Swing out fridge carrier

[universalmind303]

So I have 82qt arb fridge, and am having problems figuring out where to put it in my Tacoma. I came up with the idea of storing it on the back bumper, similar to a swing out jerry can holder,or tire holder.

First before I start fabrication on one, I was wondering if there would be any problems with keeping the fridge outside and exposed to the elements.

I am going to be doing some extended travel in the sw this spring and my major concern is dust/dirt damaging the fridge. Anyone store their fridge where it is exposed to the elements? Im sure it wouldn't be too much different from putting it in an open bed of a truck.

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[Ducky's Dad]

A travel bag will help a lot to keep dust out of the fridge and maybe away from the vents. It will need to be a snug fit if it's mounted where it will create drag. Depending on where and when in the southwest you will be, heat may be a bigger issue. Late summer temps in So Cal will go above 110, and I have seen almost 130 in southern Arizona in late August. Fridge will be working hard and your battery won't last long without a recharge. Weather starts getting nasty around the end of June, But we have had some 90s this February.

 

[universalmind303]

I am going april- early june. I also have a 400ah battery bank so I think I will be okay as far as a power supply goes. A transit bag seems like a good idea for the dirt.

I found a much easier solution to the swing out, a swing out cargo basket that mounts to the trailer hitch. It is rated up to 250lbs.

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[universalmind303]

Unfortunately, there is just no room in the back of the truck for a sleeping area, and the fridge. I got the swing out cargo carrier, now I am thinking of building a partial enclosure out of heat reflective materials, and a dust filter for the airflow. I just gotta do whatever it takes to get that extra space in my bed. Kinda wishing I got the 1 size smaller fridge now.


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[perkj]

Unfortunately, there is just no room in the back of the truck for a sleeping area, and the fridge. I got the swing out cargo carrier, now I am thinking of building a partial enclosure out of heat reflective materials, and a dust filter for the airflow. I just gotta do whatever it takes to get that extra space in my bed. Kinda wishing I got the 1 size smaller fridge now.


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I think it would be better selling the 80 qt, get the smaller fridge, and get it situated in the bed. I just don't see it being a good move to have a fridge hanging off the rear bumper. those swing arms become a bit shaky (especially with the weight of a fully packed 80 qt) and that won't be good for the compressor.

Also remember you can always move your fridge out of the bed area when you get to camp and I'll you need is an extended power cable.

 

[Martinjmpr]

What kind of Tacoma? Reason I ask is because I would put it in the cab if that's possible. PITA? Yes, but how much of a PITA will it be if your expensive fridge quits in the middle of a trip? AFAIK all fridges have a fan to cool the compressor motor and that's going to suck in outside air which means dirt and dust.
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Does your truck have a shell/topper? BC if you can't keep it in the cab I would at least keep it in the bed under some kind of shelter. If it's too tall to fit in the bed with your sleep platform, perhaps you can cut a section out of the sleep platform and put the fridge in there while you travel, then when you bed down for the night put the fridge somewhere else and put a panel on the platform where the fridge sticks through.
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If that's not an option and you absolutely, positively have to have it mounted on the tailgate, I would probably trade the fridge for a Yeti or similar cooler that will stay sealed up and doesn't have any delicate electrical parts to fail.

 

[wreckdiver1321]

I would echo other sentiments. That's a lot of money hanging off the back of your truck. I can see that being a magnet for a ton of dust. Plus there's the weight issue. That is a ridiculous amount of weight for a swing out bumper setup. The amount of leverage on the hinge would be pretty bad, and I can't see it living long like that. My 50L Indel-B weighs like 55 pounds, I can't imagine what that ARB weighs.

Also, what if you get rear ended?

 

[universalmind303]

What kind of Tacoma? Reason I ask is because I would put it in the cab if that's possible. PITA? Yes, but how much of a PITA will it be if your expensive fridge quits in the middle of a trip? AFAIK all fridges have a fan to cool the compressor motor and that's going to suck in outside air which means dirt and dust.
.
Does your truck have a shell/topper? BC if you can't keep it in the cab I would at least keep it in the bed under some kind of shelter. If it's too tall to fit in the bed with your sleep platform, perhaps you can cut a section out of the sleep platform and put the fridge in there while you travel, then when you bed down for the night put the fridge somewhere else and put a panel on the platform where the fridge sticks through.
.
If that's not an option and you absolutely, positively have to have it mounted on the tailgate, I would probably trade the fridge for a Yeti or similar cooler that will stay sealed up and doesn't have any delicate electrical parts to fail.

