How’s your 2-way fridge holding up in the heat?

RMo · June 2

I’ve been a fan of 3-way fridges and their ability to run “forever,” and we’ve managed ok in the heat by keeping the driver’s side fridge vents in the shade when parked or camping. On our current trip, however, we had major failure: driving west through Tennessee and Arkansas with temps in the high 80s and the sun beating down, the internal fridge temp rose to 50. Now we are using the fridge for vegetables and a cooler for more perishable items. Not ideal, so we’re considering the value and benefits of a 2-way fridge.

My question goes out to those who’ve been in extreme conditions with their 2-way fridges, particularly those with a driver’s side fridge in their 400. Being as specific as possible with info on temperature, sun position and other variables you’ve found to be relevant, when has your fridge reached its “breaking point” and not been able to maintain a 41 degree temp? Thanks in advance for any info.

manyman297 · June 3

I’ll chime in but we have the smaller Isotherm fridge on the passenger side. It does well until the temps outside get into the 90s. Then it starts to struggle. I have a thread somewhere on here about our struggles.

It will run constantly at those temps unless you are running AC inside…but for us that’s usually not an issue since we’d be running AC anyway if it’s in the 90s outside.

The problem is if you are going to be away from your camper. We boondock so we can’t let the AC run. It will probably be ok for a few hours but I wouldn’t leave the camper for more than maybe 4 hours.

This could just be a problem with our fridge but others have had similar issues. Without doing some major ventilation work we’ve just decided to roll with the punches.

RMo · June 3

Thanks for that @manyman297, I’d read the other thread and it had surprised me that the 2-ways struggled at all - I’d seen them as the magic bullet. Given the expense of the change I’m hoping to collect more insights like yours. Thanks.

We spoke with a couple in an Alto Safari who were driving in the same conditions as us and they said they had no issues with their 2-way?!

bergger · June 3

We have the norcold 3 way in our 400 and love it. Works great and the few times we’ve been in the 100 degree temps we’ve not had any issues. But we’ve always been in dry heat so maybe that helps. That said we also carry an IceCo compressor fridge in our tow vehicle and it does amazing. At camp we keep the truck windows down or partially down to keep the cabin temps lower but even when they are up and it’s hot in the truck the fridge does great. I think the problem with installing a compressor fridge in a trailer is that since they don’t use propane and don’t produce as much heat manufactures don’t vent them. However they should vent them for heat dissipation and if they installed a fan it would be even better.

I don’t know what trailer you have but I assume you have a vent and possibly a cooling fan since you have a 3 way fridge. If you replaced it with a compressor fridge I bet it would run very well in that space. Just make sure you have the battery capacity to run it.

Or do what we did. Get an IceCo and a battery station like a Jackery to power it and keep your 3 way fridge. We usually keep drinks in the compressor and food in the 3 way but if it’s super hot we can always put food and dairy in the compressor fridge.

manyman297 · June 3

Nucamp was mindful of venting for the Isotherm 65 but I don't think it's enough in our case. If you do install a 2-way try and get a copy of the installation beforehand to see how the manufacturer recommends venting. The vents for the 3-way will be great to have though. Nothing beats venting to the outside...just try and do what you can to direct that heat outside.

BrianR · June 5

I installed a 2-way Dometic last year in my 320. In the warmest weather it worked pretty hard and I definitely didn't have enough venting. I have improved air flow now and expect it to be better this year. The other thing to keep an eye on are your door seals. Mine fridge is a used unit and I flipped the door seal and adjusted the hinges to improve things.

