Fridge (and accessory) recommendations

[bicycleagent003]

I have this same fridge... do you have photos of it mounted? Does it sit on drawers?

Mine's just on the Dometic slide, with a 4X4 Labs jerry can holder on the left, and my DIY sleep platform on the right which sits above 2 medium size Rubbermaid bins. The bed does not rest on the bins, it sits on the front end on the folded halfway down second row seat, and then at the back end on 2 adjustable table legs I bought off Amazon. The bins hold all my food, utensils, pots, etc., in the rearmost one, and recovery gear in the forward one. Hope that helps.

 

[Gazziza]

Personally I'd recommend a mid-range fridge from Dometic or Iceco. They all really run the same compressors anyways. For reference I have a National Luna 50L Weekender that I've had a lot of trouble with over the last 2-3 years. Poor cooling performance, temperature instability, and spoiled food on two big trips. Temps would go from 1C - 8C and the compressor would just constantly run all night long and kill my lithium battery. It was so unreliable that I just used my Dometic CFX35 for trips and relegated it to house duty. Contacted Equipt and had a so-so experience with them. I told them exactly what was going on and told him I'd set the temp to 3C and would see wild temp swings form 1-8C and the guy literally said that within normal limits of temperature variance. For reference 1C to 8C is 33F to 46F. Your meat gets spoiled at 46F and unsafe to eat at that point. Anyways the guy was pretty dismissive but I was persistent about it and literally had to just tell him look I'm dropping off the fridge at your warehouse and it needs to be fixed. So on a trip back from Moab when all my food got spoiled I dropped off the fridge at their HQ. Got a call next week and the guy said the internal fan was broken and that's why the fridge wasn't working correctly. Unfortunately it was out of warranty so that was a $150 cost for the fan + labor.

I understand that all products can fail any some point but this a NL fridge that's supposed to be creme de la creme and it was no better than my mid range Dometic which has been rock solid for like 5 years now. It didn't help that the rep at Equipt acted like I was the idiot and was told the fridge was working "normally" only to found out the fan was broken and that I'd have to eat the $150 cost to fix it on top of the premium price. Unless you're doing humanitarian aid and just camping like the rest of us, I'd recommend saving the money from premium brand fridges and get a solid mid range one that goes on sale at multiple retailers.

 

[linuxgod]

Loving my Iceco VL60S (single zone). They also have a VL65D (dual zone). Fits nicely in the trunk with space to put a lithium power pack between it and the 2nd row. Keep an eye on eBay for refurbished ones from rv_freezing which seem to be brand new returned ones which pop up for half price

 

[lx200inAR]

Loving my Iceco VL60S (single zone). They also have a VL65D (dual zone). Fits nicely in the trunk with space to put a lithium power pack between it and the 2nd row. Keep an eye on eBay for refurbished ones from rv_freezing which seem to be brand new returned ones which pop up for half price

Move quickly if you find one...I spent too many days deliberating on a n APL55 model they had for about 50% off. When I finally went back to get it, they were gone and haven't been back. I ended up getting a refurb Ecoflow Glacier. Haven't actually used it in the field yet, just making sure it works now keeping a case of expensive beer cold. I have an older IceCo model that has worked flawlessly, so hoping the EcoFlow will keep up. I wanted to try out dual zone. Last camping trip I wanted to keep some ice cold for a few days, so it was a constant battle keeping the cooler cold enough to keep the ice, but not so cold that it froze everything else.

 

[linuxgod]

Move quickly if you find one...I spent too many days deliberating on a n APL55 model they had for about 50% off. When I finally went back to get it, they were gone and haven't been back. I ended up getting a refurb Ecoflow Glacier. Haven't actually used it in the field yet, just making sure it works now keeping a case of expensive beer cold. I have an older IceCo model that has worked flawlessly, so hoping the EcoFlow will keep up. I wanted to try out dual zone. Last camping trip I wanted to keep some ice cold for a few days, so it was a constant battle keeping the cooler cold enough to keep the ice, but not so cold that it froze everything else.

