Camping Fridge or Fridge/Freezer

[Jim Oaks]

Looking for feedback on those of you with fridges for your truck.

What brand / size do you have and is it just a fridge, or dual zone with a fridge and freezer?

I've used a cooler for a long time and froze my meats beforehand. But they're only good for a few days once they're thawed. I figured I could just plan it as I would if I was using a cooler of ice, but just wanted to see what the rest of you were doing.

 

[Robertmangrum.rm]

I'm running a single zone 34 quart Black Forest by Webasto. I don't beleive Webasto even makes the portable fridges anymore. Kyle here at work, has a 30 liter Vevor. I believe it's dual zone. Think he picked it up for like 140.
I've been able to carry enough stuff for 7 days in mine. I usually only keep a few drinks in the fridge and just swap a warm one back in when I drink one to save space on long trips.
It's been in my bed now for about 3 years running constantly. A portable fridge is a game changer for anyone who uses a cooler on a regular basis. With ice around 5 dollars a big these days. It would pay for itself in no time. My neighbor don't camp but works construction. He used to carry a big cooler everyday. I talked him into a fridge about 3 months ago. He thanks me everytime I see him haha. He said now he don't have to stop and get ice every morning and evening after work. He did have a cheap 40 quart Igloo from Walmart haha. No fancy new cooler.

 

[Curious Hound]

I got an Iceco VL60. 60 qts (63 liters?). Dual zone. I can switch either side to freezer or refrigerator or bot the same function. It came with an insulated cover and cords for 12vdc and 120vac. I also got their sliding mounting bracket and welded nuts under my bed floor so it's easy to mount or remove. Since I don't have a covered bed, I keep it in the house when not in use.

Admittedly, this is bigger than what I "need". But, Livvy's food is supposed to be kept frozen and I have always had issues trying to keep it cold on trips. Since she won't be with me in Colorado, I may have room to carry frozen meals for most of the trip, if not the whole trip. I'll probably start out with the big section in freezer mode. Then switch sides when the frozen stuff gets used up enough.

This until does NOT have any kind of phone app for monitoring or settings. I'm OK with that. It has a nice LCD screen and touch panel on one corner that can be seen and used with the insulated cover in place.

I stuck it in the truck without the slide last Sunday so I could take ice cream to a group luncheon after church.

Got a weatherproof lockung plug and socket from Amazon. Mounted to socket in the truck bed and spliced the plug onto the supplied 12vdc cord.

Control panel in lower right corner.

 

[RobbieD]

I've used a cooler for a long time and froze my meats beforehand. But they're only good for a few days once they're thawed.

If you don't freeze your meat, you can't have any pudding.

How can you have any pudding if you don't freeze yer meat?

 

[Curious Hound]

If you don't freeze your meat, you can't have any pudding.

How can you have any pudding if you don't freeze yer meat?

 

[Blmpkn]

I forget what brand and size mine is... It's worked extremely well though. Draws about 55w while its running.. will get cold enough to freeze.. and the 550w power station I was running it off of would keep it going for juuuuuust about 24 hours if kept out of the sun with ambient temp being 70-75. Once I get home I'll upload some pics

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Mine is a dual zone or I can take the divider out and it is just a fridge.

Amazon.com: DEAPRULL 12 Volt Refrigerator, 65Quart (61L) Dual Zone Electric Cooler APP Control, Car Fridge -4℉-68℉ 12/24V DC 100-240V AC, Portable Car Refrigerator for Camping, Truck, RV, Travel : Automotive

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I’m taking notes… years ago I used to maintain a small cooler all the time in the truck until temps got too cold in the winter.

Last year I was maintaining a big cooler on a regular basis but I had access to free ice from the restaurant Lisa was working at. I was allowed to raid their ice machine at the end of the night. I have a decent cooler, if you’re maintaining it full of ice, it will hold ice for almost a week if you keep it out of the sun.

I have thought about getting an ice machine for at home to eliminate the cost of buying ice, but one of the big downfalls to ice is that it takes up valuable cooler space, so then you almost need two coolers. A fridge/freezer that plugs into the vehicle would solve problems.

 

[Shran]

Iceco VL45 single zone here. I am very happy with it. Plenty of room for two people and several meals.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I have thought about getting an ice machine for at home to eliminate the cost of buying ice, but one of the big downfalls to ice is that it takes up valuable cooler space, so then you almost need two coolers. A fridge/freezer that plugs into the vehicle would solve problems.

The constant thorn in my side with a cooler... keeping water out of the food.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

The constant thorn in my side with a cooler... keeping water out of the food.

Yup, you have to stay on top of keeping them drained if there’s any food in there.

 

[Curious Hound]

The constant thorn in my side with a cooler... keeping water out of the food.

This. ^^^

I have found Zip-loc bags to be unreliable. Lost 4 or 5 of Livvy's meals that way. She was happy, though, because I substituted by buying ground beef and make link hamburgers for her each night. I've had other food ruined, also with water intrusion.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

This. ^^^

I have found Zip-loc bags to be unreliable. Lost 4 or 5 of Livvy's meals that way. She was happy, though, because I substituted by buying ground beef and make link hamburgers for her each night. I've had other food ruined, also with water intrusion.

Oddly Kraft resealable sliced cheese packaging kept water out better than double ziplocked anything in Kentucky.

Then while offroading things pinball around in the water too, to add to the cocktail floating around in the cooler we had a couple applesause cups crushed.

 

[holyford86]

I picked up a used 47 quart ARB single zone a couple of years back, it works quite well. I've used it a half dozen or so times in the woods and at least that many times running food related errands to keep meats cold or frozen until I get home (nearest Costco is in another state, usually make a day out of the trip). it'll run on 12, 24, 120, and 240v and my little power station will run it for about a day if I don't have the solar panels hooked to it. The power system on the camper will run it indefinitely as long as I get at least a couple hours of halfway decent sun per day.

For short day wheeling trips I'll just use a small cooler and some ice packs, I've got an Ozark trail yeti clone from Walmart, it'll stay below 40 degrees for over a day without issue. If I use ice it stays cooler longer.

 

[scotts90ranger]

The constant thorn in my side with a cooler... keeping water out of the food.

I've switched to ice packs and jugs (half gallon or 2L bottles) just shy of full with the air squeezed out and like half a cup of rock salt then freeze that, works much better and you don't end up with soggy food...