven't replaced it yet. It's got a steel frame bolted down to where the 3rd row seat brackets were. 3/4" plywood deck covered in carpet. Pretty substantial Action packers, toolbox and pelican cases reside under it.

 

[Qball]

Barriers are a great addition, I recommend this one. www.speskioffroad.com

I don't have the ARB drawers but my platform is very similar in height. I have the old reliable Engel MT45 fridge on a basic slide I sourced years ago from Adventure Trailers. My tuck sits on 35's with a 4" lift. At 6' tall its hard to see into it but I can. A drop/tilt slide would cure my issues but it has not been bad enough for me to drop the coin on said slide yet. My wife at 5'9" can not see into the fridge for reference. There is no opening the MT45 inside the truck. I have it pushed outboard as far as possible to maximize space for a 100lb dog. One side note a 5gal Scepter water can fits perfectly behind my fridge and in front of my barrier. I run a 12v submersible pump/faucet combo that I access from the side slider window for water.

I want drawers but my platform system has done the trick for years so I haven't replaced it yet. It's got a steel frame bolted down to where the 3rd row seat brackets were. 3/4" plywood deck covered in carpet. Pretty substantial Action packers, toolbox and pelican cases reside under it.

Does anyone make a barrier that can be easily folded up or moved out of the way when not in use?

 

[NateMob]

Raingler makes their net version for our trucks. Dont expect it to be cheaper than a metal one either!

Does anyone make a barrier that can be easily folded up or moved out of the way when not in use?

TOYOTA Landcruiser heavy-duty cargo netting

 

[bucketman]

Does anyone make a barrier that can be easily folded up or moved out of the way when not in use?

Not that I have found, except expanding metal gates like you would use for security on a storefront in the door or windows. I only found galvanized steel, but they aren’t too heavy. I’m concerned about the potential rattle. I decided to try a cargo style nylon web. I bought mine from www.safaristraps.com. It is one the way right now. I’m in the middle of a major build project so it won’t be installed for quite a while. I plan on installing it utilizing the 3rd row seat belt holes in the floor and the rear most grab handle bolt hole. They have straps on each corner with buckles so it can be easily removed or one side can be detached to access the cargo from the inside.

If you find anything that folds out of the way please post up.

 

[bucketman]

Here is an example of the expanding metal gates: Door Gate 33″ x 48″

 

[Dr Gil]

Raingler makes their net version for our trucks. Dont expect it to be cheaper than a metal one either!

TOYOTA Landcruiser heavy-duty cargo netting

I have the Raingler. Works perfect for dogs and heavy stuff not to become torpedoes.

 

[Qball]

Raingler makes their net version for our trucks. Dont expect it to be cheaper than a metal one either!

TOYOTA Landcruiser heavy-duty cargo netting

Thanks, but for 209 dollars plus shipping I expected it to have better execution. Over all fitment and design doesn't impress for the money, it looks like a jerry rigged cargo net from amazon.

What they have should of done is to make metal brackets on bolted to the handles and bottom seat bolts. Then on those brackets are the hook points for securing the cargo net. I don't see any other design that would provide proper fit and strength to catch heavy objects while remain relatively easy to attach or remove the cargo netting.

 

[Will Van]

ARB/Outback Solutions make a cargo barrier kit that mounts to the drawer system. I believe it also has several additional options for fridge divider and roof storage.

FlyingWil's FZJ80 Build thread...

 

[Corbet]

I’m concerned about the potential rattle.

Mine does not rattle, nor will it be chewed up if your pet has a habit of that.

 

[Corbet]

Does anyone make a barrier that can be easily folded up or moved out of the way when not in use?

Not Yet

 

[SirBrows]

Instead of trying to figure out how to get the fridge lower what about just traveling with a step? One step up should give you plenty of visibility down into the fridge for you or other companions.

I’ve seen these used for this exact scenario: ALU-BOX.com.

Obviously that’s overkill but you probably get the idea. Pack the thing with lightweight kitchen stuff or clothes and then use it as a fridge step when you need it or a camp seat. If you can find one that fits in your drawers even better!

 

[cavboy78]

fwiw, the lid on the arb 50qt is removable...