Which fridge? I'm researching but a lot options out there!

[mlmeans]

Family of 6 (4 young kids) full size truck rig... Looking into what fridge to get to uses hen we all go or just me... I've got cash now so want something last long term...

What size? Brand? Exterior materials? Of a fridge would you suggest

I read a lot on the Luna brand and they seem pretty good.. But I am open to suggestions. Thanks guys.

 

[perkj]

Check out the ARB 82 qt for a family of your size and given you have a full size truck. ARB fridges are proven and they have outstanding customer service in the United States.

 

[AndrewP]

Engel is the best long term brand. I would suggest the MT60 for a large family. I've had an MT45 in service since 2003 without even a hiccough. I'd buy another without hesitation.

There are cheaper ones. The Engel excels because it's simple and well made. There is very little to go wrong.

The Nat Luna looks nice, but not a lot are sold in the USA making future service uncertain.

 

[moabian]

In the past 15 years, I've had ARB, FridgeFreeze, and a couple of Waecos...never had a single problem with any of them. The only reason I ever switched was because of changing sizes. The FridgeFreeze was the most bombproof...but also the heaviest.

 

[mlmeans]

Those are great suggestions... Funny I actually near tower it down to engle and Arb last night...

 

[Mr. Snappy]

I've got two 45qt Engels and love em. They may not have fancy pants digital displays and high tech space age polymer cases, but they work, amp draw is super low, and there's not much that can fail.
I'd be wary of Nat Luna, simply since I've read of some issues and crappy support. No personal experience, just what I've read.

 

[hyperboarder]

Whynter/Edgestar is the budget choice, throwing that out there as well. No issues with the Whynter 65qt I have, been used probably 12 days this summer so far.

 

[tarditi]

I have an ARB50 and I really like the display, actually - the wireless remote monitor was something I rolled my eyes at when I got the free voucher upon purchase, but it's actually a nice feature as I can check temp and voltage. I also found an improvement in consumption when I hard-wired the fridge with the ARB wiring kit vs using a 12v plug and receptacle.

We have a family of 4 and actually overpack for our trips just because we can with the fridge. A 65 would be great, or a 50 and smaller 35 as a dedicated freezer if need be.

 

[Wilbah]

mlmeans if it helps I added to the thread I started on the "ACTUAL cooler sizes" in this section to include some of the better known Fridge/Freezers. The ARB and Engel's are all pretty accurate in terms of advertised sizes versus actual. Edgestar has one that's way off. But if it helps you might want to take a look at that info.

 

[Herbie]

You haven't mentioned what rig it's going into. Many of the good fridges all run the same Danfoss compressor, so the bigger issue is size/shape configuration. (ARB makes some that are shorter, for example.)

After years of dinking around with trying to fit a chest style fridge/freezer into my van, it actually turned out to be easier to build an upright cabinet and mount a vertical door (RV) type fridge. It uses less overall room and I didn't need to keep overhead clearance in mind (wasting space above it). I have a Truckfridge TF49, but it's basically the same as the Italian Vitifrigio models (also Danfoss compressor).

 

[erleichda]

Same question, adding a question about front load vs. top load

I've read all I can find but have one nagging question:

Most of the Sprinter upfitters are putting in Isotherm 130 ASUs. Their capacity is 4.6 cu and draw avg. of 1.2 amps (4-5 when running full on but smartly only do so when they sense plenty of energy, in eco mode when there is not.) We have 100w solar an house battery.

I realize there is a lot of info about ARB, Luna, Engel, Whytner. But at the same exterior dimensions as the Iso130, the interior capacity is about half for a top loader. So why do people pick one over the isotherm?

 

[4x4junkie]

mlmeans if it helps I added to the thread I started on the "ACTUAL cooler sizes" in this section to include some of the better known Fridge/Freezers. The ARB and Engel's are all pretty accurate in terms of advertised sizes versus actual. Edgestar has one that's way off. But if it helps you might want to take a look at that info.

The Edgestar FP430 is 46.06 quarts (I posted it's interior dimensions in your other thread)

Overall I'm completely happy with my Edgestar (had it for 6 years now). Only thing is the plastic carrying handles on these (and Whynter) are a little flimsy, and a couple reports of the hinges coming apart (both are easily replaced with metal items from Home Depot, Lowe's, etc. Look in the Edgestar Fridge Modifications Thread for details).
For the price, I think this can be overlooked. The fridge is quite sturdy otherwise, and has excellent temperature uniformity. Power consumption is also on par with most others. For your needs you'd probably want to look at either the 63-quart FP630, or the 80-quart FP861.

 

[Doug E]

You haven't mentioned what rig it's going into....

Herbie: I've got a Teardrop trailer and have not yet purchased a fridge. The main issue is shape - Arb, Engle, Dometic, what have you - are all very rectangular and do not fit well into the kitchen of a Teardrop. The space I have available is 22.5" wide, 20" deep, and 20.75 inches high. The truckfridge TF-49 would fit perfectly, as would the Dometic CRX-50. There are perhaps other truck fridges as well, but those two are what I am looking at right now. My main concern is that I drive off-road. Not fast, but things nevertheless rattle around. Are the truck fridges up to the beating that cr@ppy forest service and BLM roads offer up?

Thanks

 

[Herbie]

Herbie: I've got a Teardrop trailer and have not yet purchased a fridge. The main issue is shape - Arb, Engle, Dometic, what have you - are all very rectangular and do not fit well into the kitchen of a Teardrop. The space I have available is 22.5" wide, 20" deep, and 20.75 inches high. The truckfridge TF-49 would fit perfectly, as would the Dometic CRX-50. There are perhaps other truck fridges as well, but those two are what I am looking at right now. My main concern is that I drive off-road. Not fast, but things nevertheless rattle around. Are the truck fridges up to the beating that cr@ppy forest service and BLM roads offer up?

Thanks

Yep, I'd say so. Danfoss compressor, just like the other "good" brands, just in a different shape. I built a vertical stack cabinet for mine. Fridge on top, and a drawer and a big drop-front cabinet below to hold the porta-potti. It sits just behind the driver's seat and has been running great since I installed it in October of last year. Obviously with a chest fridge gravity does most of the job of keeping all the food down in the "box", so once or twice I've had things shift and want to tumble out a bit when I open the door - but more experience with packing and adding the sliding "organizers" kind of like drawers in the photo below has helped keep everything corralled.

The TF-49 is a popular choice for the VW guys because it's a drop-in replacement for the old Dometic 3-way absorption fridges in the Westy vanagons, etc. Some guys have done a cabinet hack to make room for the larger TF-62 also. Their positive experiences with them was what convinced me to bite the bullet.

EDIT: Another plus is now I have a little freezer section - just big enough for a tray of ice for my whiskey and any dinner ingredients that need to stay frozen as long as possible.

 

[Doug E]

Thanks for the quick response!
Doug