Access Cab Refrigerator

Looking for recommendations for an affordable 12v refrigerator that will fit behind the drivers seat in a 3rd gen access cab. I have seen some decently reviewed options on Amazon, but curious what size and/or form factor people have had good luck with.

 

Hey Brent, I'm looking for the same and have pretty much settled on the

$847 Dometic CFX3 35 Portable Refrigerator and Freezer - 36L - Powered by AC/DC or Solar Portable Refrigerator, Smokey Gray

Dometic CFX3 35 but am waiting for them to go on sale somewhere. Hoping for a Memorial Day sale. I've done a rear seat delete in my access cab and may have a bit more room than you, but I think you will find a bunch of options that will fit. The Dometic are a bit pricy, but I'm thinking the longevity and quality will pay off in the long run. What other option on Amazon have peaked your interest?

 

I was looking at something like this:

$190 BougeRV 12 Volt Refrigerator 12V Car Fridge 23 Quart Portable Freezer Compressor Cooler 12/24V DC 110~240 Volt AC for Truck Van RV Camper SUV Travel Camping Road Trips Tailgating -7℉~50℉

BougeRV 12 Volt Refrigerator 12V Car Fridge 23 Quart

It comes in a couple of different sizes and my other question as I explore my options is are people running new wiring for a fridge or just plugging into the existing outlet up front?

 

You'll want to run a hardwired socket or plug for it. Fridges dont like the power loss.
As a word of caution. Careful with cheap fridges. Look, if it works and works great. All for it.
Ive been burned on a cheap Amazon Cosco? one and a IceCo. Spent the money and got a SnowMaster 56l. Well worth the money. So, for me I advocate buy once, cry once. However, Not opposed to looking for a deal locally or online if you need to.

 

I was planning on using this either hardwired or between the socket and fridge. The idea being it keeps power to the fridge all day whether the car is on or not and maybe keep power on for a little bit into the night. But no risk of killing truck battery

$75 RoyPow 30W PD Portable Charger with 12V/10A Cigarette Lighter Socket, 86.58Wh USB C Laptop Power Bank, 18W QC& 12V DC External Battery Pack, perfect for MacBook Air iPad Phone Dash Cam or Camping

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08JGDGYJY?smid=AHXC7FJI15TL1&ref_=chk_typ_imgToDp

 

Thats not gonna work well. It will probably overheat and fail. Fridges will pull up to 10-15amps depending on efficiency.
You want something like the ARB or Dometic hardwire kit. Or a full size battery thing like a goal zero jackery etc.

 

I realized this after I posted, I looked at the numbers and the the cheap option is not gonna work. The fridge I have is rated at 60 Watts so in theory it should only be pulling 5 amps. Theory vs practice are two different things.

 

I don't know if this will work for you, depending on how you are going to mount it. But you can give this one a shot.

https://www.costco.com/massimo-cx40-12v-portable-e-kooler.product.100566493.html

I have had it for ~2 years now and have kept it plugged in when not in the truck/van. So far so good, it gets cold to freezing. It has gone off road with us and I don't run it on an second battery or anything like that. It is only plugged in/on when the truck is running. Only issue I have had is that the display leds are going bad, but it hasn't died to the point I cannot read the display.

EDIT: I have had it plugged into a car jumper/inverter and the display on the jumper showed about 48-60 watts when the compressor comes one.

 

When they first kick on is when they pull the most amps. Plus, if its hot and you set it for freezing. Going to pulling amps for a bit to cooldown.

 

I bought a BougeRV fridge and it failed on its maiden voyage, the reviews on Amazon are great but they seem to fail often according to folks on FB. I replaced it with an ICECO and so far so good

 

I have an Aspenora 37qt in my access cab and it has been great for me. Gets super cold if you want. Seems to be well insulated, because it doesn't run too often and doesn't pull much over night.

 

My old Edgestar has been sitting in the laundry room running for the last two years, before that I used it in my truck, either behind the passenger seat or in the back. No problem running it off the 400watt inverter (400w anytime mod) or 12vDC. The newer Dometic, Engel, ARB, Truma, National Luna, etc are better units (more efficient and durable) but a lot more expensive too.

 

I've got a Iceco JP30 brand new in box for sale, I have it in the "other" classified ads on here

 

Because I travel solo and I wanted to use the rear section of my cab. It is a National Luna single zone.

 

I run a ausranvik 37 from Amazon. Has worked great for me for Over a year!

 

Portable Car Refrigerator With 37 Quart /35L Capacity And Freezer & Refrigerator Compartment, Anti-Shake High Efficient Camping Cooler For -4℉ to 50℉, Silent 12V Refrigerator For Car & Home Use, 12 V DC/ 110V AC, Sliver

$240 Portable Car Refrigerator With 37 Quart /35L Capacity And Freezer & Refrigerator Compartment, Anti-Shake High Efficient Camping Cooler For -4℉ to 50℉, Silent 12V Refrigerator For Car & Home Use, 12 V DC/ 110V AC, Sliver

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09B4XDHK3