Portable Fridge Install Options

[dwaters]

G'day all, I am in the process of finding and installing a portable fridge in the back of my D3.

I am leaning towards the ARB fridges and I am thinking about mounting it on a slider.

My issue is, I spend a lot of time at the beach and I have placed one of those moulded rubber mats in the rear to collect all the sand.
The mats are great because you can remove them and hose them down to get rid of the sand.

If I put a fridge in, it is going to be a pain in the butt to remove the mat......

Has anyone come up against this issue before or can anyone offer some suggestions??
My car also has the rear seats installed which I would like to remain.

Photos would be great!

Cheers in advance!!

[Ashes]

The rubber mats aren't real expensive. How about buying a 2nd mat and cutting it to fit around the slide?

[Phoenix12]

Just install straight on top of the mat ? Cant see an issue with it, attachment holes drilled through the mat, and the brackets should fit high enough to clear the rubber. Unless you dont want to "alter" the rubber mat..... In which case its the option of buyinga second mat, as suggested.

I drilled / cut straight through my defender mat ! Function over style every time !

[AnD3rew]

How big a deal is having a mounted slider?

I don't want to put one in because I use my third row seats from time to time, I am just planning to throw the fridge in and use a bungy strap on the original tie down points to stop it sliding around. ( I will have a cargo barrier in when carrying the fridge)

What wrong with this plan?

[Ashes]

When we are touring I put my fridge on top of the rubber mat and have cut out the tie down points so I can anchor it. If I get a flat I have to take the fridge out to get access to the winder. A pain but would rarely occur. We might have sand it the back for a couple of weeks.
I cant see a way to maintain a full size mat and not have remove or lift the fridge to remove the mat.

[AnD3rew]

When we are touring I put my fridge on top of the rubber mat and have cut out the tie down points so I can anchor it. If I get a flat I have to take the fridge out to get access to the winder. A pain but would rarely occur. We might have sand it the back for a couple of weeks.
I cant see a way to maintain a full size mat and not have remove or lift the fridge to remove the mat.

Fortunately my Aux tank and rear wheel carrier will solve that problem.

[DoctorJ]

How big a deal is having a mounted slider?

I don't want to put one in because I use my third row seats from time to time, I am just planning to throw the fridge in and use a bungy strap on the original tie down points to stop it sliding around. ( I will have a cargo barrier in when carrying the fridge)

What wrong with this plan?

I do exactly the same as And3rew

Cheers
Julian

[Ashes]

How big a deal is having a mounted slider?

I don't want to put one in because I use my third row seats from time to time, I am just planning to throw the fridge in and use a bungy strap on the original tie down points to stop it sliding around. ( I will have a cargo barrier in when carrying the fridge)

What wrong with this plan?

Yep, I do exactly that.
Occy the fridge down for around the town type trips. Takes a couple of minutes to put in and out.

For holidays and camping though I made a box that I can strap down that has a couple of heavy duty drawer runners to allow the fridge to slide out. So much easier to get into the fridge when it slides over the tailgate. Having a box and runners means I can use more space in the back and the fridge is protected from luggage items.

[AGRO]

I remove the centre 2nd row seat and sit the engel 40l neatly between the seats. Secured by using M10 eyebolts in the centre seat hold down bolt screw threads. Approx. 25kgs of seat removed is similar to a filled fridge.

I have the Fridge opening to the front - easy access from the front seats or via the side doors.

I can still have two adults in the 2nd and 3rd rows and as well as a fridge that doubles as an arm rest - perfect height!!!

I have a Longrange tank and rear wheel swing arm so access to the spare winder is not necessary.

You could always leave the fridge in the car and have all the room in the back and clean the sand out any time.

You can also utilise a safety cargo barrier in this configuration as well.

All up to whether or not you want/need to seat 7 or 6 adults.