The Dometic CFX3 Mega Thread

I just installed my

$761 Dometic CFX3 35 Portable Refrigerator and Freezer - 36L - Powered by AC/DC or Solar Portable Refrigerator, Smokey Gray

Dometic CFX3 35 under my Diamondback. I used a DFG Offroad slide that is made for the CFX3 35. Both the fridge and slide are well made. No complaints. I had to modify the slide slightly by moving two of the holes, but that was nothing and I almost think they shouldn't pre-drill them so that you can customize with your specific install/setup.



I was limited by my WaterPort that I wanted up against the right side wall. This does block my power inputs and storage, but I'm probably going to move those in the future. I'm not a fan of the inverter and I also have a Bluetti AC200 Solar Generator on its way that will power the setup and any other needs. I try to keep everything DC as much as possible and I might run a 12V continuous to top off the Bluetti while driving/parked, but need to check on battery cut offs to protect the battery from over draining.




I lifted it because of the bolt on the edge of the bed stiffener and I tilted it to increase how much the lid can open when the fridge is slid out.





I used stainless hardware (1/4"x20 SS bolts, fender washers, and nylon nuts). I think I had to use 1 1/4", 1 1/2" , 2" and 2 1/2". Not sure about the 1 1/4". Varying lengths due to tilting. I used aluminum 3-1/8"x3/4"x36" which I cut down to 18" lengths. I also used 1-3/4"x3/4"x36" square aluminum, also cut to 18" lengths.

The rear has one square tubing and three flat pieces. The middle had one square tubing. The front has 3 flat pieces. I used the front holes, but he middle was moved to 10 1/8" from the front holes and the rear was moved to 20 1/4" from the front holes.

I moved it as far forward as I could and it doesn't touch the tailgate when fully extended. The planning for this took a second and I had to make two home depot runs.




Hope this helps someone else looking to do this. I will be cutting my bed mat to fit around this and don't consider that to be a loss. The functionality this adds is huge. I still have plenty of room and large items like sheets of plywood have started to go on top of the Diamondback instead of under it.

 

Have you considered just drilling and bolted through your bed mat?

 

I did, but my WaterPort hangs low as well. It helps a little with clearance. In the end, I figured on the stability of direct mounting. I'll pay attention to vibration and might add rubber washers or such if needed.

 

I just found this thread and figured I should post this setup here. I deleted my single rear seat and built a platform for a Dometic CFX3 55IM and PLB40. Really stoked on this setup and have used it a ton so far. Quick rundown, the fridge runs off the PLB40, which is plugged in to the vehicle. So when the truck is off, it is purely running off the PLB40, when the truck is on, the PLB40 is charging. I may run an all-time hot plug to the PLB when I install my Odyssey group 31. On to the pics:

I did an initial layer of Stinger Roadkill Expert sound deadening to the rear wall and floor where the seat was removed. I drove it before doing this, and it was very loud. This made a drastic improvement, however it was still a bit louder than the stock seat in place, so I ordered some more and did the entire rear wall. See next pic.





I did a full layer of each type and also built/catpeted a triangle plug for the hole from the platform to behind the seats. Forgot to take a pic of that...


This is the rear wall I made. I added a lip to conform/ go over the top a bit to try and help mitigate sound escaping. The hole in the middle is for the latch the seat retains off of, as it would not allow the board to sit plumb.


Few shots of the platform itself before carpet. I wanted it as high as I could get it while still able to get the lid open. This enabled a decent amount of space below for storage (currently houses a CLS bag (trauma/first aid) as well as my air up/down gear and some Bino's. For mounting I bolted it to the stock seat brackets, which worked out really well. I was originally going to put some L brackets at the rear, connecting to the rear wall. That said it felt so solid I ended up not using them.




Some pics after install w/ carpet. Learned a lot with the carpeting, this was the biggest PITA imo. Wrapping presents is not my strong suit.





Finished product:



Had to get creative with how the fridge is strapped down, due to how tight it is in the back with the handled butted up against the back wall. Ended up mounting the d-rings under and running the strap down there to pull it all the way back and down, and it's rock solid.






