I'm looking to get a fridge(compressor style, waeco, engel etc) for our camping setup which more often than not will be long weekend outings and possibly a week here or there...no 6 week base camps. Also used in the car for picnics and frozen groceries. The Mrs has discovered Costco and it is 45 mins from home.

Last time camping I used a 45 litre esky for the 3 kids and me for 4 days which seemed to hold enough and considering it had ice in it as well seemed big enough. Chocky got wet though

What size fridge do you think would keep a family of 5 happy with bearing in mind it has to go in the back of the D3 with all the camping gear as well?

Waeco Engel Evercool Bushman etc are all very good products. The Bushman comes with a collar and additional lid (deep set) which enables you to vary the volume from about 35L up to 52L depending on which configuration you want...excellent value and v.competitively priced with usual suspects.
It also draws down quite quickly to -22degC.... even on very hot days (35 degC)

I think you've answered your own question. 45L esky works well with ice so a 40 - 45L Engel will hold everything too.

Our 40L Engel does the two of us for anything up to a week or more of food.

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I bought a 47L ARB. Same as you, we'd survived with a 45L Coleman esky for the last 20yrs (2 adults & 3 kids) ... with block ice.

Looked at the Waeco 50L, but it side opens, and in the back of a loaded D2, the ARB is more convenient as it opens end on (the whole lid can unclip with a yank).

Here's a pic' of the ARB in the back It's a 7 seater with rear a/c so the lhs seat sticks into the load space a bit more. The fridge is reasonably narrow, but for camping trips I'll be taking that rear lhs seat out.



Kev..

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Size does matter I just brought a 60 litre Evakool Travelmate Fridge/Freezer new. It came with a insulated cover, plus a 12v, 24, 240 inverter. All for the sum of $699 and only $35 to ship it to me.

It might be an idea to check out the Evakool website they have some good specials on right now. I considered at that price it was a good buy.

cheers,
Terry

Yes Size does matter
I have a 60L waeco and its a great size. I bought the 60L because I wanted to keep everything in the fridge, drinks included. On its first trip to Fraser last year, it was chockers with food for 4 people, we only used the eskies for beer because we took a lot of beer and wanted to keep it all in one place I can't be any happier with the 60L, on trips with just two people it holds all our food and drinks.

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60 lts will be my pick.
I have a Waeco 50lts for the last 5 years or so and for some years I used it 24hrs 7 days a week.
WQe have heaps of problems with the temperature working as a freezer all the time It can not be adjusted!!
Under warraty the circuit board was replaced 3 times and at the end a system like the Evakool was fitted.
Cheers

We have a Waco CF 35 fridge freezer which is more than ok for a long weekend for 2 of us but it is not big enough for longer period, I usually have to take a small esky for our drinks when ever we go away for a week or more. ( Usually cause the girlfriend takes too much food).

Another thing to consider is battery life while using the fridge,
How long will a fridge of a size that you require run for on the battery/battery's you have available.

Depending on what you buy you may need to upgrade your 12v power supply.

Waco have a page on their website that gives an idea of how much current each of their fridges use I would be sure Engle would have simular.

Andrew

My wife and I have 3 kids and we use a 60L fridge. Plenty of room for a weekend so you could go to say 50L, but would not go below that.

40 litres is the best size for me and my wifr becuase I got it cheap !

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