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Camping Fridge/Freezer Setups

Discussion in 'Outdoors' started by Krezz, Mar 25, 2019.

  1. Jul 23, 2021 at 2:06 PM
    #121
    dittothat

    dittothat New Member

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    I would search around and try to find a deal on an iceco. You’ll be replacing that fridge in a year or so with those cheap compressors
     
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  2. Jul 31, 2021 at 12:32 PM
    #122
    Unclebuck

    Unclebuck New Member

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    I know this is an old post, and I totally agree with some of your observations. As others have said - a decent fridge setup can be done for much less than $3K.

    For me, a dual battery redarc setup with a 170ah LiFePO4 battery (battery can also be moved to a homemade DC battery pack) with solar and a fridge is the only option for every place I camp. I don't want to have to drive 45 min -2 hours (1 way) when I am camping just to get ice. I tried using Yeti's and RTIC coolers and was less than impressed with simple ice retention tests. Sold the overhyped/priced Yeti and kept the RTIC for times when I need a cooler.

    I typically camp 40-60 days a year (split between tent and travel trailer) so the investment was a no brainer. I still sometimes carry a cooler with ice and beers when tent camping with a group of buddies and we know that a fridge wont keep up with making ice or chilling beers fast enough...But I will never go back to not having a fridge as my primary fridge/freezer. If you have one permanently mounted in the cab/bed and always powered (had a cab setup on my old Tacoma and soon to be on the Tundra) it makes it convenient to always have a chilled area if you did some grocery shopping and have some perishables that you need to keep cold while you run other errands.
     
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  3. Jul 31, 2021 at 2:13 PM
    #123
    Terndrerrr

    Terndrerrr guzzling dealer repellent

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    Here’s mine. Everything fits under the bed cover. Stealth camper.

    Waited until the fridge was 20% off. Wired up a cheap dual battery setup to keep the fridge happy.
    7BA98A06-1E31-4830-B456-BB2724D869DF.jpg
     
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  4. Aug 23, 2021 at 8:34 AM
    #124
    logtiger

    logtiger New Member

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    I have a Dometic 65 cfx that I like quite a bit. Doesn't have a separate freezer, but its very efficient. Only issue I have is that when I run it off my Yeti 1500, I have to use the AC inverter, because the Dometic's low voltage cut-off is a bit high (not a bad thing if you're running off your main batt. The inverter only adds 4-5 watts, so not a big deal.
     
  5. Aug 23, 2021 at 9:27 AM
    #125
    Wallygator

    Wallygator Well Zippedy Da Do!

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    Have been kicking around how to mount my fridge in the bed cuz I don't like to drill holes but sometimes it's unavoidable....Did you drill holes to mount the plywood and if so how many? Thanks.
     
  6. Aug 23, 2021 at 12:04 PM
    #126
    Terndrerrr

    Terndrerrr guzzling dealer repellent

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    I did not. I fastened that plywood to the bed using the 4 bed bolts toward the rear of the bed. Then I drilled into the plywood to mount my slide to it. No new holes in the bed. :headbang:
     
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  7. Aug 23, 2021 at 12:27 PM
    #127
    Warreng

    Warreng New Member

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    I recently got a cfx45, went on a 6 day trip and realized solar is pretty mich useless when camping in the shade (most of our camping) so I Bought a 150ah battery which should go without charge for 5 days give or take.
    With sun, my 50ah AGM battery could go forever with a 100watt panel. Pretty cool.
    My partner and i both agree the cooler is the best camping addition since gettig a warm sleeping bag.
    45 liter size is plenty for 2 people (beer /food) we could go for 4 days without shopping
     
  8. Aug 23, 2021 at 1:45 PM
    #128
    Wallygator

    Wallygator Well Zippedy Da Do!

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    Nice! :thumbsup:
     
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  9. Dec 9, 2021 at 9:18 PM
    #129
    TundraRV

    TundraRV New Member

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    Love this clean, design!

    Looking to do a fridge in my truck next. Most likely doing a rear seat install / maybe in the bedcap.
    Right now have a Yeti 400 Lithium power pack & 100W solar to keep the Yeti charged.... should be enough juice to power a Dometic CFX 35?

    Does anyone make fridge platforms for our trucks if not, guess I'll go custom.

    Thanks!
     
  10. Dec 10, 2021 at 11:01 AM
    #130
    Wallygator

    Wallygator Well Zippedy Da Do!

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    I made a cheap platform myself out some spare stuff I had laying around. Details in my build thread. Link in the sig
     
  11. Feb 21, 2022 at 4:07 PM
    #131
    MadMaxCanon

    MadMaxCanon New Member

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    Too many, but not enough....
    I know this is an old thread but I just started looking at fridges and this one is the one I will likely go with. Amazon has a 3 year no questions asked replacement program for 35 bucks. I have used their warranties before and its always a super smooth transaction. For 300 bucks, I think its worth a shot to get guaranteed 3 years out of it versus 1000+. With the money saved can get a Jackery and panels and still be under the price of the ARB.
     
  12. Feb 21, 2022 at 8:06 PM
    #132
    Cruzer

    Cruzer Wheeling Full Size

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    DON’T DO IT!!!!!! That fridge sucked! It died on me on the way to T2S - just highway driving.
     
