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Need more fridge/freezer

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unorthodoxneon

Expert Expediter
Well in my alumi bunk sleeper i have the little micro fridge w/ the pointless freezer. After many long waits and frequent truck stop visits i noticed that they have some Fridge/Freezers that you can put in like a side bunk and hook up to a 12v source or maybe even plug into the inverter. I was wondering if anyone has and suggestions. Me and the g/f run pretty hard and stay out for quite a few weeks and would rather cook in the truck then eat road kill err i mean truck stop food. We have a george forman grill, crockpot, and the usual microwave.


Thanks for your help,
Randy
 
fortwayne

fortwayne

Not a Member
Hey fellow cat driver -

Some of the frig's in these trucks are not the best but they do serve a purpose. However, adding one of those 'cheap' boxes you see at Pilot, TA and the Flying J is a good thought - I did it and it does give extra space. I would suggest however going to Walmart or a discount big box store instead of paying the high market up at the truck stops.

Fort Wayne
'Stand Up For Yourself - Don't Wait For Someone Else'
 
N

nobb4u

Expert Expediter
If you get one of the 12 volt things you find at the truck stop they are only going to keep anything you put into about 30 degrees below the ambient temperature (75 in sleeper 45 in cooler) not cool enough to keep food at safe temp.
 
fortwayne

fortwayne

Not a Member
If you are looking for a freezer that is a pricing procedure I believe. What I would suggest is just buy what you need when you need it. A 10-minute stop into a local grocery store where you are in between runs at is not going to hurt you. Heck, stop at a store for a quick break, in between runs, etc.


Fort Wayne
'Stand Up For Yourself - Don't Wait For Someone Else'
 
greg334

greg334

Veteran Expediter
I think if you are serious about a freezer, redytrk suggestion is one consideration but be prepared to spend some money. Engel is the top of the line for portable fridges, used all over the world in expeditions. I loved the one I had until it dissapeared in Africa.

Just an FYI;

The little fridges that you buy at the truck stops, Wal-Mart and Cabelas are not real fridges but electrothermo coolers. They have no compressor and act like a heat pump.

The entry level fridges, like the little dorm fridges you but for $100 or so at Wal-mart are ok, but they tend to burn out with inverters. Cheaply made and two or three manufacures make most of them.

The next step is the RV fridge, better made but still a pain. Many are 115V but a number of them (mid price range norcold comes to mind) are 12 volt which uses one of two brands of compressors - both expensive.

The upper level fridge are from Adler-Barbour, Waeco, Iso-therm and Norcold. All 12 volt and all very good systems and all made for harsh enviorments.
 
B

Broompilot

Veteran Expediter
Fort Wayne,

I use to agree with what you just said by going to a store. Problem now is fuel is $3.00 a gallon. A ten mile one way trip will cost you over $6.00 just in fuel plus the meal.

This is just what I try to do but does not always apply to the person giving such advice.

Once a week I will visit a real Grocery Store not Walmart. Stock up on about three dinners, enough for breakfeast, and lunch. Knowing the longer I am out there the sicker I get of my own company and food.

Before ever leaving the house I always stock up on things I love. Than I throw them all out after 7 days except for the two frozen dinners.

Sometimes its more cost effective to just pay the price at the truck stop. SOMETIMES....
 
M

midtnguy

Seasoned Expediter
A friend of mine bought one of these small ice makers, he didnt hook up the water line and now he has a great little freezer for under 200 bucks!! Its about 2ft tall and it works great. :D
 
gandrew

gandrew

Expert Expediter
We added freezer capacity with a $99 dorm size refrigerator. Turned up the cold all the way and it would hold a lot of frozen dinners. Use the ones in the lower part during the first week. Truck's inverter never bothered it, but we do have a large inverter. Finally took it out because we needed the space it used up. Now we shop more frequently and throw away less. Generic recipe we like: Dinty Moore type 90 second meal, add a can or pouch of chicken meat, serve over pouch of 90 second Uncle Ben's rice in a bag. Endless variations are possible, serves two quite well, no dishes or pans to wash!:9
 
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tonymcc

Expert Expediter
I would also recommend the Engle! Yes, it's pricy, but well worth it ... and the battery demand will probably be the lowest you'll find. You can use it as a 0 degree freezer or a fridge ... and it makes a nice seat! We've used these on our sailboat and our truck.

Tony
Panther Elite
 
redytrk

redytrk

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
>I would also recommend the Engle! Yes, it's pricy, but well
>worth it ... and the battery demand will probably be the
>lowest you'll find. You can use it as a 0 degree freezer or
>a fridge ... and it makes a nice seat! We've used these on
>our sailboat and our truck.
>
>Tony
>Panther Elite

With the Engel we can load up about a dozen frozen dinners.(Lean Cuisine our favorite) And say goodbye to high fat/high cost TS food. Even ice cream stays frozen (Bluebell is our favorite). Yes ice cream is one of the basic food groups.
 
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