NEED HELP! Tips for packing 12V 4.6 cu ft fridge in T@B 400

LorraineM

Hi all - We upgraded last summer to a 2022 T@B 400 with a 4.6 cu ft. 12V fridge. We love the extra space the fridge has over our 320. There are only tow of us so I am struggling to pack the fridge in a way so that things do not slide around or the shelves don't bend from the weight. Any suggestions? Pictures would be great too!

RTWCTS

@LorraineM try using some plastic bins to hold all the little things (Dollar store or look near the Ziplock bags at the store are where we've found cheap ones). If you're packing for a road trip, remember that grocery stores are everywhere. No need to load the shelves to the breaking point.
Enjoy your trip!

LorraineM

@RTWCTS Thanks for the tips. I have used some plastic bins but I think I likley need ones that are less heavy. In our 320 we usually had the thing totally full so nothing moved around but this fridge is so much larger :-) Thanks again! 

RTWCTS

@LorraineM We are in the same boat, adjusting to all the space after life with a 320. Looking at our ‘freshly loaded’ fridge I realized my spouse didn’t use all the shelves so that things were packed tight and wouldn’t shift as we bounce down the trail. After we arrive the plan is to sort things out to be useable in camp (didn’t know it was that well thought out- hahaha)

LorraineM

@RTWCTS Yes! I totally understand. We don't use all the shelves either and I find myself using the door and the drawer the most because things seem pretty secure in those places. We then adjust once we are there. Our big trips are often to places where there isn't a super close grocery store but we can always stock up on the way :-)

Homebodyatheart

Another fan of bins here, too! I still have my 2017 320S and love my bin method. I fill each ahead of time and on travel day I move them from the house fridge to Bug. Come home and reverse the process. I also find bins useful when something leaks. Cleaning out a bin is easier than cleaning the entire fridge. 

LorraineM

@Homebodyatheart Thanks. Do you have a suggested brand of bins? I have been trying bins but they still seem to be moving around and/or are too heavy.

Homebodyatheart

No, I have an assortment of four odds and ends  that I had in the kitchen. Do measure the depth and height of your shelf space as for me, many totes are too long and the door won’t shut. As for moving around you could place towels around and underneath to keep them from slipping, or slide in empty totes for filler. I don’t have any slipping issues. You’ll get it figured out! 

dsfdogs

I use the same two clear plastic, straight sided containers I used in the 320, maybe MDesign? Or from the Container Store. I put museum/earthquake putty at the corner edge of the shelves, squished around them against the side of the fridge to help keep the shelves from sliding. I also use refrigerator tension rods to hold all the stuff on each shelf while in transit. I love this bigger fridge and having a freezer!

Mickerly

You should be able to use the light nylon and wire baskets for closet storage at Target or the Container Store, the latter being more expensive. I think IKEA has light weight fabric containers too.

Don't think refrigerator. Think small and light closet or desk storage.

LorraineM

@dsfdogs Thanks so much for the ideas. We also love the extra space and the freezer. We are headed out for a short weekend trip so the fridge is not overly packed. We'll see how it goes. I'll definitely look into using some of your ideas!

LorraineM

@Mickerly I will totally look for some cloawt or desk storage items like you suggest. Thanks for the ideas!

krsmes

"No matter how full the fridge is there's always room for one more thing":
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Ca8jAMHj60X/?igshid=Y2IzZGU1MTFhOQ==

I don't know how my wife does it but it is magic -- we did add the egg carton/holder hack/mod to the door seen in the video which freed up a lot of space.

Mickerly

We have the Norcold 12v refrigerator in our 320CS. It came with one door shelf. You can buy more. We remove the shelf from the refrigerator body and use more shelves in the door. It allows us to fit more stuff in the space.