ARB or Engel Fridge?

[sjcprado120 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close sjcprado120]

Daran K,

I've got an Engel 40ltr that I bought back in 1999 and has been running for probably 10 of those years, when its not in the back of the Prado getting a workout its being used as a bar fridge or sometimes as a freezer. reliability second to none and wouldn't hesitate to buy another one.

Steve

[Smithy - 120 D4D Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Smithy - 120 D4D]

Use a 40L Engel and it has served us well, especially when we did our recent 3 week trip to do the Simpson, but I am looking to get another and will most likely go with a 60L ARB as I like some of their features more. In the size range you are looking at (Engel 40L vs ARB 47L) you would be surprised how handy the ARB's extra 7L would be. The reason we are looking at a 60L is we found the Engel's 40L was just not big enough for our food and esential refreshments.

You didn't actually mention the ownership technicality re the Engel either...

[Palmer Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Palmer]

You didn't actually mention the ownership technicality re the Engel either...

What's the old saying, Possession is nine tenths...

[Darran K Member Find all posts View Profile Close Darran K]

Wow, thanks heaps guys.. Yeah i think it will be the ARB, just because its bigger, lighter, plastic over metal, the drain hole, set and forget, the handles, cheaper..

Hard to go past the Engle reliability tho. ARB fridges are pretty new, time will tell..

[rags Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close rags]

I can add that I have had 3 engels and now have an ARB 47Ltr, The first Engel i bought in 1984 2nd hand ,i have still got and although it rattles ,and uses a few more amps of power ,now is in retirement with its duties now are beer fridge in the shed. The 2nd Engel had a short life after being squashed after ejecting from the car in a vehicle rollover. Replaced it with another in 2000 and that worked ok untill it died 18mths ago requiring a compressor replacement. So after considering the Engel range that has not much changed in many years other than some modern electronic bits added,and what ARB was offering with features as mentioned in other posts and a price that was better than any Engel show specials I became the owner of a 47Ltr ARB fridge. I have been impressed with the ARB fridge and features like the recess space above motor,lid hinge, etc. I would give my vote to the ARB fridge now, but the Engel is still a good product except ,needs a upgrade .I was at the Penrith camping show today and ARB had the 47ltr for [from memory] $1040. I think I got mine for $900 18mths ago at an ARB open day.
What ever you buy you can't go wrong and will wonder why you didn't get one sooner.

[Heath74 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Heath74]

I have a 27l engel that would be 30 yr old, I'm the third owner. Big bubbles no troubles! I don't think they can be beat for reliability, the Toyota of the fridge world! About three yrs ago I bought a 50l waeco, the waeco range has more flexibility in volume and footprint, you can go right up to 60 l with the small footprint. The thermostat is good, as is the electronic setting. The latch on the waeco lid is craptacular and SWMBO broke it slamming the lid first outing.

If I were buying a 40 -50 l fridge today, it would be the ARB.
I think my engel will still be chugging, after my waeco is long gone, even with a 30yr head start.

[St3veC Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close St3veC]

Anyone know what price arb is doing for the 47l fridge, cover and tie downs at the Penrith show??

[rags Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close rags]

Anyone know what price arb is doing for the 47l fridge, cover and tie downs at the Penrith show??

From memory as I was not really looking but I think it was $1040 but not sure if you got the bag and tie downs for that price.

[OldGreyFart Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close OldGreyFart]

From memory as I was not really looking but I think it was $1040 but not sure if you got the bag and tie downs for that price.

I have just ordered through my local 4x4 shop - total = $1347.15.

[SandRunner Member Find all posts View Profile Close SandRunner]

Had a Waeco......... Had. It died a horrible death after its second use. Bought the 40L Engel and it has been absolutely fantastic.

[Palmer Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Palmer]

At the Tassie show i think the 47L was $995. I didn't take too much notice of the extras offered with it, as was looking at the 60 & 78L versions, but they were offering to throw in the cover for these - no mention of the tie downs.
Might give you a bit of bargaining power, knowing they have been offered at this price.

[Smithy - 120 D4D Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Smithy - 120 D4D]

At the Tassie show i think the 47L was $995. I didn't take too much notice of the extras offered with it, as was looking at the 60 & 78L versions, but they were offering to throw in the cover for these - no mention of the tie downs.
Might give you a bit of bargaining power, knowing they have been offered at this price.

That's a bloody good price. I thought I got a good deal at $1200 back when I bought mine.

[Palmer Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Palmer]

The guy kept repeating that the prices were for the show only. I was tempted, but can't get everything (well not yet anyway) and I'm rweally keen on the 60.

[Smithy - 120 D4D Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Smithy - 120 D4D]

I have the ARB price list, so i can compare the supposed special prices that are on offer at shows and during sales. I'll send it to you if you want it...

[letsgoplaces Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close letsgoplaces]

I have the ARB price list, so i can compare the supposed special prices that are on offer at shows and during sales. I'll send it to you if you want it...

Hey there i would be interested is seeing it too.
Is it possible to post it or would that break a rule?

Cheers,
John