Sportsmobile Fridge Options

[Trail Monkey]

Can I get some comments from Sportsmobile owners with the RB50 layout on secondary Fridge options. What size do you use? Where do you store/mount?

thx

[ujoint]

Somebody getting close to a SMB purchase???? ;)

[Chris]

I have the standard frig that came with the RB50 and have since added an Engles 45.

I stuck it in the back, on the right hand side. As soon as I can I'll take some pics and post them. I made up a simple plat form as a base with some tie down eyelets. This way I didn't mess with the existing platform in case we want to use it along with the cushion that makes into a bed. This was all predicated on the fact there just two of us and we always use the upper bunk to sleep. Won't work if you need the down stairs bed space.

It's been a very good choice. We did three weeks this summer and had food left over, cold food that is. :victory:

Pics to follow. :)

[Trail Monkey]

Chris

thx for the info. id love to see a photo of that when convient.

thx

[Trail Monkey]

Somebody getting close to a SMB purchase???? ;)


YES SIR - I too will be a van man soon..:sombrero:

[EMrider]

I've got the norcold that comes standard in the EB-51 configuration. For 3+ years the fridge has performed well and been reliable.

But if I were starting over I'd get the larger fridge option. Lack of fridge space is always an issue on camping trips.

A portable engel 45 or similar unit would be a great option.

R

[ujoint]

YES SIR - I too will be a van man soon..:sombrero:


Awesome, I'll have to check it out next time I'm on the Island!

[Saline]

We have the larger Norcold fridge. You can put a lot of stuff in there! I pulled the fridge and added insulation because A: It seemed to cycle too often and B: It was noisey.
It's not bad now but if it goes tits up I will probably not replace it with a Norcold.

[jcbrandon]

...I too will be a van man soon

James, I'm picturing you with a giant mustache and a mullet. It's not a pretty image.

[1leglance]

Hey James,
I went for a National Luna weekender 50L for a couple of reasons...
1) Even I have trouble bending over to get stuff out of a standard side opening rv style fridge..
2) I have read complaints on the sportsmobileforum.com about noise on the Norcold
3) energy eff is much better on a top opening fridge
4) It looks much cooler :)

Now something to be aware of that we learned. ARB donated one of their new fridges to the project and the idea was to build a low flat cabinet to set the fridge on which would make the top counter hgt and give more surface when closed. However the walls of the van are curved and we couldn't open the fridge.
So we had to look around for a fridge where the top lid can open short ways instead of long ways (I will try to add some pics to this to explain). I had a choice of changing the hinges on a Engel, going with the cheap Compact Applaince fridge people are liking here or call up Paul May with Equipt and get the best....:)
Paul was super cool and National Luna is donating a Stainless steel fridge (if I was buying I would have gone for the split model for a fridge & freezer space).

Even if I didn't need a top loading fridge for Disabled Explorers I would go this route myself just since I hate bending over.

I have gone through a ton a mental strain working on our floorplan and after 2 visits to the factory I think we have it nailed..feel free to email, pm or post up all the questions you have. Working with SMB West has been very cool, they really dig that the van will be used by the disabled but then again I see how hard they work on every van so I think you will be pleased.

[Trail Monkey]

Lance

did you get any photos at the factory of how that setup for your fridge will look, or is is just decided and they still have to build it out?

i really like the idea..

thx

[1leglance]

Yeah I have pics and will have them up on the DE website and build thread here tonight...just had to put in my hours at work this week so a bit behind.

http://blairsite.com/Gallery/albums/SMB/layoutEB70.jpg
The area marked custom cabinet is where the fridge will be...
One thing that would be cool if we didn't have the wheelchair lift just inside the side doors is to mount a fridge slide which would bring the fridge right to the door and easy to get stuff out of from outside. Then again I don't think it would be a big deal no matter what.

With your RB50 layout you could have the custom cabinet go behind the drivers seat and that would give you storage under the fridge and access by the driver or passenger while driving.
http://disabledexplorers.com/images/stories/adapt/ProjectVehicles/SMB/2ndfresnovisit-1.jpg
You can see in the pic above that the curve of the van wall means you have to use a fridge opens sideways vs lengthways, that means either customizing an Engel (there is a thread on ih8mud), one of the cheap chinese fridges talked about here or the National Luna.
A couple of cool things about the NL fridge:
1) Battery protection built into it with a changeable setting you can see from the front.
2) Hella plug that is super positive locking
3) Fast freeze mode
4) Shinny outside and even more shinny inside
5) Insulated transit bag to help the fridge be even more efficent
6) If I remember right the NL fridge won the Overland Journal test as the best fridge



I really think once people start seeing how a top opening off road fridge in action that SMB West will be getting a lot more request.

