New Turtleback Getaway Owner Question - Kitchen Prep Space and Fridge Storage

[journey unknown]

I am picking up my new TB Getaway trailer in the next 3 weeks. I decided to go all out with the T3 package, Lithium, Shower and pretty much everything that can be ordered from the factory. I have two remaining questions.

1. What can be done for a fridge? It’s actually a bummer. I talked with Nate from TB today and he said to run an extension cord from the trailer to the back of my Jeep. I don’t mind leaving the fridge outside plugged in during the day, but I planned to put it in the trailer for storage overnight leaving it running. He said it just won’t work. What are people with a Getaway doing with your fridges overnight to keep them running?

2. Unlike the Expedition trailers, there’s no drop down prep area on the tire carrier. Has anyone made modifications to add extra prep space to the tire carrier or anywhere else?

 

[SBSYNCRO]

Fridge:

For a myriad of reasons, I find it much more convenient to have the fridge in my Jeep on a slide.
1. There is no place for a fridge in the Getaway
2. Having the fridge in the tow vehicle means you don’t need to cut vent holes in the trailer (letting in dust).
3. Having the fridge in the vehicle means I have lunch and drinks with me during day trips from camp.

The ONLY downsides I’ve found to having the fridge in the Jeep are:
1. If I spend the day “wheeling” my beer gets shaken up pretty good and the first one back at camp has to be opened carefully.
2. I have to disconnect the trailer and move the Jeep to open the tailgate of the Jeep and access the fridge. This is usually a non-issue as I typically “base camp”. If I’m doing a multi-stop trip I have to access the fridge from the rear doors (but it’s easier for me as I have removed my rear seats and built a platform)

Plugging the fridge into the rear receptacle of the Getaway is also a good option. I just put it on the ground to the left of the galley (or on top of a couple Wolf pack boxes)

As to prep area, I bring one or two Lifetime folding tables from Costco. They fit perfectly in the upper tray and provide a LOT of space.

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[journey unknown]

Fridge:

For a myriad of reasons, I find it much more convenient to have the fridge in my Jeep on a slide.
1. There is no place for a fridge in the Getaway
2. Having the fridge in the tow vehicle means you don’t need to cut vent holes in the trailer (letting in dust).
3. Having the fridge in the vehicle means I have lunch and drinks with me during day trips from camp.

The ONLY downsides I’ve found to having the fridge in the Jeep are:
1. If I spend the day “wheeling” my beer gets shaken up pretty good and the first one back at camp has to be opened carefully.
2. I have to disconnect the trailer and move the Jeep to open the tailgate of the Jeep and access the fridge. This is usually a non-issue as I typically “base camp”. If I’m doing a multi-stop trip I have to access the fridge from the rear doors (but it’s easier for me as I have removed my rear seats and built a platform)

Plugging the fridge into the rear receptacle of the Getaway is also a good option. I just put it on the ground to the left of the galley (or on top of a couple Wolf pack boxes)

As to prep area, I bring one or two Lifetime folding tables from Costco. They fit perfectly in the upper tray and provide a LOT of space.

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So you leave the fridge out over night?

 

[SBSYNCRO]

So you leave the fridge out over night?

Not frequently but I have, depending on circumstances. I’d say 85% of the time I just back the Jeep up to face away from my galley and create a “kitchen triangle” with the stove, sink, and fridge. With the table off to the side opposite the tailgate.

Works well for me. Most people I’ve talked to that have tried both end up with the fridge in their tow vehicle for a variety of reasons. The biggest one is dust/ventilation.

That being said, I run the fridge off a 500wh lithium pack that is charged by a 100w panel I have mounted to my roof racks. I drilled a hole through my top and installed an SAE connector to the roof, into which the panel plugs. The other side leads to the battery which is installed on a shelf I made out of an extra air compressor mount. I can post some pix if you’re curious.


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[journey unknown]

Not frequently but I have, depending on circumstances. I’d say 85% of the time I just back the Jeep up to face away from my galley and create a “kitchen triangle” with the stove, sink, and fridge. With the table off to the side opposite the tailgate.

Works well for me. Most people I’ve talked to that have tried both end up with the fridge in their tow vehicle for a variety of reasons. The biggest one is dust/ventilation.

That being said, I run the fridge off a 500wh lithium pack that is charged by a 100w panel I have mounted to my roof racks. I drilled a hole through my top and installed an SAE connector to the roof, into which the panel plugs. The other side leads to the battery which is installed on a shelf I made out of an extra air compressor mount. I can post some pix if you’re curious.


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Sure I would love to seem some photos. Just disappointed that I’m spending this much money on a trailer I can’t even store my fridge inside of overnight.

 

[SBSYNCRO]

Maybe they will let you upgrade to an Expedition. The front compartment will store a fridge.

Much bigger/heavier trailer though.


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[Old Tanker]

Having the fridge in your vehicle is also better for leaving the trailer as a basecamp while you go shopping for supplies.

 

[journey unknown]

Maybe they will let you upgrade to an Expedition. The front compartment will store a fridge.

Much bigger/heavier trailer though.


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Exactly why I went with a Getaway. I’ve seen some people who have their expedition trailer well over 4000 pounds. With a truck it’s no problem but a jeep not the best idea. I do love the built-in fridge slide though.

 

[journey unknown]

Having the fridge in your vehicle is also better for leaving the trailer as a basecamp while you go shopping for supplies.

Yeah, I keep hearing this from other people as well. In the end, that’s what I’m thinking of doing.

It was also suggested to me I can just keep the fridge outside for the most part. If I end up in bear country or I’m afraid of animals, I could put it inside the jeep and just use my Jackery to keep it running overnight. Then during the day I can top off the Jackery with the trailers built in dual lithium. Not the prettiest solution but I think it will work.

It was also brought to my attention that if a bear wants that fridge it makes no difference if it’s in my jeep or not haha! The only difference being if it’s outside they will destroy the fridge and not the jeep with it.

 

[SBSYNCRO]

Congrats on your new Turtleback. There’s a pretty active forum on Facebook with a lot of great ideas and helpful people. I wish it wasn’t on FB, but it is what it is…


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[journey unknown]

Congrats on your new Turtleback. There’s a pretty active forum on Facebook with a lot of great ideas and helpful people. I wish it wasn’t on FB, but it is what it is…


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I know I haven’t had a Facebook in about 11 years but things like this make me want to sign back up so I can have access to groups that are only available on the platform.

 

[SBSYNCRO]

I know I haven’t had a Facebook in about 11 years but things like this make me want to sign back up so I can have access to groups that are only available on the platform.

It’s literally the only reason I go to Facebook.


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[journey unknown]

It’s literally the only reason I go to Facebook.


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Make sense. It would be my only reason too. Is there a way now to hide seeing anything from anybody?

 

[SBSYNCRO]

I think you can cloak yourself, but you can’t avoid seeing other people’s stuff.

What I should have done is create a separate account from my old one and used a throwaway email address. That would have. Even smarter.


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[journey unknown]

I think you can cloak yourself, but you can’t avoid seeing other people’s stuff.

What I should have done is create a separate account from my old one and used a throwaway email address. That would have. Even smarter.


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Yeah not a bad idea. Do you have the link to the TB Facebook group by any chance?