Keeping the lid open

[adventureduo]

Great thread. Been trying to figure out a way of keep that dang door open lately. Maybe a suction cup hook on our back hatch window? (ours slides out)

Also, it always bugs me that the ARB fridge slides off its pivot pins (left and right) and i have to find the right way to put it back on. That one irritates me lol

 

[Ursidae69]

I built a stand for my fridge in the extra cab that is just high enough where the lid cathces on the roof of the truck when it is open. Plus, the weacos open sideways rather than longways, which helps.

 

[Dave]

This was my solution, and it would help with the fact that the lid hits the roof as well: http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=98524&highlight=ArB+fridge+lid

Or since I love gas struts take a look here:
http://www.mcmaster.com/
Search "gas shocks"
First page has generic shocks, following pages have mount/other options.

you can get ones down to 10lbs and get flanges to affix the strut to the underside of the lid, or I would suggest mounting it to the flat surface on the outside.

Your thread on IH8MUD is actually what got me thinking that it would be ok to drill into the lid to mount a strut. I'll have to take some measurements and hit up the McMaster website tonight, they probably have what I'm looking for.

Very nice setup Mark! I think that's the first time I've seen your drawers, must have missed that update. And by drawers, I mean the ones that carry your junk in your truck. And by junk I mean supplies. Just so we are perfectly clear, I am not talking about your underwear.

Also, it always bugs me that the ARB fridge slides off its pivot pins (left and right) and i have to find the right way to put it back on. That one irritates me lol

Pivot pins = hinges? Is this what you need? Hinge Lock

 

[njtaco]

What about a spring type marine hatch holder?

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...e&storeNum=null&subdeptNum=null&classNum=null

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...Primary Search/mode matchallpartial/0/0?N=377

:iagree: These work great on hatches, I don't see why this won't work as well as anything else...

 

[KMR]

Also, it always bugs me that the ARB fridge slides off its pivot pins (left and right) and i have to find the right way to put it back on. That one irritates me lol

Just open the lid, unscrew a hinge, turn it around and screw it back in. Then they work against each other and will not slide apart.

 

[DaveInDenver]

http://www.mcmaster.com/
Search "gas shocks"
First page has generic shocks, following pages have mount/other options.

I love McMaster!

FWIW, I use the SPD Hardware gas springs on my WilderNest.

http://www.spdhardware.com/catalog/list.asp?id={C3E3DCF0-1F62-49DA-BF30-1058C7E8E730}

I like these because you can get them at any NAPA, or at least they can order them. Also some of them are available at Pep Boys and Checker sorts of places (they are often used as OEM replacements for SUV lift gates).


They also make some little mechanical struts, much lower force (like 8 lbs).

http://www.spdhardware.com/catalog/mstruts.asp

 

[adventureduo]

Pivot pins = hinges? Is this what you need? Hinge Lock

Where the heck have i been? Im ordering these right now! No more fuss! Thanks Dave!

 

[tdesanto]

fridge slide

x2 for the fridge slide. You can take the entire basket out then, fill it, then just drop it in and hit the road.

When you want something out of the fridge, just slide it out and open it up all the way. Pretty easy and the Engel slide is solid.

Or, if you need a custom fit, build your own like I did using heavy duty drawer rails, some additional hardware, and 3/4" plywood.

 

[TheRoadie]

I've seen some spring-based struts in RV stores like Camping World, meant for RV upward swinging interior cabinet doors. Meant for light weight doors, not the moosy ones for exterior storage doors. Here's an Ebay listing: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280146833583

 

[Dave]

x2 for the fridge slide. You can take the entire basket out then, fill it, then just drop it in and hit the road.

When you want something out of the fridge, just slide it out and open it up all the way. Pretty easy and the Engel slide is solid.

Or, if you need a custom fit, build your own like I did using heavy duty drawer rails, some additional hardware, and 3/4" plywood.

A slide is in the long term plans, but I would still like something that holds the lid open. For a complete load or unload, we take take the fridge out of the truck and set it on the tail gate so we can get the baskets out. No big deal on that but I don't want to slide the fridge out every time I need to get into it.

The very first time we went on a trip with the fridge, it basically rained the whole weekend. And I don't mean a light rain, I mean a constant heavy rain. I wouldn't have wanted to slide the fridge out at all that weekend but it was pretty annoying to have to fight the lid the whole time.