[Trail Monkey]

im totally on board with a top opening fridge. not sure why it hasnt been perfected in the layout in the past. you disabled folks are real innovators..:sombrero: that shiny NL will look sick finished off in the truck.. i cant wait to work this out on my truck..:smiley_drive:

[trailsurfer]

James,

One thing to consider. The normal sized Norcold has worked great for 2-3 day trips. And for longer trips I have the Engel 45 that I keep in the back while traveling and then can move outside to the side or back of the Sportsmobile for easy access. Also, when using both one can be the freezer and one can be the fridge. You can put either in the Freezer setting and you are good to go.

[Trail Monkey]

James,

One thing to consider. The normal sized Norcold has worked great for 2-3 day trips. And for longer trips I have the Engel 45 that I keep in the back while traveling and then can move outside to the side or back of the Sportsmobile for easy access. Also, when using both one can be the freezer and one can be the fridge. You can put either in the Freezer setting and you are good to go.

M

you have gobs of space with that EB, im afraid of using up the little i have left in the rear...

[1leglance]

When standing inside the DE rig looking at the National Luna I would say you could fit large fridge and not notice a difference.
The guys there are masters at making use of the space aval...

I really like the idea of having some freezer & fridge space and that is why I was really thinking of the National Luna Weekender Split
http://www.equipt1.com/h/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/935dac6d769deda3fb343ae33b5bf8e0.jpg

[trailsurfer]

M

you have gobs of space with that EB, im afraid of using up the little i have left in the rear...


Great point. I would go with the Luna. I like my Engel, but the Luna is another step up and I really like the ability to dial in the temp from the control panel.

[dzzz]

I don't think anyone mentioned the double drawer (not door) Vitifrigo. 5.1 cu ft., ~$1400, rechargable Danfoss (Norcold is sealed). I have to get on my knees to see a floor refig. With drawers I just look down. Doesn't take up counter space, yet keeps the cold in.

http://www.vfamerica.com/eng/catalog.asp?id=2448&n=oceandrawer

[Blackeye]

We are considering the National Luna for our next build. The Norcold is okay, but we're thinking it would be nice to have an NL mounted at countertop height with countertop material on the lid. I like the true 2-zone and the security of the door operation.

Here we go...copying the W.A.V.E.

[1leglance]

Hey Andy you really need to come up to SEMA with Peter and then you can go see the 74L National Luna fridge that has 2 compartments and 2 lids for a real fridge freezer that will keep in the cold better.

I look at the yachet stuff for really cool ideas. The drawer fridge would be neat, not sure of the cost.

One thing I like about something like the National Luna that hasn't been mentioned is the portability...you can take it to a party, in your garage, out on the beach and anywhere else you want. Kind of a neat way to get more value out of the fridge either when the rig is sitting or you want to be different.

[beernutmark]

One thing I like about something like the National Luna that hasn't been mentioned is the portability...you can take it to a party, in your garage, out on the beach and anywhere else you want. Kind of a neat way to get more value out of the fridge either when the rig is sitting or you want to be different.

Yea but you can almost buy 2 ARB 50qt fridges for the price of the National Luna. You could leave one in the van full time and have a second one that lives in the garage and goes in the van for long trips! :victory:

I know that you guys have already settled on the NL but here is what I probably would have done...

Put the ARB on a sliding shelf platform that would pull out. The back of the fridge would go against the van wall with the side against the drivers seat. This platform would hold the ARB at counter height. It would only have to pull out about 12" or so for the lid to work well. Have a hinge top counter piece that would fill the gap left when the fridge was pulled out. You would then have an "L" shaped kitchen layout with the short part of the L being the ARB fridge behind the drivers seat and the long part along the van wall. With some good Accuride drawer slides (500 lbs) the fridge would be super stable, you would gain some counter space and you would save about $400.00 ($500 fridge diff - $100 ish for the slides)

You could also use one of the side opening Engels and do the same thing. It would then open up toward the front of the van.

That NL fridge is really cool but I just can't see paying $500 more for a 10L freezer compartment when for just $250 more than that I could have two fridges. I could stack them one over the other (on sliders) for huge fridge space!!! Course I would need more battery power....:p

Mark

[Trail Monkey]

Interesting ideas and products suggested, thanks for the input..

[beernutmark]

The back of the fridge would go against the van wall with the side against the drivers seat.

Paying a little more attention I noticed that the fridge is at the rear of the van going lengthwise. My idea still could work but not as cleanly as it would up front. It would probably block the rear exit if pulled out all the time. Still, the basic idea would work. The shelf would only have to slide out a few inches (maybe 5 or so) and could easily be slid in and out to open the fridge. The counter top extension from my previous idea wouldn't come into play though.

Mark

[1leglance]

lots of great ideas and that is the best part of working on something like a Sportsmobile..
you have this big empty shell and they can build it if you can think of it.

Funny how I am loving this thread and yet mine is almost done...nothing like spending someone elses money :)

[Chris]

:D Oh my I'm glad mine is done....................Hmm maybe I could remodel.....I like the double drawer idea.

