Fridge freezer advise please.

Although I am sure the ARB fridge is a good product, I can only speak of my experience with the Engel fridge/freezer.

As the Engel has been around for quite some time, there is a range of accessories available from both Engel and third parties to enhance the fridge usability.

The thermal cover is a great addition, adding to the thermal protection of the inside and also providing mechanical protection from knocks and scratches.

I particularly like the add on roller which makes the fridge easier to move when full.

If your family "expands" or you just need extra room for some trips, you can buy a third party "Twozone" compartment to suit the 40 litre model, which doubles the capacity. You simply remove the lid on the Engel replacing it with the Twozone, then place the lid back on top.

There is a range of other accessories to suit specific needs, but overall the Engel has the runs on the board as a reliable and proven compressor fridge.

Allan

This topic comes up every three months or so.
If you do a search on Fridges within this Forum you will find numerous threads extolling the virtues of various brands, sizes, fridge or fridge/freezer and so on.
The ARB did win a fridge comparison that one of the 4WD mags I used to subscribe to 3-4 years ago, but there will be plenty of votes for other brands.
Engel and Waeco are more numerous and have more numerous repair centres around Australia should you need them.

The main thing I raise when people ask about fridges is have you considered how you are going to power it?
If you buy a 40+L fridge and have any thoughts of ........
1) letting your vehicle cigarette lighter power it when the engine is switched off, forget it, it won't (possible exception is Engel).
You have to install heavier wiring, see the Waeco web site they will explain this.
No 4WDs have heavy enough gauge wiring and the resultant voltage drop is too great.

2) Letting your vehicle power your fridge overnight in summer? Hope you like jump starting your vehicle the next morning then as well as being prepared for shorter battery life.

Basically I am saying be prepared to spend another grand on a second battery set up under your bonnet with heavier wiring to the rear A cheaper option is a stand alone power supply (deep cycle battery / AGM, Thumper etc.. ) in the back of your vehicle and then you can probably only rely on them for 12-24 hours before they need recharging.

The fridge retailers don't tell you these things until you have read the fine print after you have already shelled out $1000 or so on the fridge.

If you intend to use the fridge primarily whilst the vehicle is travelling, then you won't need any alternate power supply, but you should at least invest in a set of Jumper leads and carry them when you camp overnight.

Allan

We have a 40 lt Engel, with an insulation bag.
They are nothing short of brilliant.
Had it for 6 years or more, and never let us down.
Mates is 20 years old, and looks all of the 20 years too, but he can leave it for 12 months, and just plug it in, and away it goes.

I would be highly suprised if you cannot get one delivered anywhere in Oz, with a Bag for $1250, and cheaper if you shop around. !

My advice is to wait for the Caravan & Leisure sShow's to come into your area, then with about 1 hr to go, on the last day, move in and haggle.
That always works !

Cheers
Bucky

Allan, yes you asked a huge question! So many people have different opinions as everyone’s needs are different. Plus your needs usually change as you do different trips. We looked at all brands and each dealer gave different opinions and it just became very confusing.
We settled on a Waeco 50. It had all of the features that suited our needs at that time and we got it at a caravan/camping show and were able to drive a extremely good bargain. Very happy with the fridge, but sometimes wished we went to the next size up. Some trips we use it as a fridge freezer, other trips just as a fridge. It now tends to live in the back of our cruiser and has even come in handy as a second fridge when staying with friends and family.
So make sure whatever brand you get, settle on the right size, not for just now, but for the future. Kevin

I have noticed"Ironman" fridges advertised in the 4WD mags recently that looks identical to the ARB and is MUCH cheaper.

I suspect ARB may have not satisfied the makers volume requirements and they are selling to another distributor who perhaps does not have the same profit demands.
I haven't seen them side by side . Anyone?

Regards Philip A

There was a recent comparisome done on Extreme 4x4 late last year and the ARB fridge came out on top apparently a little bit of shine has come off Engel in the last couple of years.

have a look at thread 13457. Its an oldie i noticed some of the members back then are still around. May have even posted on this thread. I thought engel/arb was the same thing only different colour and stamp.

Depending on how much you have to spend the Trailbalza is a great fridge.

Other than that the major brands like, Engel, Waeco and Evacool have a lot of good reports on the forum.

We bought the 50L Waeco, which works very well, however It did have a problem with the electronics, which were replaced under warranty.

Next time I will buy an Evakool or Trailblaza because of the insulation and more robust controls, particularly the Trailblaza.

Regards

Allan,

An excellent solution for your auxiliary battery for your Colorado is the Sidewinder Flyer

Has everything you need (except battery) for about $395.

Very happy with mine. I also bought an accessory bracket from Derek that secures the Flyer to the back of my Cargo Drawer System.

Just install an AGM battery and you will have a secure auxiliary battery to power your fridge, etc.

Many thanks everyone,. Your input has been a great help.

Cheers,
Allan.

Hi Allant2
Do really need a Freezer

What are you going to do How long are you going to travel ie Week end,

week, 6 months.

Terry

hi Allan
Too keep the freezer going for that time it does not matter what brand freezer u buy it will take a lot of 12 volt power using just a alternator you will run out of batter when you are camping/ parked

Staying in cabins with power 240 volt will lesson the drain oin the vehicle battery

Driving for 2 to 3 hrs. a day will not charge up you 2nd bat

you will need extra source of power calculate what the choice of the freezer for 24 hrs and then see what you need and when you need it

Terry

i bought an engle 80 for 1500 from anaconda when on special only one to by. i seen engle fall from sa toyota put a big dent in it still worked like to see an arb do it