trailblazer or engel

I had 2 trailblazers. A 60 and a 100 litre. Excellent quality. They are heavy though due to the marine grade aluminium used in construction. Very efficient. The 60 litre I had for about 10 years and sold it to a mate as I wanted a 100 litre. Had the 100 litre for about 4 years before selling it when I moved to Cairns as my big camping trips are a thing of the past. Ideal for the back of a ute or trailer. Bigger than an engel. I did have to buy a 240volt pack as mine died after a few years. Apart from that all good. If I was just doing weekend trips probably go for an engel being lighter to lift in and out of a car. Big trips or seeing Australia and the fridge/freezer was a permanent fixture, I would definitely go the trailblazer again. Freezes well too. Probably uses about the same amount of power as an engel(60 litre)..100 litre used a bit of power, but it was the drinks fridge for boys out fishing!!! Heaps more solid than an engel or weako.

I have only had my 70 litre Trailblazer for about 25 years so have had some experience with it. Yes, it is heavy and takes up a bit of room. It is well insulated and strongly made.I have had to replace the compressor twice, once my fault. I have had no reason to replace it. No experience with Engles but you don't need a cover as you do with the Engle.

Had a Trailblazer for well over 20 years.
Still made here in Australia.
Great backup service should anything go wrong - not that much does. Had one issue in the time I've owned it and that was easily fixed.
Yes they are heavy so not the fridge to get if you want/need to lift it in and out each day (unless you're built like The Rock!
12v + 240v - cool on 240 before a trip. Works a treat.

Yep trailblazer all the way brought it early 1994 been all over and so far no problems touch wood what's that... no wood...it's all plastic.. bugger says I sitting in my rice burner Micky Oh by the way 60 litres with false floor freezer on bottom etc.

Bought a Trailblazer, about 50 or 60L, in late '80's, for use in a stock camp on a station, John.

Could switch it off at 8-9pm and it was still chilly cold at 5-6am. Didn't know about these dual battery systems back then. Had a bit of trouble with the controller, probably because of being hooked up to battery in reverse polarity. Otherwise all good, and would echo everyone else's thoughts re weight etc.

They will make you any size fridge you might want, if you need a one-off. They made a 100L unit, 240v only, for a mate that was doing contracting work on stations in NT & Qld.

We've also got an Engel 40L. Had it over 10 years with no problems, but it's a bit noisy and insulation is at a minimum. Probably ample for a fridge running off 2 x 120amphr batteries in a slide-on camper.

Case of if you have the room, and don't need to shift it, get the big T. Otherwise Engel.

Bob

Hi John, I bought a second hand Trailblazer in 1999. It was 8 years old then. The compressor had a problem a couple of years later. I contacted the manufacturers and dropped it off for repairs. They said there was a batch of Danfoss compressors that had a winding problem. They replaced the motor, electronics, dryer and capillary, shipped it back to me within a week at No Charge!!! Said it was covered by warranty. Several years later when I installed a HF radio, the fridge was causing a bit of interference when it cut in. I finally contacted the manufacturers again ( after talking to everyone else) and they sent me a new power lead (that connects to the electronic control box) at NO CHARGE!!! Beat that for service!

I am so impressed with their product AND service, that when my son-in-law wanted a fridge - well, I sent him to Trailblazer. I still have and use my Trailbalzer - 20 odd years old now. Ugly as sin, heavy as, but if it is full and the battery goes flat, a beer is still cold 3 days later!

I cant sing there praises high enough. Not a relative or employee or reseller - just a happy Trailblazer owner.

An Engel may do what you want, but, has it got such good back-up? They are both about the same price and the Engel takes up less room, but is noisier. You choice in the end. I'm sure you'll be happy with either.
Tony

I have had my 80 ltr. Trailblaza for about 18 years and it has never had the slightest thing go wrong with it.
It is permanently "hard wired" in the back of the 60 series L/C, switchable to 200 ah car auxiliary battery, 450 ah caravan battery, solar or 240 V.

I can`t comment on other brands as I have never owned any.

Scrubby.