:yikes:

Trail Monkey: Pposting pictures of the Engles in the back tomarrow. I thew it in today to take some pictures and my wife got all excited ....thought we were going somewhere. LOL Not such a good suprise.

[Trail Monkey]

:D Oh my I'm glad mine is done....................Hmm maybe I could remodel.....I like the double drawer idea.

:yikes:

Trail Monkey: Pposting pictures of the Engles in the back tomarrow. I thew it in today to take some pictures and my wife got all excited ....thought we were going somewhere. LOL Not such a good suprise.

sounds like youve got the right kind of wife..! thx for taking the time for the photos..

[Topher Walters]

I have the EB-50 and a Norcold fridge. It works fine but I usually am traveling alone. If I were going to do it again I would have gone with the next size up in fridge. I usually put my food in the fridge and I carry an Igloo ice chest on the back bumper swingout for ice and drinks. I had a zippered canvas cover made for the Igloo so the dust stays out. It works for me.

[Chris]

Trail Monkey;

Here you go I took some of the 12v cord, the bed platform, the platform without cushion, the frige from the inside and out side and the frige open and closed. Plus some extras. Sorry for the quality....phone pics!!

Had I known what I know now, I would have got the bigger 4cft Norclod originally however I would still use the Engles for longer trips. I would have had the shop add a 12v plug in the back close to the frig location. I also might have done a custom configuration by moving the shower location to allow the frige to sit closer to the outside wall and I would have lowered the platform to suite just the frig floor area to allow better access. Basically reconfigure of the entire back platform area, I still might. The patform I made was just to make it fit tighter than the original and because I drilled and bolted it to the 'L' bracket. I also usen a ruber foam tile to help deaden the sound and vibration.....Worked! The cord just tucks into the seam thats already there for a clean look. tried to show that in the pics. Its still a bit short though. The top has to be proped open, for me a pain for my wife not so bad she uses her head...Literally!! Velcrow strap is a thought.

We really like the portability of the Engles. We did use the basic Norcold for the first year and it was very doable on a two week trip...just needs some planning and someone that’s good at packing it.

Now, our last trip was three weeks+ and we used the Engles for pre frozen goods on the bottom very cold on top and transferred to the small SMB frig up front. We had frozen just thawed food in our third week; this comes from a lot of trial and error on other trips of course.

The only thing I would change is those that would be associated with knowledge gained for a new build.

Hope this helps, good luck.

Heh I think we’re almost as excited as we were to see ours. Happy for you!!

:wings:

[Chris]

Can never have to many, heres a few more.

:sombrero:

[dzzz]

I've started talking to SMB. I'm thinking about my engle 45 on the floor behind the drivers seat next to the built in fridge (EB 50).

Chris, what size is your Engle?

[Trail Monkey]

chris, thx agian fo rthe photos. actually very helpful in seeing what space i would have left if I go this route. really looking forward to seeing what the SMB crew can come up with this week.. ill post the results for sure..

[Chris]

dzzz, Sorry about that ! It's an Engle 45. That would be a good place for it in a EB just not so good for an RB

Cant wait for the pictures, gotta love the new ideas.

Hey dzzz, why not on the sportsmobileforum? I assume now that you own one?

[trailsurfer]

chris, thx agian fo rthe photos. actually very helpful in seeing what space i would have left if I go this route. really looking forward to seeing what the SMB crew can come up with this week.. ill post the results for sure..


James, I have 12 volt outlets underneath my back seat facing the lounge area, one at the back of the SMB next to the shower outlet, and one outside right next to my side doors. This allows me to power my Engel, inside and out.

[Gear]

Chris wrote
The top has to be proped open, for me a pain for my wife not so bad she uses her head...Literally!! Velcrow strap is a thought.


You might take a look at this BajaTaco did a great mod with a magnet.

http://www.bajataco.com/fridge/fridge6.html

Pretty slick if you ask me!

[Chris]

Ingenious indeed!! My mind is in overdrive now, didn't really like the idea of Velcro.

Thanks Much........Hey how do you quote from a prior post? it's not working for me......LOL....I'm just not doing it right.

Thanxs again.

[Trail Monkey]

Chris wrote

You might take a look at this BajaTaco did a great mod with a magnet.

http://www.bajataco.com/fridge/fridge6.html

Pretty slick if you ask me!

Chris is the Shizle..... Super cool, super simple idea..

[dzzz]

dzzz, Sorry about that ! It's an Engle 45. That would be a good place for it in a EB just not so good for an RB

Cant wait for the pictures, gotta love the new ideas.

Hey dzzz, why not on the sportsmobileforum? I assume now that you own one?

I'm in the process of design. I will look at used too, especially since I want a EB50.
I've read most of sportsmobileforum.com, if that's what you mean.
I'm also thinking about two Engels on sliders in cabinets with a counter above. I don't want the fridge/freezer hatch to be a countertop. If stuff is on the counter, it has to be moved to open the fridge. I really don't like the norcold type fridge sitting on the floor.