Storing a fridge outside the vehicle?

[Lindenwood]

This is a slightly dated picture of my swing-out tray, as the floor is now expanded metal rather than plywood.

In any case, I built it to haul a cooler (and water and fuel) around without taking up cargo space (I have a wife, baby, and 3 dogs).

However, I have started to get the itch for a fridge; once I learned of the newer portable cooler-sized options, it made them a lot more appealing. Honestly, it might stay in my vehicle a lot, but there will be times I'll likely need to store it out back, at least in transit.

Part of me recognizes that being outside in potential 100+F heat would be hard on any fridge. However, I also recognize that these things are probably often left in cars during the day while folks go off hiking and such (or, just, in general, go to work or whatever during the day for those running them in daily drivers).

So, would leaving it outside, running, for a few days at a time on trips be particularly hard on it? (I do expect Id likely partially cover it with a white or reflective blanket to minimize strain).

 

[Winterpeg]

ARB Elements fridge is weatherproof.
http://store.arbusa.com/ARB-Elements-Fridge-Freezer-63QT-10810602-P22960.aspx

 

[Lindenwood]

Thanks for the link!

Is this the only real option for keeping a fridge outdoors for days at a time?

 

[Winterpeg]

I'm sure a standard 4x4 fridge (many options) can handle it for a bit... it all depends on how much abuse and how exposed it is I guess.

I know my fridge (ARB) didn't like being cold. I used it in the back of the FJ in the winter for a long drive and the thermostat got confused and didn't cool properly.

 

[Lindenwood]

Yeah, I have been digging around and found a few anecdotes of folks successfully running them in open truck beds. And, even more stories of them lasting just fine over long periods in hot rigs (which is kinda their main purpose). But, indeed, it is a large investment to just leave out in the rain and dust without at least some research :) .

Thanks!

 

[Lindenwood]

Any other thoughts on this? I mostly ask because $800 for a cooler is already a little hard to swallow, and 50% more is even tougher!

 

[phxdsrtrat]

I ran my Snomaster on the tongue of my trailer for a year with no adverse effects. If the fridge comes with an insulated cover, that will definitely help. I had a custom box tarp made also to cover it. I placed some foam spacers inside the box tarp to allow for ventaliation. Keeping it out of the weather is definitely something you would want to do. I eventually built a tongue box for my fridge because of dust. Out here in the Sonoran desert the dust really plugs up the condenser.

-Curtiss

 

[Horse Soldier]

I made a wood box with a lid to open my engel fridge, the sides and lid have 2" foam board glued to them and rear is vented. Painted it white and in black letters wrote (trash only) on the lid and sides, because who would steal a trash box. I put 2 cable locks on it for peace of mind that are not visible and bungee cords on the box.

 

[Lindenwood]

I am kinda starting to lean toward one of the smaller Indel B fridges (the 31Qt one). It should be able to sit on my back seat (either the middle or the side) and be accessible through the side door, and then be light enough to move around in the vehicle as necessary (like to the front seat or onto the rear tray). As far as storing it outside goes, I think I would be fine doing this occasionally (like I said, I think mostly I could find room for it inside), and would just make or attach a pigtail for it to sit on the swing-out tray, and cover it with a tarp or purpose-built cover.

 

[Horse Soldier]

I have the 45qt. It goes on trips and I put it in the top bunk of my semi to expand my fridge storage.