No small options but they have the dual zone 90 for $489

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[Rigster]

No small options but they have the dual zone 90 for $489

Pardon Our Interruption...

That is a steal at that price. I have the ICECO Pro75D and this is the 4th year I have been running it. The only complaint would be it is so solid it is too heavy to move for one person easily, but both the fridge and freezer sides have baskets that you can pull out to move it, then just slide the baskets back in. Real back saver.

They are made with a german compressor with a 5yr warranty as well.

 

[linuxgod]

That is a steal at that price. I have the ICECO Pro75D and this is the 4th year I have been running it. The only complaint would be it is so solid it is too heavy to move for one person easily, but both the fridge and freezer sides have baskets that you can pull out to move it, then just slide the baskets back in. Real back saver.

They are made with a german compressor with a 5yr warranty as well.

I think every big fridge weighs similarly to much for one person to handle. My 60 is still probably 60#. But yeah that 90 is a beast. I would only want it if I knew I’d be off grid a week at a time. It’s a big sacrifice on space. Probably would be cool under a bench seat in a camper van though

The thing I dislike about the dual zone is that a lot of space is used for the freezer. I really want a 75/25 or 80/20 setup which is mostly fridge. KickAss was about the only one I saw that might have suited my annoying need to tweak everything I own.

On long trips we will freeze chicken, burgers, etc but the majority of my usage is keeping drinks and sandwich stuff cold. So I went with the single zone 60 because truth be told I can get to a store in 3-4 days and to restock anyway… and when I do want to keep stuff for 2 weeks we typically have the trailer and will use that mainly and the truck is mostly drinks and lunch stuff.

 

[bloc]

For the Iceco owners, does the basket in yours rattle around during driving? If so any concerns with that and the interior texture rubbing the powder coat off? Any solutions?

I’m considering trying to find some kind of rubber wrap to put around the wire to quiet things down and reduce chafing.

 

[Rigster]

I think every big fridge weighs similarly to much for one person to handle. My 60 is still probably 60#. But yeah that 90 is a beast. I would only want it if I knew I’d be off grid a week at a time. It’s a big sacrifice on space. Probably would be cool under a bench seat in a camper van though

The thing I dislike about the dual zone is that a lot of space is used for the freezer. I really want a 75/25 or 80/20 setup which is mostly fridge. KickAss was about the only one I saw that might have suited my annoying need to tweak everything I own.

On long trips we will freeze chicken, burgers, etc but the majority of my usage is keeping drinks and sandwich stuff cold. So I went with the single zone 60 because truth be told I can get to a store in 3-4 days and to restock anyway… and when I do want to keep stuff for 2 weeks we typically have the trailer and will use that mainly and the truck is mostly drinks and lunch stuff.

Agreed, they simply split the cooler in the middle, cutting it in half. At least they make the freezer side the side that has the compressor on it as that cuts out about 25 - 30% of the space availability of the freezer. I tend to head out every fall on a 2 week off grid trip exploring the back country wilderness of BC and I can pack enough for the whole trip (without the wife and kids.)

What is interesting is though the 2 sides are dual zone fridge/freezer, you can control the temperature on each side individually. So if you do not need or want a freezer on certain trips you can make the freezer a refrigerator. I am not sure if all the dual zone ICECO fridges do that or if it was a feature of the Pro-D version, so do your research.

Overall, I have been impressed with the product so far, and it is kind of neat to be able to pull out ice cream for the group part way through the trip on a hot day. Suddenly you are invited to every trip that is planned... lol.

 

[linuxgod]

Yes

For the Iceco owners, does the basket in yours rattle around during driving? If so any concerns with that and the interior texture rubbing the powder coat off? Any solutions?

I’m considering trying to find some kind of rubber wrap to put around the wire to quiet things down and reduce chafing.

