How to carry a Engel fridge safely?

We did the GCR in July as part of an extended trip, with an Engel MRFT-514 tied down with ratchet straps to a platform installed in place of the back seat. Stayed put, snug as the proverbial bug-in-a-rug. Didn't hear any noise from the contents at any stage.

The only pics I took were of the platform installation into the vehicle, which isn't helpful to you. There was nothing loose adjacent to it - a seat-back, a 90 litre storage tub (tied down), and space to the front seat and door. If you're worried about damaging the fridge that's another matter entirely.

I'd suggest if you can find suitable tie-down points you'll be hearing more rattles from the Jeep itself.

Gidday

as others say tie the fridge down as best you can.


dunno about bubble wrap on the outside but I find it very handy inside the fridge to stop the cans of beer rubbing together on the corrugations. Never lost a can yet.

Cheers

G'day Holly Anne - You used to be able to buy transit bags and spring bases for the MRFT-530B, but it's a totally obsolete model now, and I doubt whether you can buy any accessories for it. I'm not sure that the transit bag for the newer Engels would fit the MRFT-530B.

I have an MRFT-530B, and its 37 yrs old! I bought it in 1977, and it still runs like a charm (touch wood).
I bought a transit bag and a spring base for it when I bought it new, and they have both performed admirably, as regards protecting the fridge.

However, I think the spring base was discarded as an accessory long ago, probably because it takes up too much room (height).

I'd be visiting an upholsterer who specialises in canvas goods, to see if they can knock up a transit bag for your fridge for a reasonable price.
I'd suggest buying a medium-size pet mattress off eBay for a few dollars, to sit the fridge on, to protect it from road shocks.

Cheers, Ron.

I have one of them and ran it in the back of my wagon for years with no issues. I have a transit bag, but I don't think it makes any difference to the noise from the fridge as it hardly makes any noise with or without the bag.

Your Dad is right (dad's usually are ;-) ), it just needs to be anchored down to stop it jumping around on bumps and in case there is an accident a 40L fridge in the side of the head would be uncomfortable.

Don't be tempted to tie i down with a ratchet strap around the carry handles as that is how I bent my carry handles. Engel make Tie down points or if you have a bit of metal and a drill, make your own. These ones are only bent the way that they are to fit around the transit bag. if you don't have one of those then they can be a lot simpler.

Stick it in the car, tie it down, pack it full, pack gear around it but leave room for air to circulate around the compressor end and away you go. Packing canned drinks in stubbie coolers or cardboard is a good way to stop the cans from chaffing against each other and spraying everywhere.

My Engel's about 8 years old and I always carry it in the back of the ute. I installed cheap trunk handles from the local hardware and friction tie downs which have done the job over several cape trips. I have a transit bag but just something like old blanket to prevent rubbing would do. Leave space around the vents.

apart from being tied down firmly, maybe with some rubber under for traction...your engel should be fine.

My brothers oldest engel ran 24/7/ 365 in the back of his ute for over 20 years...and on some pretty rough roads...still works just fine.

cheers

I carry my Engel strapped down on the back seat. The seat cushions it, and being in the middle of the vehicle, it isn't bouncing as it would in the back. It's been around Oz a couple of times, Up the Cape, Gibb River and Dampier Peninsula, NT …… everywhere, all types of terrain …. No problems at all…… well it's an Engel, isn't it? …… :-)

cheers
Laurie

We did the GCR lsast year and our 80lt Engel just sat on Rubber matting in back of covered ute and never moved or got damaged .Weight plus contents should stop it moving .

I would just put it on an EVA mat and put a strap over the top. Carted old model Engels around in the back of helicopters for years. Seriously robust. A bit of packing under the strap if you are worried about keeping the thing in showroom appearance. A bit of corrugated cardboard wedged between items inside will minimise the rattle and chances of rubbing anything through. As you use things up, the cardboard makes a great fire starter.

Iza