small (in height) fridges?

[sixstringsteve]

I hear a nice fridge makes all the difference. Only problem is, in my rig, I need a fridge that's 12" or shorter to fit under my sleeping platform. Does anyone know of any fridges that aren't taller than 12"?

I could fit a taller one in, but I'd have to remove it every night to sleep in the back of my truck, and that doesn't seem practical.

 

[Caleb]

I hear a nice fridge makes all the difference. Only problem is, in my rig, I need a fridge that's 12" or shorter to fit under my sleeping platform. Does anyone know of any fridges that aren't taller than 12"?

I could fit a taller one in, but I'd have to remove it every night to sleep in the back of my truck, and that doesn't seem practical.

I could be wrong but I doubt you'll find anything that small. The best you may do is an electric cooler.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I'll look into that. I've never heard of an electric cooler. I'll have to do some research to see how they differ from a fridge.

 

[JL Rockies]

The current draw is constant... even my product cannot help you there.... and the temp inside is impacted by the temp outside.

 

[Caleb]

The current draw is constant... even my product cannot help you there.... and the temp inside is impacted by the temp outside.

Yep, what he said. Generally speaking, they will keep cold food cold and warm food warm. (They usually have a "heat" mode as well) Again, 12" is pretty small, not sure if you will find anything that short.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Thanks guys. Sounds like I just need to pack more dry ice in my cooler.

 

[kmboren]

I know it would cut into your sleeping platform but couldn't you modify it to put one in the corner your truck say by the tail gate. and just cut into your feet room a little.

 

[sixstringsteve]

since both my wife and I sleep in the back, it's not an option to cut into the sleeping platform. I wish it were. I'll get by without a fridge, I was just hoping there was a smaller, flatter solution.

 

[mesha]

The 12 volt coolers work on the Peltier principle and can only heat or cool anything by about 40-45 degrees. They use two different semiconductors and there is a temperature drop or rise were they bond depending on the direction of the current. That is why they can heat or cool. The principle works, but is not efficient.

If you want to go with dry ice I can help you out. I just bought a dry ice maker

 

[Rusted]

Many boats, like the flat floored bass boats have coolers that sit flush inside them. I have never seen an electric one to be a real fridge, but you may look down that path.

 

[sixstringsteve]

If you want to go with dry ice I can help you out. I just bought a dry ice maker

You're every science geek's best friend. I gotta see this machine.

Many boats, like the flat floored bass boats have coolers that sit flush inside them. I have never seen an electric one to be a real fridge, but you may look down that path.

Good to know. Thanks for the info, I'll check 'em out.

 

[scoutabout]

Steve, I think it's obvious you need to start a custom mobile fridge development project. Please start some threads on RME so we can watch the progress.

 

[Spork]

Couple guys at work have a fridge that's about 12" tall but they only are big enough for a 6 pack (maybe).

 

[sixstringsteve]

Thanks guys. I think I'll go with a decent cooler like a Yeti or a Yukon.

 

[JL Rockies]

The 12 volt coolers work on the Peltier principle and can only heat or cool anything by about 40-45 degrees. They use two different semiconductors and there is a temperature drop or rise were they bond depending on the direction of the current. That is why they can heat or cool. The principle works, but is not efficient.

If you want to go with dry ice I can help you out. I just bought a dry ice maker

Science guy FTW!

 

[Greg]

Many boats, like the flat floored bass boats have coolers that sit flush inside them. I have never seen an electric one to be a real fridge, but you may look down that path.

That's actually a brilliant idea Keith!

Steve... check this out... recessed storage - http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/167864-more-cargo-room.html

Where is your spare going to end up? I don't know if a 35" tire will fit in the stock location, but if not you could put the spare on a swing-out tire carrier and free up the spot where the factory spare was.

My Edgestar measures under 21" tall, if you have 12" of space to work with, then your recess would only need to be 9" deep. That's not a whole lot, to the point that it would detract from departure angle. Of course you would have to beef up the 'storage' compartment to hold up to a heavy, loaded freezer-fridge and build a heavy-duty skidplate for it. The job would require quite a bit of fab work and engineering, but I bet you're capable.

You could build a hinge on your sleeping platform to access the fridge down below and fit a full size fridge in the very back, sitting nice and low. The fridge needs to have some ventilation of course and proper tie downs, easy enough though.

 

[airmanwilliams]

do it do it do it do it do it.