For those wondering, material is 3/4" MDF and the links to everything are below.

Fridge:
https://www.dometic.com/en-us/us/pr...s/electric-coolers/dometic-cfx3-55im-_-220584

Battery:
https://www.dometic.com/en-us/us/pr...and-lighting/batteries/dometic-plb40-_-197468

Sound deadening:

$139 Stinger RKX36B Roadkill Expert Series Sound Damping Material Bulk Pack (Silver)

https://www.amazon.com/Stinger-RKX36B-Roadkill-Damping-Material/dp/B001HHP59G

Material:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/3-4-in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-MDF-Panel-D11612490970000/

Only thing I might change is moving the PLB40 to beneath the platform, by cutting a hole in the plastic storage lid/cover to have the PLB stick out the top. Only downside will be not seeing the charge level. Still haven't gotten a solid answer on if the PLB40 is OK on its side.

Cooler review: I absolutely LOVE this thing! Going outside as often as I do, this thing is a game changer. The obvious is not having to get ice before each trip, but the biggest benefit is the space gains compared to a cooler filled with ice. I can fit more than enough food & beer for everything I've done so far (longest so far is 5 days no resupply) and I really haven't needed to get too creative with the packing yet. I would definitely recommend making the jump, it is well worthwhile.

 

^^^ Really nicely done! ^^^

DOMETIC
mobile living made easy
shop.dometic.com
Use promo code TacomaW20 for $25 off your order of $75+

 

This is a great set up! Thanks for sharing how you did this and your fit under the Diamondback.

DOMETIC
mobile living made easy
shop.dometic.com
Use promo code TacomaW20 for $25 off your order of $75+

 

Is it better to run the fridge full of stove verse half empty. I picked up a 95 but now I think I should have gotten a 75. I’m sure I can swap it out for a 75 as I purchased it through REI. I just hate to not have enough space for stuff.

thanks for the help

 

My understanding is that they are more efficient when they are full. My observations of my CFX3-55IM, seem to be in line with this.

 

I agree

 

They are more efficient when full. Think "thermal mass". If something dense is already cold, you don't have to cool it much. Air isn't that dense and heats quickly. Thus, a full fridge or freezer stays cold longer and doesn't need to be cooled down as often.

 

Thank you

 

Thank you

 

Yes - definitely more efficient when on the full side

I'd also recommend chilling down your food before putting it in if you can as it will won't take as long or draw as much to get it down to the temp you want and hold it there.

DOMETIC
mobile living made easy
shop.dometic.com
Use promo code TacomaW20 for $25 off your order of $75+

 

Had my first travel with it full. Still waiting on my Solar Generator so running it off the AC inverter in the bed.

Wife was impressed. She was worried that it was taking up too much bed space and didn't have the same room on the inside s a cooler. I had to explain all the space that the ice takes up and how messy that gets. She seemed to understand after she saw it in action and how easy everything was.

Looking forward to many more trips.

 

Excellent. Great to hear your first outing with the new cooler was a hit!

DOMETIC
mobile living made easy
shop.dometic.com
Use promo code TacomaW20 for $25 off your order of $75+

 

Anyone wish they went 1 size up? I'm looking at the 35, but I'm not sure if it'll be enough for a weeklong trip for 1 or 2 people. Safer to just do a 45?

 

What can your budget and space afford?
Get the biggest you can.
The 55 has been great for a weekend trip with my wife.

 

The 55 sounds huge to me, especially when advertized to fit 83 cans. Maybe I'll measure the 55 vs 45. It's going on the bed, passenger side with fridge slide-out.

 

Then you could always do the 75...
"X cans" is a silly way to measure. My food isn't can shaped.

 

I have a 55. It's massive overkill for me since my trips largely consist of a weekend trip with just me. If I were to bring my wife along and stretch it out for a week, it would be a perfect size. 35 will definitely be too small and 45 probably too small for you.

Though it also depends on you and your cooking (i.e. refrigeration) needs. Are you eating pop tarts for breakfast or a bacon egg and cheese omelette?

One thing I would love to see is a side by side comparison of all the sizes so we could get an accurate visual representation of these fridges.