Yes it’s rattly AF. I remove the basket except when in use. I assumed all fridges are similar?

I suspect some well placed rubber or padding would resolve the rattling. Just a bit of U-shaped edge moulding or some small rubber hose you slot lengthwise would probably work.

 

[bloc]

Yes

Yes it’s rattly AF. I remove the basket except when in use. I assumed all fridges are similar?

I suspect some well placed rubber or padding would resolve the rattling. Just a bit of U-shaped edge moulding or some small rubber hose you slot lengthwise would probably work.

Yeah I was thinking that or patches of thin rubber sheet with an adhesive backing in the corners of the fridge interior

Edit: or something like “sink grid rubber feet” on your favorite cheapo online retailer.

 

[linuxgod]

Agreed, they simply split the cooler in the middle, cutting it in half. At least they make the freezer side the side that has the compressor on it as that cuts out about 25 - 30% of the space availability of the freezer. I tend to head out every fall on a 2 week off grid trip exploring the back country wilderness of BC and I can pack enough for the whole trip (without the wife and kids.)

What is interesting is though the 2 sides are dual zone fridge/freezer, you can control the temperature on each side individually. So if you do not need or want a freezer on certain trips you can make the freezer a refrigerator. I am not sure if all the dual zone ICECO fridges do that or if it was a feature of the Pro-D version, so do your research.

Overall, I have been impressed with the product so far, and it is kind of neat to be able to pull out ice cream for the group part way through the trip on a hot day. Suddenly you are invited to every trip that is planned... lol.

The 65 I looked at I believe did. I considered it, but at the time it was only the 60S and 75D available refurbished - I didn’t want to spend the coin on a new 65 or give up the space the 75 required.

My only disappointment is that my model doesn’t use Bluetooth so I can’t remotely monitor the temp. Not a huge deal, but it would’ve been nice to have an alarm on my phone if the temp increased or the fridge shut off, as my Bluetti power station also doesn’t have a Bluetooth app.

 

[linuxgod]

Yeah I was thinking that or patches of thin rubber sheet with an adhesive backing in the corners of the fridge interior

I have some sound dampening adhesive foam but something which doesn’t absorb moisture would be better. Rubber hose would probably work but TBH some duct tape wrapped around the corners would probably also suffice

 

[Rigster]

For the Iceco owners, does the basket in yours rattle around during driving? If so any concerns with that and the interior texture rubbing the powder coat off? Any solutions?

I’m considering trying to find some kind of rubber wrap to put around the wire to quiet things down and reduce chafing.

I have never heard the fridge rattling in the years I have been running it, even coming back with it when it is a lot more empty. Maybe the roads I was on were not as rough or "washboarded" when you experienced this. The interior of the one have is a reflective aluminum, so no wearing of powder coat to worry about. That said, I do see where there are some scuffs where the basket sits, but not bad enough that I had ever worried about it. Some rubber bump stops/something to wrap around the the basket wire would definitely help with that. You would need a non marking rubber to avoid a mess in there.

 

[bloc]

I have never heard the fridge rattling in the years I have been running it, even coming back with it when it is a lot more empty. Maybe the roads I was on were not as rough or "washboarded" when you experienced this. The interior of the one have is a reflective aluminum, so no wearing of powder coat to worry about. That said, I do see where there are some scuffs where the basket sits, but not bad enough that I had ever worried about it. Some rubber bump stops/something to wrap around the the basket wire would definitely help with that. You would need a non marking rubber to avoid a mess in there.

I was actually thinking of the powder coat on the basket. Seems like the textured aluminum fridge interior would quickly get through the PC given the way most vehicles move.

And yes probably how full the basket is plays a large part. My one trip so far with a fridge it was almost empty for a good number of miles. But it wouldn’t need washboard at all in my case. Minor bumps on paved roads were enough.

 

[linuxgod]

I was actually thinking of the powder coat on the basket. Seems like the textured aluminum fridge interior would quickly get through the PC given the way most vehicles move.

