Monday, Feb 09, 2009 at 12:19
One of the things that the proponents of compressor fridges throw up is that absorption fridges are not tropically rated. Most of the Dometic fridges are now "T" rated.
What they neglect to tell you is the standards to which absorption fridges are tested also applies to compressor fridges. The only compressor fridges I know of sold in Oz that are "T" rated are some of the Waeco models. The Vitrifrigo models are usually "N" rated.
The other thing about ordering a van with a battery system like that is - did you specifically order a van with a greater load carrying capacity than the standard model? It is the norm for manufacturers to just install all the extras you order in their standard build of van. You will even find the tare weight on the compliance plate to be that of their first weighed standard built van. (I know,
mine was) If you only have the standard 60 litre tank, when you fill it and add the weight of your battery system you will have added nearly 200 kg of weight to the basic van. If you have multiple tanks you will be
well over the 200 kg. This is half the standard allowance of 400 kg.
The 400 kg allowance is a historical figure from when caravanners only went on a few weeks holiday and did not carry much load. Also water tanks were smaller. Including 80 ltrs of water, we carry nearly 500 kg in the van. Also, that does not include the chairs and
table, food pantry and booze stocks that are carried in the back of the truck. Most of our friends are carrying similar loads.
Check with your dealer what is happening. You could get a van that does not allow you to carry much in the way of cooking equipment, dining ware, food, clothes, bedding, personal effects, timber for chocking and levelling the van, awning and annex equipment and other outside bits (hoses etc.) Most importantly, weigh the van when you take delivery of it to
check the weights. I did not do this and it cost $3,500 to upgrade the chassis at a later date.
PeterD
AnswerID:
348303