ARB Fridge question
- Thread starter HB 4X4
- Start date
teotwaki
Excelsior!
I'm sold, ordering the transit bag now.
Thanks for all of the replies, I am surprised how many there were.
You already knew I had a transit cover! :sombrero:
007
Explorer
Yes I am! And I'm really glad to meet people that actually do this stuff :ylsmoke:
Can't wait for some trips!
cruiseroutfit
Well-known member
Sounds like a neat Overland Journal test. Does the transit bag noticeably increase the efficiency of the Freezer-Fridge? 
For me its more a factor of protecting the unit. My ARB 35 is ~5 years old and still cleans up nicely when outside of the transit bag. I do have the gray Engel transit bag though I really wish I would have hung onto an ARB transit bag, I sold them all before remembering to grab one for myself and the Engel cover works, just isn't ideal.
For reference here some older pictures I took of the differences between the Engel and ARB covers, keep in mind the ARB cover has not been available for ~4 years and these are actually older than that as they are shown on an ARB 35 which was discontinued ~5 years ago.
Engel Cover (still their current offering). Full perimeter zipper, one piece design
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ARB's discontinued cover (though similar to the cover offered for their new freezer)
.jpg)
I should grab a picture of mine now, its been through years of snow, mud, dust & dirt, almost always sitting in the elements when out on trips (back of my 40 or back or my Tacoma). The transit bag is pretty beat but does clean up nice with a vacuum and pressure washer
For me its more a factor of protecting the unit. My ARB 35 is ~5 years old and still cleans up nicely when outside of the transit bag. I do have the gray Engel transit bag though I really wish I would have hung onto an ARB transit bag, I sold them all before remembering to grab one for myself and the Engel cover works, just isn't ideal.
For reference here some older pictures I took of the differences between the Engel and ARB covers, keep in mind the ARB cover has not been available for ~4 years and these are actually older than that as they are shown on an ARB 35 which was discontinued ~5 years ago.
Engel Cover (still their current offering). Full perimeter zipper, one piece design
ARB's discontinued cover (though similar to the cover offered for their new freezer)
I should grab a picture of mine now, its been through years of snow, mud, dust & dirt, almost always sitting in the elements when out on trips (back of my 40 or back or my Tacoma). The transit bag is pretty beat but does clean up nice with a vacuum and pressure washer
Corey
OverCamping Specialist
I may have to break out my bag, if just for the sake of the motor cycling when I try to sleep.
The fridge is in my rig, but when the motor kicks in at night, the sound travels through the tubes of my roof rack, and then transfer to the base of the roof top tent.
Not worried about it helping with the battery though, I use solar to keeps the batteries juiced up.
The fridge is in my rig, but when the motor kicks in at night, the sound travels through the tubes of my roof rack, and then transfer to the base of the roof top tent.
Not worried about it helping with the battery though, I use solar to keeps the batteries juiced up.
cruiseroutfit
Well-known member
One more aspect for the Overland Journal test, noise suppression/sound deadening. While the motor vents are open in the cover designs I wouldn't be surprised to see that the transit bag helps 'muffle' them a bit?
teotwaki
Excelsior!
Engel Cover (still their current offering). Full perimeter zipper, one piece design
ARB's discontinued cover (though similar to the cover offered for their new freezer)
I like the fact that the ARB cover offers easier access to the latch but I dislike that the side panels have a gap to the cover piece on the lid. The Engel would win out in terms of trapping air within the cover and probably better thermal efficiency if the R factor of both covers' insulation were the same.
Corey
OverCamping Specialist
I hope so, as I am a light sleeper.
Now I have to dig out the T Bag and see how it installs.
Oh crap, I did do the hinge modification to my fridge.
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=276899&postcount=9
The lid may or may not work now with the T Bag.
cruiseroutfit
Well-known member
Very true, it really comes down to usability. The Engel cover can be a bit of a pain with the zipper and the maneuvering you have to do to open the latch, but it does seal it up nice and tight.
The ARB one became popular with Kevin Rowland came up with the kit to make the lid open sideways instead of the standard configuration. There was really no way to make it work with the Engel cover but with a bit of minor stitching the ARB cover was right at home on a sideways opening lid. I can't remember which size Kevin was working with (wanna say he bought the 45?) but it really made for a great setup with the lid designed as such.
cruiseroutfit
Well-known member
Remind me which fridge and cover you have?
The threads you just linked to are the exact ones I was referring to where Kevin reworked the hinges
Cabrito
I come in Peace
I originally wanted the ARB cover but could not find them so I got the Engel cover.
I also liked the accessibility of the ARB bag over the Engel to get to the latch.
I would like to get my hands on one of the ARB ones.
Question about the ARB bag top section. Is it flexible? The Engel one is rigid and can be a pain when using the two zone.
I also liked the accessibility of the ARB bag over the Engel to get to the latch.
I would like to get my hands on one of the ARB ones.
Question about the ARB bag top section. Is it flexible? The Engel one is rigid and can be a pain when using the two zone.
cruiseroutfit
Well-known member
Yes, more so than the Engel for sure. Plus they are only attached to the lid so for use with the Two-Zone they would be ideal.
Unfortunately finding the older ARB TBAG's would be a task, only luck is finding someone with one sitting on the shelf.
Corey
OverCamping Specialist
I have the old style ARB fridge that is like the Engel 45, and the bag.Remind me which fridge and cover you have?
The threads you just linked to are the exact ones I was referring to where Kevin reworked the hinges
45 model I think, same as the Engel though.