Types of Fridges for WA temperatures

I'm lucky enough to have a two different types of fridge. The 3 way is for base camp setups only - I couldn't imagine trying to use it as a car fridge. Thermo electric are really only a picnic fridge and are unsuccessful as a longer term proposition.
A dual battery and a compressor fridge is a bit of an expense, but once it's set up you'll wonder how you ever lived without one.
I've had 4 different brands of compressor fridges, and have settled on a 60 litre evacool as it suits my purposes, fits the space I have, and I clean it easily (A simple but often overlooked requirement by the two biggest manufacturers)
Work out how you're going to set up the vehicle, measure the fridge space, then go shopping.

Hi Ken

This is the easiest fridge question. The difference is that your thermo electric unit are never referred to as fridges, but coolers for the very reason that they are designed to cool the contents inside by around 20 degrees of the outside ambient air temperature, while the good major brands of true fridges, will keep things frozen in the very hot weather.

You have answered your own question "I am usually mobile in hot temperatures and want a cold one at the end of the day"

So the only way to go is a true fridge and not the cooler.


Cheers


Stephen

Hi Ken,

I've got and Engel and a Evakool, both superb but if I had the coin and needed my fridge to perform in really high temps regularly I'd look at the Trailblazer with 75mm insulation or even contact em to make a custom with 125mm insulation and 2 compressors in a smaller size then quoted

Pricey yes but it'll work in the hottest places.

Cheers Wilko

G'day Ken

Owning and running a tour company that specialises in central Australia I can tell you from my experience that the Trailblazer is the best for extreme high temperatures. My old Patrol ute had 2 fridges permanently bolted to the tray - a 60 litre Engel and a 60 litre Trailblazer and on the days of 45 plus in the sun the only fridge that you could get something "cold" out of was the Trailblazer ! On one trip where the temperature was 50 every day we had 6 vehicles with a total of 9 fridges (all sorts) and ALL the fridges gave up except the Trailblazer which spent all it's time in the sun. So from this, you can work out we didn't put the milk, butter and chops in the Trailblazer !! The downside of the Trailblazer is it's size (obviously because of the 75mm insulation) but it's fine for the back of a traytop but very big and bulky for the back of a wagon. My current personal vehicle is a spacecab Rodeo which has a 50 litre waeco behind the passenger seat and I'm very very happy with it - as long as you are on the move and or hook it up to a gennie once stopped !

Hope this helps !

Happy travelling

Gazz

Hi Ken

I have owned a 60 lt. Trailblaza for 14 yrs. and has been held down with turn buckles in 3 traytops, the previous 2 trucks had no canopy. My old blue heeler dog used to stand up on it and look over the rack and suck in the wind!
It's had posts, firewood, 20 lt. drums etc hit up against it, suffering a few dents and abrasions, but never missed a beat. Try that with a tin or plastic fridge.

We have travelled extensively over Aussie, in all weathers and with friends with Engels etc. In all fairness to brand types, other than the Trailbaza, the next best was the Engel, and the main differences being their owners had to,

(a) Alter their settings at sunrise and sunset to suit the up coming conditions.
(b)To get maximum performance to save power, keep an insulated cover on.

I have never had frozen eggs or beer in the mornings, or hot beer and spoiled food in the arvo's in my Trailblaza. I never have to alter the settings.


Good luck Ken

Regards Nick

I too have had all types of compressor fridges. The best has been the National Luna, followed by Engel, Evacool and Waeco way down the bottom of the list. But it does depend on the use, treatment, climate etc, and also dollars might come into the equasion too. I expect my fridges to stand up to rough treatment, be well insulated (work well in hot climates) and refridgerate evenly throughout. Haven't tried the ARB or Trailblazer. Will.

Thanks to all

Like always - you tend to get what you pay for .... and I will very much take the comments on board about the Evakool and the Trailblaza.


Ken

4WD Action did a comprehensive comparison with a number of brands out in Central Aus several months ago that would be well worth a read if you can get your hands on it.

Interestingly price did not necessarily relate to best performance.

Interestingly the swing style compressor of the Engel did not perform as well as some of the fridges with Danfross ones in the extreme temps.

Of course fridge size, price and reliability are also factors to consider, for me as good a wrap as the Trailblazer unit gets, it is too bulky for me to carry but may not be an issue for you.

Good Luck