Reliable fridge advise please

[Stumpy1]

G'day,

I'm seeking comments from anyone with an ironman fridge (only those who use one week in week out please)

As a truckie, I have used Engel fridges for nearly 20 years. they have always been supplied by the company. There is no doubt in my mind that they are reliable, excellent in high ambient temps etc, however I am now in a position where I need to supply my own fridge and would like to avoid paying a premium price for a similar quality fridge.

For a saving of around $200-300 on a comparable Engel fridge, I could buy an Ironman fridge.

Has anyone used these fridges day in day out in hot weather and can you please provide your thoughts?

Thanks in advance..

Stumpy

[bussy1963]

There is a saying that most people forget. " Am I that poor to buy cheap". that basically means if you buy cheap you get cheap. Engel has the score on the board value for money and reliable. I would spend a few hundredextra and get a proven brand.

[Stumpy1]

Thanks for the reply,

Yeah I appreciate what you are saying. I too genrally live by that motto. I buy the best I can afford and by doing this have never (rarely) needed to replace anything I own for that reason.

What I am actually asking is for comments relating to the quality and reliability of the ironman fridge.

Remember, In the 50's you were a fool to buy Japanese electronics! If it aint yank then its poo was the general mind set. How wrong this turned out to be.

Again, I am not ruling out buying buying an Engel, mearly researching the idea of maximising bang for buck.

New brands are continually showing up in aftermarket automotive accessories and some, are really raising the bar technology wise. Take the Avenger winch in the last 4x4 Action winch comparo, It placed first overall and really shook up some big brands in nearly all tests! All this for around 20% cheaper than the "accepted" benchmark brands.


Thanks for the comment though as I generally do shop with the mindset that you offered. I will always buy the best that I can afford but will not hesitate to buy a potentially equal or superior product for less.

Anyone with an Ironman experience?

Stumpy

[Yorkshire_Jon]

Stumpy,

Engel arent e most expensive... Think National Luna for that. Having said that though after many years of using all sorts of fridges and supplying many brands to UK customers I wouldnt hesitate to reccomend Engel.

I know youve used them for years so know all about them.

But seriously, if your only talking a couple of hundred dollars saving on a $1200 - $1300 Engel, stop wasting your time deliberating over it. Buy an Engel and go easy on the cool ones for a month or so. Thats saved your extra cash outlay and youve got a MUCH better fridge.

Just my thoughts from many years of using and selling many brands.

Oh yeah,having had the pick of just about everything over the years, what do I use... Engel

Jon

[rangieman]

Stumpy,

Engel arent e most expensive... Think National Luna for that. Having said that though after many years of using all sorts of fridges and supplying many brands to UK customers I wouldnt hesitate to reccomend Engel.

I know youve used them for years so know all about them.

But seriously, if your only talking a couple of hundred dollars saving on a $1200 - $1300 Engel, stop wasting your time deliberating over it. Buy an Engel and go easy on the cool ones for a month or so. Thats saved your extra cash outlay and youve got a MUCH better fridge.

Just my thoughts from many years of using and selling many brands.

Oh yeah,having had the pick of just about everything over the years, what do I use... Engel

Jon

X2

[scarry]

Stumpy,

Engel arent e most expensive... Think National Luna for that. Having said that though after many years of using all sorts of fridges and supplying many brands to UK customers I wouldnt hesitate to reccomend Engel.

I know youve used them for years so know all about them.

But seriously, if your only talking a couple of hundred dollars saving on a $1200 - $1300 Engel, stop wasting your time deliberating over it. Buy an Engel and go easy on the cool ones for a month or so. Thats saved your extra cash outlay and youve got a MUCH better fridge.

Just my thoughts from many years of using and selling many brands.

Oh yeah,having had the pick of just about everything over the years, what do I use... Engel

Jon

X3

My Engle has almost clocked up 30yrs,wife just gave it a birthday,a respray.All the beach trips were causing it to get lots of surface rust.
If it stopped,i would go & get one the same again.

Sorry, can't help with any other brands....
.......

[Stumpy1]

Bussy, yorkshire, rangie.... Thanks guys. all fair comments.

Scarry, You wouldn't beleive (well you would actually) how many similar storeys about the 25-30+ service life from these Engels I have heard of or in fact seen the proof of.

I have absolutley no argument with this. It makes me smile when a $300,000+ truck rolls off the showroom floor only for the lucky new owner to throw his heavily beat up scratched and all together questionable looking Engel behind the drivers seat.

I know I know, I'm mad not to pay a few more dollars on a well proven recipie but easy up on the "going without a few cold ones for a while" idea. lol..

Thanks guys, I know, respect and acknowledge the Engel is huge on quality and reliability (from 20 years with one) and I will probably still fork out for one...

but................

My question is still unanswered..... Does anyone have any personal experience with an Ironman Fridge????????

Please no more Engel or Waeco comments as I already know they are perfectly capable..

Thanks

Stumpy

[Barney2803]

This is typical! Engel vs Waeco like there's simply no other brand which is cow-dung! Ok the answer to your question? I DO HAVE AN IRONMAN!!! I went through all the same dilemmas as you Waeco vs engel and this person says they'd never buy Waeco and this person says they'd never buy engel and all the poop you could ever imagine. When I bought my ironman it was a good $400 cheaper than engel or Waeco and that was with a insulated bag. I paid $860 shipped to my door from the gold coast with bag as well. It's a 60L and is absolutely freaking wonderful! Sometimes I have to turn it to 2 degrees as zero or 1 is too cold and freezes everything. By buying it for that price I was able to do the full high quality dual battery setup from traxide too so I have a full dual battery system and fridge for the same price as others are spending on just the fridge! It is great and i certainly recommend ironman. I also went with them cos their warranty was better than engel and Waeco and that was the clincher for me too. I researched for months and ended up with this one. My best price was with coloundra4x4 through eBay.

There you go, finally an answer!

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

[Stumpy1]

This is typical! Engel vs Waeco like there's simply no other brand which is cow-dung! Ok the answer to your question? I DO HAVE AN IRONMAN!!! I went through all the same dilemmas as you Waeco vs engel and this person says they'd never buy Waeco and this person says they'd never buy engel and all the poop you could ever imagine. When I bought my ironman it was a good $400 cheaper than engel or Waeco and that was with a insulated bag. I paid $860 shipped to my door from the gold coast with bag as well. It's a 60L and is absolutely freaking wonderful! Sometimes I have to turn it to 2 degrees as zero or 1 is too cold and freezes everything. By buying it for that price I was able to do the full high quality dual battery setup from traxide too so I have a full dual battery system and fridge for the same price as others are spending on just the fridge! It is great and i certainly recommend ironman. I also went with them cos their warranty was better than engel and Waeco and that was the clincher for me too. I researched for months and ended up with this one. My best price was with coloundra4x4 through eBay.

There you go, finally an answer!

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

Good on ya Barney!
Thanks for your thoughts and buying info.

Any other ironman owners willing to share their thoughts?.... good or bad please

Cheers muchly

Stumpy

[350RRC]

Hi,

I watched all the Engel vs Waeco debates before making the big jump to a ......................













Primus 40l.

Been faultless so far, quieter than an Engel, tech support you're talking to an Aussie who knows the specs, best bit is the remote readout that plugs into ciggy lighter giving internal temp and battery voltage.

The 60l version is only marginally bigger externally than the 40. I'd buy the 55l fridge / freezer now. Was not available when I bought mine.

cheers, DL