I have 1st gen access cab. When I took measurements for the fridge, I was hoping to have it fit behind the passenger seat. Unfortunately my measurements were slightly off, it fits, but with the seat unable to recline. I just find it will be hard to sell the fridge for close enough to what I paid to justify a smaller one. With the sleeper setup in the back, it would leave me with 9" of head room if the fridge were in the bed

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[perkj]

I think you make an attempt to sell the 80 qt fridge and try to get as much as you can for it and then purchase the smaller one that fits. Sure you'll be out some money but in the end you'll have the small fridge in the cab which is where you wanted it and it will last much longer there as opposed to be exposed to the elements...and you'll be overall happier with the final result. You also seem to be willing to throw some money at materials and time toward a carrier so you'll save yourself this expense and time (which is also money) as well by selling and going with the smaller fridge.

Finally use this experience as a lesson in the future to measure more than once to ensure fitment or more importantly use mock ups. I went so far as to mock up the ARB fridge with PVC pipe & joints before I purchased to ensure fitment. did the same with my shelf frame too before investing in the aluminum tubing and connectors. PVC pipe is a very cheap way at making some basic mock ups as you can see below. A $10-15 dollar investment in some pipe and joints would have saved you a lot of headache and money.:





View attachment 315435

 

[Ducky's Dad]

My Indel B sits on the back seat platform in my Dodge (much bigger cab than the Taco), but one big advantage in this climate is that when the truck is rolling down the road, the fridge has the benefit of the cab's A/C to reduce the load on the compressor. And the cab's factory tinted rear windows cut heat gain, plus you can throw a sleeping bag over the fridge as additional insulation during the day. Can't do that if it's hanging off the back of the truck.

 

[Berne]

Another vote for "find another place", but for slightly different reasons....

If you ever plan at travelling off-road with any " speed", anything hanging off the back sees a lot more angular velocity over big bumps than things mounted closer to the center of rotation.
Our ARB fridge lives in the back of our truck full-time, and has thousands of miles in Baja under it. Just being in the bed of the truck, the thing inside get pretty beat up, popped beer cans, etc if we're not careful about tightly packing it, I can't imagine how much worse it would be if it were hanging out the back another couple feet.

Just FYI.

--B

 

[Grabow]

I think you make an attempt to sell the 80 qt fridge and try to get as much as you can for it and then purchase the smaller one that fits. Sure you'll be out some money but in the end you'll have the small fridge in the cab which is where you wanted it and it will last much longer there as opposed to be exposed to the elements...and you'll be overall happier with the final result. You also seem to be willing to throw some money at materials and time toward a carrier so you'll save yourself this expense and time (which is also money) as well by selling and going with the smaller fridge.

Finally use this experience as a lesson in the future to measure more than once to ensure fitment or more importantly use mock ups. I went so far as to mock up the ARB fridge with PVC pipe & joints before I purchased to ensure fitment. did the same with my shelf frame too before investing in the aluminum tubing and connectors. PVC pipe is a very cheap way at making some basic mock ups as you can see below. A $10-15 dollar investment in some pipe and joints would have saved you a lot of headache and money.:

View attachment 333426



View attachment 315435

Thats a great idea, I think I'll be doing this before starting my build. Thanks!

 

[goodtimes]

I don't know if I'd do this if I were living out of a vehicle long term, but for short (2 week +/-) trips, why not pull the fridge out & set it on the ground at night? Just make a power cord that is long enough to reach where it needs to, & make sure that it is routed so it doesn't get crushed by a door or tailgate.

 

[Rezarf <><]

I've run my ARB/Engel in the back of my open top FJ40 for each wheeling season for years and gets battered by wind, rain, dust, snow, and direct sunlight. No problems yet, no cover, though a transit cover would likely help. I'm reworking my tire carrier to mount the fridge on a swing out as well. My main concerns are mounting it securely so it doesn't walk away.