And yes probably how full the basket is plays a large part. My one trip so far with a fridge it was almost empty for a good number of miles. But it wouldn’t need washboard at all in my case. Minor bumps on paved roads were enough.

With a fridge full of drinks and food the basket doesn’t rattle. Even just one layer of drinks is probably sufficient to quiet it.

 

[lx200inAR]

I think every big fridge weighs similarly to much for one person to handle. My 60 is still probably 60#. But yeah that 90 is a beast. I would only want it if I knew I’d be off grid a week at a time. It’s a big sacrifice on space. Probably would be cool under a bench seat in a camper van though

The thing I dislike about the dual zone is that a lot of space is used for the freezer. I really want a 75/25 or 80/20 setup which is mostly fridge. KickAss was about the only one I saw that might have suited my annoying need to tweak everything I own.

On long trips we will freeze chicken, burgers, etc but the majority of my usage is keeping drinks and sandwich stuff cold. So I went with the single zone 60 because truth be told I can get to a store in 3-4 days and to restock anyway… and when I do want to keep stuff for 2 weeks we typically have the trailer and will use that mainly and the truck is mostly drinks and lunch stuff.

The EcoFlow has a smaller freezer than fridge and also the divider is removable, so it can be a larger single zone when you don’t have ice cream. I think there are a few others with dividers.

 

[reddog90]

@linuxgod might have missed this elsewhere, but how do you power your fridge for extended trips like your Moab trip with that Bluetti? I have a GZ Yeti 1000 and it's good for 1.5-2 days normal usage. I'm thinking through a ~8 day trip next year and not sure how I should set this up. I have the yeti 12v car charging cable, don't have portable solar yet.

 

[linuxgod]

@linuxgod might have missed this elsewhere, but how do you power your fridge for extended trips like your Moab trip with that Bluetti? I have a GZ Yeti 1000 and it's good for 1.5-2 days normal usage. I'm thinking through a ~8 day trip next year and not sure how I should set this up. I have the yeti 12v car charging cable, don't have portable solar yet.

I ran wire to the trunk and have a fuse block which is triggered by a relay, so it’s only powered when the truck is running. The Bluetti is plugged into that. (I actually have a 12-24 DC converter inline but that’s only because the Bluetti has an 8.5A max input).

I have a portable solar panel but haven’t gotten it installed yet. Lack of time. When I do I’ll just swap between them as needed

 

[UPR LC]

@linuxgod might have missed this elsewhere, but how do you power your fridge for extended trips like your Moab trip with that Bluetti? I have a GZ Yeti 1000 and it's good for 1.5-2 days normal usage. I'm thinking through a ~8 day trip next year and not sure how I should set this up. I have the yeti 12v car charging cable, don't have portable solar yet.

If you start simple, you can plug the portable battery into your car's 12V plug. If you are driving most of the day, it will charge (slowly but it will charge). Having a 160W - 200W portable solar panel will charge the portable battery when you are not driving the car.

Doing the math: if your 1000 GZ has a capacity of 800 Watt-Hours, and you can run the fridge for 1.5 days (36 hours), then your average draw is roughly 25 Watts. Assuming you cannot use alternator charge or solar charge for 12 hours (night time), you will deplete your battery by 300 Watt-hours. In order to recharge your battery the next day, you would have to run the truck for 4 hours (100 watts charge - 25 watts draw = 75 watts net charge, 300WH/75W=4 hours). Then your solar panel can further charge your battery when the truck is off as long as the panel produces more than the 25 watts fridge draw.

This would be the simplest setup.

If you want to charge the portable battery faster while driving, you will need to do the DC-DC converter to go from the car 12V to 24V to charge the battery. This will require large power wire run from your car battery to inside the truck and is more complicated. Or you would need to install a permanent solar panel on your truck and run the wires to the portable battery so it charges while driving and while stopped.