Refrigerators with top doors

Discussion in 'Trucking Electronics, Gadgets and Software Forum' started by CaptainX3, Sep 29, 2013.

  1. CaptainX3

    CaptainX3 Road Train Member

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    Nov 10, 2011
    Fort Worth, TX
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    Hey guys,

    Does anyone know if there is an actual real refrigerator (not thermoelectric cooler) that has the door on top instead of opening from the front? I know that you're not supposed to have the regular old dorm fridges laying on their backs.

    What I'm trying to do is find a small fridge to put up front between the seats, so I can open the lid and grab a cold drink without having to pull off the highway. (Theres no shifter to get in my way, my truck is automatic).

    Right now I have one of the cheap thermoelectric coolers but it would be nice to be able to keep some types of cold food in an actual refrigerator. I don't want to put it in the passenger seat because reaching that far over while driving is too dangerous. I drink bottles of Brisk tea and I like to be able to just grab another one when the one I'm drinking runs out.

    What I'm looking for might not exist, but I figured if it did, you guys here would know about it. Any suggestions or ideas? The little cooler I have now just BARELY keeps my drinks cool, but it would be nice to carry some actual food on the road too.
     
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  3. bstromback2002

    bstromback2002 Light Load Member

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    Yes there is but the ones I have found in the past start at $400 and up if i remember correct.
    Get a couple of those reusable jelly filled ice packs freeze them before you leave the house and throw them in the cooler and they will help it stay colder.
     
  4. STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    Longview, TX
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    Well a thermo-electric is what I use. Small, occupies little space between the seats right next to the passenger seat. Lid lifts up, cost a whole $49 at Walmart. If you could find a top lid condenser cooler, it would be large and difficult to navigate around.
     
  5. The Kraut

    The Kraut Medium Load Member

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    Land of Enchantment
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    Check this site:
    http://www.dometic.com/enus/Americas/USA/Truck/Refrigerators-Freezers/Products/?productdataid=92534

    Dometic/Waeco

    I have a Waeco 12V-24V imported from Germany, the bigger size top lid model that wouldn't fit between the seats. These models are compression and use less power than a thermoelectric. It's a very good cooler even in very hot temperatures it keeps your stuff cool.
    But, pretty expensive...
    In my opinion the best refrigerator you can get. Had another model in my former Peterbilt (no top lid) and it worked perfect.

    Tom
     
  6. dieselfuelonly

    dieselfuelonly Road Train Member

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    Chapel Hill, NC
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    I have the Dometic CoolFreeze CF-25. It has an actual compressor inside and is silent. You will almost never hear it. I can leave my truck sitting for 5 days while on my hometime in the middle of a NC summer and it would still be at 33*F when I left out, never set off the low-voltage disconnect. This model isn't huge inside, but its plenty for me. I can fill it with an entire pack of bottled water that you can pick up at a Pilot/Flying J. They are designed to be able to run off of solar power and a deep cycle battery and are commonly used for camping, etc., the power draw is minimal and they are extremely efficient... great for those of us with company trucks that can't idle when its at a certain temperature and don't have APUs to keep our batteries charged. If I want I set it to cool as low as -18* and use it as a freezer. It has a little display on the front that you can use to set the desired temperature, and after setting it it shows the actual temperature that the unit is currently at.

    They aren't cheap, but worth every penny and will last forever. I got mine from here, it was the cheapest I could find and this place shipped it out very fast - http://www.adventurerv.net/dometic-coolfreeze-portable-refrigerator-freezer-cf25-cf025dc-p-1227.html

    If you go with the larger CF-35 model, it can be powered off of 110V AC, so you could take it inside with you when on your home time if you didn't want to leave it running in the truck.

    [​IMG]
     
    DoneYourWay Thanks this.
  7. CaptainX3

    CaptainX3 Road Train Member

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    Fort Worth, TX
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    This is perfect, exactly the kind of thing I'm looking for.

    I know I'm gonna be spending several hundred dollars on one, but I think in the long run it's worth it. I've already had 3 thermoelectric coolers and spent over $200 total on them. I'd rather pay a bigger price and get something that'll last and be dependable.
     
    RightCoast Thanks this.
  8. Reverend Falstaff

    Reverend Falstaff Light Load Member

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    I bought an Engel 12vFridge/Freezer....it's either one or the other not both at the same time. For the size I bought (about a 40 quart cooler) it cost me about $650. That was 10 years ago & it still runs like a champ. Also only draws 2 amps so there's not much worry about battery drain. It WILL work quite well as a freezer too.
     
  9. Bright Lights

    Bright Lights Bobtail Member

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    Norcold makes great portable refrigerator/freezer. Our large animal veterinarians use these to keep medicines refrigerated and they are used in marine applications also. I've been using one for 2 years and run it off the 12v receptacle in the truck. You have to watch that you don't bump the dial or your stuff will be frozen so I taped over the dial to keep it in place. They have several sizes.
    http://www.thetford.com/HOME/PRODUCTS/NorcoldIncRefrigerators/tabid/195/Default.aspx
     
  10. Eninety2

    Eninety2 Medium Load Member

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    Nov 24, 2012
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    Which is the one you have pictured? The CF 25 or the CF 35?
     
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