For those of us who are not lucky enough to win 1 or 2 ARB fridges (or not rich enough like Sailor to buy one), can anyone recommend a plug in cooler from the likes of Canadian Crap?
Yeah, there is no such thing as a good cheap fridge/freezer. The Canadian Tire and similar "fridges" are not very efficient. Of course it doesn't help that you want to buy something now when the dollar is doing so great. I'D recommend sticking to ice until the dollar does better and keep your fingers crossed at the raffle. I'got the Dometic/Waeco, I've had it for a while and when I purchased it, it was the least expensive option out there. Won't buy another one again. After a few years the temp sensor died, apparently a common issue, and replacing it was a nightmare. Damn thing still doesn't read and operate 100%. When you do get one, get a good one
If you guys can vote at the March meeting on whether we should have a fridge for the raffle at Cruiser Days, July 23 this year, that would be great. (as opposed to a winch or other large prize)
We have enough finances to cover it, so we're good there.
"Was up in Darwin a couple years back and had to take our engel to the local repair shop as the 240 volt power supply was blown out by a lightning strike that struck the power box that we were plugged into.
The surprising part was that when we got to the repairer there was 30 + Waecos on the floor all to be fixed and was told that it keeps him in business.
Ours was the only Engel in the shop and he said he only got one to repair every now and then and mainly due to the same issue as ours."
I believe that was Mike McT's last fridge - he got 3-4 years out it. False economy if you think you are saving $ on a fridge that only lasts a short while - no resale on that one. My Engel was pounded for 6 years in my 74 and it still ran fine when I said goodbye to it last June. Quality pays junk doesn't.
I believe that was Mike McT's last fridge - he got 3-4 years out it. False economy if you think you are saving $ on a fridge that only lasts a short while - no resale on that one. My Engel was pounded for 6 years in my 74 and it still ran fine when I said goodbye to it last June. Quality pays junk doesn't.
I go on long adventure trips and have the time - so this may not apply to your situation.
If you remember the BJ74 had a custom built fridge/Puma rack positioned above the rear wheel hump. That fridge served me well, but for trips over 4-5 days I found it too small. Also being tall they are hard to get into and everything has to be carefully vertically stacked to minimize food damage on rough roads (very important). By the way, those two top baskets that are available are great to keep easily damaged food from disintegrating on long rough trails and provide quick access for sandwich makings at lunch stop. To enhance the sale of the 74 I sold the Engel with the truck, which on hindsight I should not have done -- as they have gone up in price considerably.
Since the plan for the 80 was to include long haul trips to Utah, Death Valley, etc. for up to 3 weeks at a time I needed a bigger fridge and a freezer. As you know the styrofoam meat containers waste a lot of space and I use to repackage meat in smaller bags to minimize storage space, but no matter what - fresh meat does not last more than 4-5 days. Now I can now use the vacuum sealer and freeze at home then load my freezer before a trip. The big advantage is I never go without good meat/fish after 5 days and I am not reliant on purchases of questionable quality and freshness from small towns along the way. Unused meat I can take home. For example there is no fresh meat available on Hwy 20 between Williams Lake and Bella Coola (500 km). Another big treat is Nothing beats ice cream - 5 days on the trail and 200 miles from the closest store. The fellow that runs Adventure Ready in Seattle had the Engel 60 Combi in his 80 and he was very happy with it. Another small advantage is the Engel is not as tall as the others and I can get into both sections without having to kneel on the tail gate when the ground behind the truck low. I bought the Engel 60 Combi which is a fridge and freezer from Stevenson Marine at the old price last year which is not much higher than the price this year for the standard 50 l model. All the fridges have gone up in price with the higher US dollar as has all Cruiser and camping equipment.
I've had an Engel fridge for the last 6 years. Runs great on 24V / 12V / 110 V.
I sleep beside it and it's so quiet that it doesn't keep me awake at night. I use
it on 24V all night and no problem with my batteries in the morning. Over the
long haul, you can't beat quality.
