Engel 43 or 34 QT ?

[xcmountain80]

So it may be time to get a freezer fridge, I'm just not sure what sizes to get. This will live in the back of my 4Runner and well thats about it, we wont be out for more than a week at a time.

Aaron

 

[marc olivares]

FWIW, i have an ARB 35,
it's a few years old now, and i regret not getting the 45.

you cant sit full sized wine bottles upright in a 35/34
not that's the deal breaker for me, but it would be nice.
many of my friends have the 45, and i've yet to hear any of them utter the phrase:
"i wish my freezer was smaller"

 

[dd113]

get the big one....the footprint is about the same for both. I have a norcold 64qt and it is a big old giant PITA at times but I will never go smaller.

 

[hoser]

I vote 45QT too. My Waeco is that size and I would not want anything smaller.

 

[Willman]

I'm going with the bigger one when the money tree grows back from the Roof Top tent damage:hehe:

 

[xcmountain80]

I'm going with the bigger one when the money tree grows back from the Roof Top tent damage:hehe:

Yea I guess theres really not more than a $50 difference in price. Ohhh the money tree, yeah the roof tent will do that. I bought my hannibal in used but rough condition and rebuilt the whole thing "no not the canvas or AL poles". As far as mounting goes I was thinking about mounting the slide and crap to the back of one of my rear seats so as to keep the cargo area open for more cargo. SO when the seat is down on the pass side " for weight distribution" the 45 will go there. Ive seen build ups where they remove the lower cushion temporarily to make a flat surface to sleep on, I don't see why I couldn't do this so the 45 could be flat.


Aaron

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Their footprint is identical, they differ in height by ~4":

34qt Dimensions:
H16 x W24 7/8 x D14 1/8"

43qt Dimensions:
H20 x W24 7/8 x D14 1/8"

One other thing to consider in the mix is going with the ARB freezer/fridge over the regular Engel. The ARB has a built in digital thermometer that is very nice to have, however you can add a Engel thermometer to any of them.

FWIW, I have the 34qt unit.... I can honestly say I don't want a bigger one (right now anyway). Its a great fit in the back seat of my Tacoma or in the back of my Cruiser. 4" taller might be an issue in both instances. I can keep more in the 34qt sans ice than I could in a full-size Coleman cooler, and at that I can keep reserve beverages in dry storage until I need to cool them down.

 

[Hltoppr]

I have a 35Qt Engel, and I really like the size. Works great for holding at least a weeks worth of provisions, and the size fit great in the back of my FJ80, without getting too tall. (I didn't have a slider system, so everything opened inside the vehicle.)

-H-

 

[teotwaki]

my 2 cents worth:

The ARB thermometer is Celsius only and you have to disassemble the whole fridge to change the battery. With an external thermometer you can mount it up front where you can see it. Overall not worth the extra dollars to get the same freezer fridge.

I do think that the ARB transit bag looks to be better, but it costs more than Engel's too.

 

[hoser]

What I'd like to see is thermometer control where you can set it to say 35 degrees and the fridge would regulate the temp no matter what the outside temperature was. Maybe add in a manual overide in case it should fail.

 

[xcmountain80]

DONE, My in laws live in West Palm which is a stones throw from Jupiter, so curiosity got to me and I headed to the Engel dealer/ importer there. He was extremely pleasant and from S. Africa much like my hannibal. I asked him a couple questions, since I had done my research I knew a few things, but I didnt know. Life expectancy was 15-30 years, he had a unit from I swear he said 73 that stopped working a couple years ago (it was old). Initially they use a trick looking 10 amp fuse in the cig. plug head, but can be replaced with a reg. 10 amp. They cool really fast and are the most energy efficient units on the market "according to him". I asked about the 45 which he had in stock as well a scratch and dent unit that still carried the warranty. Hmm I though how much? Hmm he replied since its a minor nick here and a scratch I'll take $100 off retail of $696 soo $596 ... before I could say sold I had to think how long I would have to sleep on the couch..... let me talk to my wife I'll be right back. So I did then about 2 min. later I came back in and bought the damn thing. We were running errands and had to stop by the grocery store, when my wife replied oh lets go here first so the food isn't sitting in the car. Why I asked because it will get hot she replied. oh well I can fix that,,,, plugged the darn thing in and by the time we came back it was cold and ready for our cold goodies.

Aaron

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

I just sold my 45qt to get a 60qt

Personally, i think the 45qt has pooly thought out dimensions.

Its tall and narrow, so stuff must be stacked and dug out when needed, gets really old fast! Plus depending on how you mount it, it can be really awkward to get into if you are vertically challenged!

I prefer the layout style of the 60, its shorter so its easier to get into and pack up.

I like the 2 basket idea as well, 1 for beverages and 1 for food! :chowtime:

I will admit that i do travel with some "unfortunate folks" that still live in Cooler Land, so i end up storing more food then most, but the layout is the main reason i am switching!

Thats my .02

 

[xcmountain80]

Little late on that! Besides the 45 fits neatly into my 4Runner where as your cruiser probably eats the 60.

Aaron

 

[xcmountain80]

I do hope to see some meal planning change due to the ability of good refrigeration. We usually like the ease of the backpackers pantry, mountain house, natural high. Little to no mess and fast. But my wife and I are awesome cooks and enjoy spending time in the kitchen. We have made chicken portabella, chicken florentine, and the list goes on. I have used careful in the past with 2x bagging to maintain waterproofness. But now! Heck I can have Ben and Jerry's, fruit pops, and get to whine about waiting for my food to thaw.

Aaron

 

[Willman]

I just sold my 45qt to get a 60qt

Personally, i think the 45qt has pooly thought out dimensions.

Its tall and narrow, so stuff must be stacked and dug out when needed, gets really old fast! Plus depending on how you mount it, it can be really awkward to get into if you are vertically challenged!

I prefer the layout style of the 60, its shorter so its easier to get into and pack up.

I like the 2 basket idea as well, 1 for beverages and 1 for food! :chowtime:

I will admit that i do travel with some "unfortunate folks" that still live in Cooler Land, so i end up storing more food then most, but the layout is the main reason i am switching!

Thats my .02

Great infor.!!! My wife is vertically challenged......I think I'll get her to go with the 60L....But the 34L will not do that much damage to the money tree than the 60L!!!

:chowtime: