50(ish)L Fridge - what to buy?

[topic97 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close topic97]

Ok, so the more I look the more confused I get on bloody car fridges.
Going to buy one in the next few weeks so I can finally start on my custom rear drawer build - which basically centres around what size fridge & slide I buy.

But at the moment I cant decide on what way to go with them, you seem to get so many conflicting stories from so many people.

I want to get a 50l because I think that's a decent size for what I want it for - not too big but not too small & im going to keep the fridge in the car at all times so weight plays a part.

So, I have narrowed it down to:
Evakool 55L Metal Glacier - looks good, good price but a bit heavy at over 32kg
Engel 60L - looks good but bloody pricey
Waeco CFX 50 - Looks good & can get it at at least $600 cheaper than the engel with all the covers etc.

I havent even looked at the arb ones, are they any good?

I am really tossing up between the engel & new waeco, some people love the waeco but others say the engel is far better - but are they $600+ better?

Thoughts?

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

I have a National Luna 52L weekender. Also have a 60L ARB. When the NL dies I will replace it with an ARB 47L unit.

[Chewbacca Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chewbacca]

I have the Engel 40L. Yes they are expensive (got mine on a good deal though with a free transit bag), however it's hard to argue with the build quality. They are very tough and very little to go wrong with the compressor. They also have a lower voltage draw so you can stay put for longer without help from solar.
My Dad had the Waeco and had a warranty claim after only 6 months. He might have been unlucky however you definitely hear of a lot more problems with the Waeco.

[boomer52 2014 Track Topaz owner! Find all posts View Profile Close boomer52]

I have a National Luna 52L weekender. Also have a 60L ARB. When the NL dies I will replace it with an ARB 47L unit.

I have an ARB 47 litre and a 60 litre Everkool. When the Everkool is past its use buy I'll get an ARB 60 litre !

[macaroon1 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close macaroon1]

This thread may help deciding??:http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...r-Engel-Fridge

Pics here? http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...l=1#post518024 Very Happy.

[AussieAndy Find all posts View Profile Close AussieAndy]

I have a 40L engel, and I don't even think about what to replace it with because I doubt it will die in the near future. Both sides of my family have engel fridges, the oldest from what we can work out belongs to the wifes uncle from the late 70's. Dad bought a camper with a waeco, after the first trip where it froze the salad and the frozen veggies were barely frozen he replaced it with an engel. My vote is engel

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

I have a 40 ltr engel. Brilliant fridge in every way.

My ultimate setup depending on what I am doing is 2 40 ltr fridges... one as a fridge the other as a freezer. A lot of the times I don't need both fridges (e.g. a weekend away with the boys) but a weeks camping with the family and the extra fridge and the functionality it brings would be of great benefit.

[topic97 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close topic97]

So for those who have a 40l engel, how do you find them size wise?
I'm looking at something to be able to go away on a few day trip by myself, or something for an overnighter with the family.

[topic97 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close topic97]

Oh and those that have the 47l ARB, can I ask how much they stung you?

[Chewbacca Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chewbacca]

So for those who have a 40l engel, how do you find them size wise?
I'm looking at something to be able to go away on a few day trip by myself, or something for an overnighter with the family.

Plenty of space for a week by yourself and a couple of nights for family trips (wife and 2 kids).

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

Oh and those that have the 47l ARB, can I ask how much they stung you?

I have a 47l ARB and it is fabulous, I think it cost $1250 and they threw in a free cover and towel. ARB have promotions all the time particularly just before Christmas.

[Spilsy Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Spilsy]

My 2 cents:
I know many people with many different fridges.

• 2 guys I know have the ARB 47L, and they swear by them. They cant fault them. (I think they are the best looking fridges)
• Another mate of mine has a late model 40ish litre Engel and reckons its the ducks nuts - they are expensive but are built to last, so...
• My girlfriends brother carries around an Engel built when Noah played at full back...its still going well.
• A work colleague has a huge Ironman one (a dual sided thing), and he hasn't had an issue with it - it does take up the whole of the cargo are in his FJ Cruiser though.
• Me, I have an Evakool Glacier. I've only had it 6 months but haven't had an issue yet - well except the chain that stops the lid from opening too far disconnected itself, but I fixed it.

This doesnt help I guess, but it does show you that all the options seem to be good options...just ask their owners...

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

I bought a ARB 47 from Pride here in Canberra as part of a major fit out of my Prado in October 2013. It has run faultlessly since and I got it for $1035 with freezer bag. They gave me a good discount from the $1199 RRP.

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

I ended up with an ARB 47lt plus i also bought a Waeco 35lt as for a family of 4 for a week or more camping we found the 47lt just wasnt big enough. 60lt would of been perfect for us. The ARB stays in the car and gets used every time the wife or my self goes shopping. (good to keep things cool, plus we pay enough for these fridges, might as well get the most out of them.) If all you want out of a fridge is a weekend away then any thing around the 35-40lt mark would be big enough.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

I have the ARB 47 litre and a 39 litre Autofridge, both are quality units but I much prefer the ARB. Can't recall what I paid as it was years ago.

If the ARB wasn't an option I would go the Engel. The older Engels suffered from not being able to set a constant temp, but I gather the newer models have a set and forget temp like the ARB.

I have known quite a few people who have issues with Waeco's, but never met anyone who had an issue with an Engel.

Cheers Andrew