Lowest priced quality fridge nowadays...

[BIGdaddy]

Thanks Mike, but as I said, the edgestar is my dad's, I'm familiar with it.

Thanks for the capacity references, though. I'm thinking the 50L size is going to be our choice.

I'm more asking for recommendations about the other model's I mentioned: ARB, Engel, the waeco mentioned above, etc. Honestly, If we buy a a fridge, I want to put it in the car and forget about it other than tending to my battery's needs as far as stay topped off. The edgestar units seem to have their share of issues, which might end up swaying me away from picking it up.

Oh, and yeah, I've got some 300lb commercial slides from a contracter friend that'll be put to good use, as far as a slideout goes.

 

[4x4junkie]

I've had an Edgestar for almost 2 years now (FP430).
Sounds like you may already be familiar with it's cheap plastic handles and hinges.
If you were to replace these with items you can get at Lowes or Home Depot, IMO you'd have a pretty solid unit. I've had no issues with mine outside of a broken handle (oh, and I also swapped out the DC power connector, I kept managing to break the plug off the cord on mine).

Awhile back I ran tests on it looking to see how efficient it was... I measured it's current drain at 1.87A averaged out during normal cycling to maintain 32°F in a 80°F room. This was only very slightly above that of the older ARB/Engel that OJ magazine had tested some years ago. I don't know how the newer ARB fridge compares though (can't seem to find the more recent OJ report posted online anywhere and don't have one to test myself yet).
The ARB seems a little overpriced to me anyway, though it's certainly a nicer-looking unit (the Edgestar is a little bland).

I find the 43 qt size perfect for maybe a week to 10 days camping for 2 people if packed efficiently. Of course this means you can't throw your whole 10-day stash of beer in all at once, however you still can put several in at a time, and just feed them in as you drink them.

 

[ExpoMike]

If I was buying a portable fridge today, it would likely be the new style ARB 50 qt model. As it was, we ended up buying a Nova Kool fridge for our FWC. They are popular in the boating world and making their way more and more into the RV world.

Good luck on deciding. Lots of choices out there.

 

[HillbillyfromAL]

Me and my wife both agree that our ARB 50quart is something we couldn't imagine living without. Even when we're not going out we're always using it. Even if it's just the cold stuff from the grocery store so we can drive around and not worry about it. I'd suggest getting the best one you could afford that will give you easy access to it when your loaded down. The easy to access aspect may be the most important when it comes to choosing how to set it up.

 

[BIGdaddy]

super post loved it super super good job guys............

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