If cost was not an issue, what would you buy? I've looked at Icee-Cool from NRS and Yeti (formerly Icee-tek) from numerous vendors. Anything else I should be looking at?? Thanks.
Ultimate cooler/ice chest??
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If cost was not an issue, I'd buy a 12v fridge/freezer.
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Not having any experience with the 12v frige/freezers I initially dismissed them figuring they probably weren't that good. However a quick search here suggests I may need to give it some more thought. I'll be working in AZ and NM for a year or so need something good and dependable.
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So how well do the true fridge/freezers work sitting in the back of a truck?
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What do you mean? The heat? or mounting wise?
They do fine with heat. 2 Trips ago it was 100 degrees in the SoCal desert and our ARB Freezer fridge did fine keeping our food/drinks cold. Also, another person on the same trip with the same fridge had theirs cranked with ice cream in it for later that night. No problems whatsoever. If your asking about how they do mounting in the back of a pickup truck.. there are various types of mounting products for that application. They work just fine anywhere.
Do a search and you should find some good info.
It's hard to go back to ice once you've gone with a fridge.
They do fine with heat. 2 Trips ago it was 100 degrees in the SoCal desert and our ARB Freezer fridge did fine keeping our food/drinks cold. Also, another person on the same trip with the same fridge had theirs cranked with ice cream in it for later that night. No problems whatsoever. If your asking about how they do mounting in the back of a pickup truck.. there are various types of mounting products for that application. They work just fine anywhere.
Do a search and you should find some good info.
It's hard to go back to ice once you've gone with a fridge.
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I was talking about the heat - sitting in the back of a pickup in the sun. I'm still thinking about it but now I'm seriously considering an engle. Thanks for the comments.
I've only had my Engel for a little over a week, but so far it has done fine in the bed of my truck. I pretty much leave it running 24/7 between the 1 and 2 setting. I use it every day to keep soda, water, and my lunch cold.
I do have a fiberglass camper shell, so it is mostly out of direct sun and dust, but it gets pretty warm in the shell even with the windows vented. I do have the transit bag for extra insulation. So far so good.
Edit: Today is the hottest day I've had the fridge. Ambient air temp is around 117 F inside the camper shell, the fridge is set to 1.5 and is holding steady around 35 F.
I do have a fiberglass camper shell, so it is mostly out of direct sun and dust, but it gets pretty warm in the shell even with the windows vented. I do have the transit bag for extra insulation. So far so good.
Edit: Today is the hottest day I've had the fridge. Ambient air temp is around 117 F inside the camper shell, the fridge is set to 1.5 and is holding steady around 35 F.
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Who has the best prices on the Engels and ideally with free shipping in the lower 48?
Thanks
Thanks
Trunk Monkey
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compactappliance.com, they offer 10% off every now and then for a sale (pretty frequently) and free shipping.
Engle fridge freeze, best in class, will freeze as well as keep cool limitlessly, best price, BigFrogMountain.com. located in Tennessee, ships directly from Engle in Fla.
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Just checked ebay - compact appliances has the 64 qt listed buy it now for $999 (vs $1099 at BFM) and the 84 qt for $1149 (which BFM doesn't list) - all with free ship.
Exiled
SILVER Star
Make sure you do your homework on the size. The 60 qt is *huge*, and the 80 qt (same footprint but taller) is absolutely enormous. You'll need two people to move an 80 qt around.
For reference, I have the 45 qt. and it's more than enough for a 4-5 day trip for two people. I've used the 60 qt on longer trips, and it was more than enough.
cooler
I habe a ARB 45 and an Engle 15 and they work great. Check out Cruiseroutfitters.com. Kurt beat everyone else when I bought my Engle 15.
No need to carry ice except for cocktails.
I habe a ARB 45 and an Engle 15 and they work great. Check out Cruiseroutfitters.com. Kurt beat everyone else when I bought my Engle 15.
No need to carry ice except for cocktails.
Just another testimony for the 12v fridge/freeze: I've had my Waeco 51 for 2+years...took me along time to finally pull trigger...due to the $$$ involved. But like everyone that posted up for me said: This will be your favorite accessory hands down! And I agree 100%! No more soggy anything...and no more ice reloads on multi-day trips or multi-day base camping!
The only negative I have found, since I have mine in my LC: The compressor's heat output on a 90+ degree day makes a shut parked vehicle that much hotter...and the A/C takes a bit longer to get the cabin cooled down and maintained...
The only negative I have found, since I have mine in my LC: The compressor's heat output on a 90+ degree day makes a shut parked vehicle that much hotter...and the A/C takes a bit longer to get the cabin cooled down and maintained...
Grench
SILVER Star
Now... If $1000 is a bit more than you wanted to keep your beer cold...
Igloo makes some 5 day coolers that are very nice. I have two of them and they've done nicely. If you get a standard ice based cooler, look for the '5 day' models. The 'standard' ones don't cut it.
That said, I dream of having an Engle/ARB/Norcold.
Igloo makes some 5 day coolers that are very nice. I have two of them and they've done nicely. If you get a standard ice based cooler, look for the '5 day' models. The 'standard' ones don't cut it.
That said, I dream of having an Engle/ARB/Norcold.
portable cooler vs fridge
I picked up a portable cooler from my local auto parts store (or walmart) for about 80$. it has an internal power supply and temperature setting down to 35 degrees. i'll try to get a pic of it up but i am an internet noob. It does ok keeping it's temp untill you get to about 80 degrees, then it can't hold below 50 and burns up its own poer in less than an hour. It may be assisted by putting a frozen pack in it, but it already hurts for space. Having used this one for over a year now in Socal area offroading and beach camping, i'd say i am definetly going to be purchasing an engel fridge. Maybe the cooler type is still good for people with a tighter budget, or who live in cooler climates.
I picked up a portable cooler from my local auto parts store (or walmart) for about 80$. it has an internal power supply and temperature setting down to 35 degrees. i'll try to get a pic of it up but i am an internet noob. It does ok keeping it's temp untill you get to about 80 degrees, then it can't hold below 50 and burns up its own poer in less than an hour. It may be assisted by putting a frozen pack in it, but it already hurts for space. Having used this one for over a year now in Socal area offroading and beach camping, i'd say i am definetly going to be purchasing an engel fridge. Maybe the cooler type is still good for people with a tighter budget, or who live in cooler climates.
Say hello to my little friend!
http://www.cooler-store.com/engel_12_volt_cooler_84qt_1330_prd1.htm?ref=sp
http://www.cooler-store.com/engel_12_volt_cooler_84qt_1330_prd1.htm?ref=sp
HOLY MEAT LOCKER BATMAN