Make you own "tranist bag"?

[adrenaline503]

Ok, so the transit bags for the fridges are super nice and I am sure they do the trick. However, has any one made their own? I am pretty handy with a sewing machine but this would be my most ambitious project in that regard. I have seen some reflective foil insulation at Home Depot that might be a good starting point. Any ideas or inspiration?

 

[Wyowanderer]

Your mention of reflective material just reminded me of some excellent silver reflective material I saw at JoAnn Fabrics the other day. It was in the quilting section, if I remember right.

 

[Toyotero]

I saw someone make one out of a windshield sun-shield once, mostly to cover the top to block the sun.

Like this (material, not complete, obviously)

 

[adrenaline503]

Yea, I built one today out of reflective material. Didn't do a damn thing.

 

[kai38]

I made one for my edgestar fridge. It took 1 1/2 heavy duty windshield screens. They were the ones from Wal-mart w/ the small bubbles. I fit one around from the front left side,back,right side of fridge. Took the 2nd shield for the top. I cut vent holes to match vents on fridge. I used velcro to hold it in place. The lid cover I cut larger then the lid to tuck down the backside & held in place with velcro also the front hangs down past the lid and also has velcro, unvelcro the cover and unsnap the latch.
I do beleive its made a difference in keeping fridge cooler when its out of truck at campsite pluged into trailer battery. My next project is to make a cover for the water cooler.
Cant post pics right now I'm not at my computer w/ pics I'll post later this coming week.

 

[AnzaJeep]

I've been meaning to post up a quick write-up on the insulation bag I made for my fridge. First, I went and got the insulated bubble wrap from Home Depot - I don't recall how much it was, but it was cheap. This is what I have left after the project

I opted to make one long bag that would velcro around the fridge. I started with the insulating bubble wrap and cut it to match the fridge. I also scored the corners to get a tight bend for the corners, and then used clear duct tape to help it hold the corners

I had some old canvas off of an awning my grandpa use to have for his camper van. Originally I was going to sew it to the insulation, but found it worked much better to use contact cement. It worked well to tightly adher the canvas to the foil without any bubbles, creases or loose cloth.

I then sewed velcrow to the bag (contact cement would not cut it) and wrapped the fridge.

The top is a separe piece, but with the velcro, the fridge can be accessed from either side and the velcro will hold the top on

Finished product

 

[RVR2RSQ]

nice

Looks good. I am planning something similar, I was planning to use old closed cell foam sleeping pads (found at a garage sale for a buck) I would think it would have the same or better insulating properties, not sure though.

I also noticed you did not insulate underneath, do the manufactured transit bags insulate the bottom?

Brian

 

[TimS]

Looks really nice. I just tossed out the first transit bag I made for a trip awhile back. Simple bubble wrap stuff. We will now work on a better one here soon. The wife is going to sew in a few items for a better fit and better fucntion.

 

[taugust]

My brother, who has an old-style ARB, used my store bought'n transit bag for my Engel to copy for his, using the roll insulation mat'l shown above. He says he should have made it about 1" bigger all around, because that insulation is thicker than the commercial transit bag insulation. He still needs to finish attaching the bottom to the sides. He used it as is on a recent trip and it worked well, even unfinished.

To answer the question above: yes, the commercial ones have insulation on the bottom. They are basically bottom and three sides (non-compressor side and 2 long sides) sewn together, with the back (compressor side) and top attached to the bottom in one continuous strip. It folds up and zips closed.