Installing a fridge in our new truck?

I took the passenger side cabinet out for my fridge because I wanted a bigger fridge and being able to slide passenger seat up gives more room..I went with a 3.1 cu fridge freezer combo, it has a real freezer on it and is pretty good size, none of that sandwich size freezer bs. I just removed the lower cabinet/closet and the microwave fits on top of fridge... I installed a 2200w inverter and when running fridge it only pulls 5% of inverter. When I run microwave and fridge it pulls 55% percent .. . the inverter will Bluetooth to my phone to show usage and set up alarms..

Years ago I ran a 1500w inverter and couldn’t run fridge and microwave at same time, something to think about..

 

If all you want is a refrigerator, you have a few options; the simplest but most expensive route is to buy one made for the truck, about $600 install is a couple bolts & a bracket maybe some wire splicing. Cheapest route but needs more time is to buy an inverter and find one that will fit, make a bracket for it, bolt it down, some math & some wire splicing.

Now the math
AC watts/ 110= ac amps
Ac amps* 10=quotient
Quotient*12 (or 24 if your truck runs on 24 look @ battery wiring)= base number
Base number* 1.1= inverter RMS
RMS * 3= Minimum inverter size (if its a UL458 if not then it's a gamble so just buy bigger)

 

Why use so much power with an AC fridge and inverter when there are lots of good 12v fridges made nowadays? I have had a few Truckfridges and they are great. Using one of their chest type fridges now in my truck. I had a big residential size one in my last camper and have put a few in vans I've had too. They make front door models, still 12v, and they use a fraction of the power of running an inverter.

I still use an inverter too but just for microwave and coffee pot so I don't need a huge one.

Truckfridge.com

 

Very easy to do. One of the first things I did with my old Columbia as well as in my KW.

You need to install an inverter. Depending how many other devices you intend to power,.. Coffee maker, microwave,. hot plate,.. TV,.. etc,. you will need an inverter of adequate wattage to power these things and wired correctly with the proper gauge cables.

I would not buy the cheap chinese inverters the truck stops sell. And no,.. a 150 watt 12v inverter is not going to work.

I would suggest at the very least a 3000 watt inverter. You dont have to need that much,.. but its there for when ever you do. I have a 3500 watt continuous with 4000 watt peak pure sine inverter. Paid $800 for it. You dont necessarily need one that expensive. Mine is because I had an Xbox, printer and 4k TV pugged into it and need the clean voltage. Plus the Mircwave works better on it as well.

But for just a fridge and coffee maker,.. a cheaper $300 3000 watt inverter from Northern Tools will probably work just fine.

From there you buy the things you want and plug them in just like you would at home.

I have a cheap Black and Decker mini freeze fridge from Walmart for $179. Holds 8 sodas in the door rack. Has a veggi tray,.. freezer will hold 6 - 7 dinner plus half gallon of ice cream and 5 lbs of hamburger. Its a little larger than most hotel fridges. Works fine.

My truck has 4 batteries,.. and I can leave my fridge plugged in with the truck off and running lights on all night,.. and the batteries are just fine in the morning. I dont know if a truck with only 2 or 3 batteries will hold the same. I have a generator that I can use to charge my truck batteries with. so its not that detrimental for me to leave it on.

But yeah,.. adding a fridge when you dont have one,.. or replacing the small one that most truck have is a must do if you plan to stay out in the truck for any length of time. Eating out of truck stops can get expensive and the food is not that great.

Hurst

 

It's cheaper.
1.7 cu ft fridge- $70
Grade 8 hardware- $20
Metal brackets- free
700w Inverter- $75
Wire/ wiring accessories- free $20
That's $165+ 6%tax vs $600 at Raney's

I can install it myself with an assistant just to help me get it up there. I know how to make it so it won't fail unless there's a manufacturing defect.

 

I have to vote truckfridge.
Had mine longer than I can remember and it's fantastic.

 

Also a fan of truckfridge. Well worth the money

 

Because all the 12v fridges are small with all but useless freezers.

When your spending a lot of time out on the road,.. you can save a lot of money by being able to cook and make other meals,.. sandwiches etc in your truck vs eating out or buying truck stop prepared food. I mean,.. $5 for a small cup of fruit? $5 for 4 hard boiled eggs? You can eat so much healthier and cheaper just like at home with a fridge large enough to hold what you need.

This is my $179 fridge. Removed the lower cabinet behind the driver seat,.. the cabinet on passenger didnt lend itself to be as easily removed,.. not impossible,.. but this was easier and allowed room for the microwave.



Hurst

 

One of the reasons I'm anti mini fridge in a truck is due to safety. Alot of installs look sketchy at best. This is a fantastic example of how it should be done. If you're going this route, do this.*




*nevermind

 

It's being propped up by Nikes...