  13. Feb 21, 2022 at 8:10 PM
    #133
    MadMaxCanon

    MadMaxCanon New Member

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    Too many, but not enough....
    Damn, did you return it or get warranty?
     
  14. Feb 21, 2022 at 8:24 PM
    #134
    BayRunner

    BayRunner I’m here, except when I’m not

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    I went with an Iceeco. It’s a good compromise between the junk Cheepos and the high end Dometic/ARB. Iceeco’s use good compressors.

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088M3NQY...colid=2XGG9ZCRUXEA1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1
     
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  15. Feb 21, 2022 at 8:26 PM
    #135
    Cruzer

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    No. Didn’t even bother cuz it’s just garbage
     
  16. Feb 21, 2022 at 9:51 PM
    #136
    helidave

    helidave hellacopter

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  17. Feb 22, 2022 at 1:43 AM
    #137
    MadMaxCanon

    MadMaxCanon New Member

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    Too many, but not enough....
  18. Feb 22, 2022 at 1:44 AM
    #138
    MadMaxCanon

    MadMaxCanon New Member

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    Too many, but not enough....
    This looks pretty tempting with the 5 year protection plan. No complaints at all?
     
  19. Feb 22, 2022 at 1:46 AM
    #139
    MadMaxCanon

    MadMaxCanon New Member

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    Too many, but not enough....
    Damn the reviews looked promising. I would say you broke it going sideways probably but there's probably only so much damage you could have done on a paved road lol
     
  20. Feb 22, 2022 at 6:38 AM
    #140
    BayRunner

    BayRunner I’m here, except when I’m not

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    A very good deal if you ask me. Personally, I would not take a chance on the cheap ones because the compressors are cheaply made. The Iceeco uses Secop compressors which are very reliable. The last thing you want is to out on a trip and your food go bad.
     
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  21. Feb 22, 2022 at 7:00 AM
    #141
    MadMaxCanon

    MadMaxCanon New Member

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    Too many, but not enough....
    True, I see they have a 5 year compressor warranty too and Amazon has a seperate 5 year replacement plan as well so thats essentially 10 year warranty. I think Ill go this route.
     
  22. Feb 22, 2022 at 7:45 AM
    #142
    helidave

    helidave hellacopter

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    No, not really. I had it throw an error code and turn off once an while ago, but it turned right back on and only did it that one time. Other than that, no issues. If you have the budget for one with a danfoss/seacop compressor you should get that.
     
  23. Feb 22, 2022 at 7:55 AM
    #143
    RCwyoming

    RCwyoming New Member

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    With my 30+ years of camping, I think You are still going to need coolers. Drinks, left overs, etc. take up a lot of space. I found sheep skins or heavy wool blankets on the coolers provide more insulation and keep the ice longer. Extra insulation would work for your refrigerators too.
     
  24. Feb 22, 2022 at 8:01 AM
    #144
    MadMaxCanon

    MadMaxCanon New Member

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    Too many, but not enough....
    Yeah I was actually planning on still using a cooler for exactly the type of stuff you mentioned. The ice coolers have worked fine for me on a typical camping trip, but I didnt trust them for meat for longer than a day or 2. I usually would take 2 coolers, so I can drop one for the freezer. The freezer's main draw would be for stuff like meat.
     
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  25. Feb 22, 2022 at 8:02 AM
    #145
    MadMaxCanon

    MadMaxCanon New Member

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    Too many, but not enough....
    Yeah, I saw that the Iceco ones come with the secop/danfoss compressors and their made in germany so I am ok with paying a couple hundred more for a quality compressor. Just couldnt rationalize 1000+ for the dometic or ARB.
     
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  26. Feb 22, 2022 at 8:12 AM
    #146
    helidave

    helidave hellacopter

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    Another thing to consider is the size. Mine is a 42 liter/44 quart and I've had a weeks worth of food and drinks in it, but for the first few days of the trip you end up playing tetris every time you want to get something out. You can take a lot more stuff when you don't have to worry about ice melting or food spoiling, but that means it fills up fast.
     
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  27. Feb 22, 2022 at 8:47 AM
    #147
    RCwyoming

    RCwyoming New Member

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    The RTIC coolers from Walmart are made with the same technology as the yeti coolers and cost less. (Business partners split over issues)
     
  28. Feb 22, 2022 at 9:01 AM
    #148
    BayRunner

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    I agree. I really wanted a Dometic but could not justify the cost. So far I’ve been happy with the Iceeco and fits perfectly behind the passenger seat.
     
  29. Feb 22, 2022 at 9:22 AM
    #149
    MadMaxCanon

    MadMaxCanon New Member

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    Too many, but not enough....
    I actually have other RTIC products, a few of their steel insulated water jugs and they are awesome products, high quality and work extremely well.
     
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  30. Feb 23, 2022 at 11:45 AM
    #150
    Cruzer

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    I bought....well, I tried to buy a Dometic fridge on Black Friday. First shipment arrived and it was cracked on a corner. Returned it and was sent a replacement. The replacement arrived cracked as well. Returned, replaced and the 3rd unit was cracked again. I gave up and requested a refund. Dometic refunded me and said I didn't have to return the damaged fridge o_O Now I have a cracked fridge that still works and has survived 2 wheeling trips
    :benchpress: The way the units are packaged suck.. just the fridge in a cardboard box, no foam, no nothing. But I give them mad props for building something very durable, I am definitely a fan.
     
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