K_C_915 · June 8

I have mixed feelings on the 12V in our 2021 320 BD. In the Arizona winters, it does great keeping things cool, but the 3 amp draw when it runs does get me nervous while boondocking. (100 AH AGM and Solar). In the summer, it will run 24/7 if the cabin temperature is in the 80's or more. There is no venting behind the fridge to keep it cool. It only stops running after a day or two in cooler weather. Because of this, I don't even use it on summer boondocking trips, even in the mountains. I go back to an ice chest and non-perishable camp foods.
From my limited experience, a 3 way would run just as much due to its less efficient nature, but will not have the current draw.
Hope this helps.

bergger · June 8

Again I have no experience with the compressor fridges used in the T@bs but do have a portable one we use all the time. With just the fridge running off our Jackery 1000 it does great. It can run for several days depending on the heat. I'll also hook up a solar panel to it every few days to charge it back up. If I had a compressor fridge in our T@b I would not feel comfortable in hot temps with just a single lithium battery powering the fridge and everything else in the trailer. I'd certainly add a second battery.

kevmon · June 9

I have a 320 (Cruise 65). I spent three days in Rocky Mountain and it stayed 30-35F running on setting 2-3 running on battery. Temps were only 75 or so during the day.

Was just in Taos with 95 temps and initially couldn’t get fridge below 41 on shore power. Added two smaller frozen water bottles and the next morning the fridge reached 30. I left fridge on for 8 hour drive home and temps reached a high of 101 outside. Fridge stayed low 30s. So, it seems to do pretty well if given the chance to cool. Also avoid opening as much as possible. I’m pretty impressed.

StepheninDen · June 10

I pulled the compressor fridge out of my CS-S a couple of years ago and replaced it with a yeti roadie cooler on a heavy duty pull out shelf from Home Depot. I have a second cooler mostly for drinks in the TV. I mainly boondock and the fridge was draining the battery in 1-2 days during the summer. Combo of block ice and freezer blocks in the cooler will last a week in 80 degree weather (I have a little hand pump to drain water). The shade and ventilation of the CS-S hatch also helps. I have portable solar but never need it on shorter trips without the fridge draw. With the pull out, it also adds nice extra counter space!

johndogee · July 7

@StepheninDen I’m wondering about the cooler size, did you use a Yeti Roadie 24 to replace your CS-S fridge? You also mention the pull out shelf from Home Depot, was it a complete shelf or did you buy the sliders and build the shelf yourself? Part descriptions and / or tips would be greatly appreciated.

StepheninDen · July 10

Hey @johndogee. Yes, it’s the Yeti Roadie 24. Here’s the link.
https://www.yeti.com/shop-by-color/seasonal-color-collection/10022420000.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=__iv_p_1_g__c__w__n_x_d_m_v__l__t__r__x_pla_y_7597392_f_online_o_10022420000_z_ZZ_i_en_j__s__e__h_9028782_ii__vi__&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADI2_49oRBIImMjjkiLz5jvwl43t7&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIk8mFn_2chwMVox-tBh228ggJEAQYAiABEgICjfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

The pull out shelf comes complete. You actually specify the width after ordering. Here’s the link.
https://www.homedepot.com/pep/Slide-A-Shelf-Made-To-Fit-Slide-Out-Shelf-6-in-to-36-in-Wide-Full-Extension-with-Soft-Close-Choice-of-Wood-Front-SAS-SSO-MTF-S/300941158?cm_mmc=ecc-_-THD_ORDER_CONFIRMATION_BOSS_STH-_-V1_M1_CA-_-Product_URL&ecc_ord=W890783984&em_id=256809d48cafa5be2cead92b8dedee73451476a60c7dde3c81dc5c98d7c17b78

Installation was easy. I put a couple of wood blocks under the rails so it would clear the bumper. Without exactly planning it, the blocks were the exact height so the bottom of the shelf just brushes the clamshell lock catch on top of the bumper when you pull it out. This actually creates a little leg under the shelf when it’s extended to take some of the weight. Although the shelf feels like it would be strong enough on its own. Make sure you account for the clearance the cooler will need from the side of the hatch opening when the lid is open. I didn’t think about it but got lucky and mine just barely clears. A regular tie down strap through the Yeti tie down loops works to secure the cooler to the shelf. Let me know if you have any other questions!

BTW, if you haven’t removed your fridge yet, I discovered I had to remove the top of the bumper in order to get it out. Just needed to take out a few screws.

Marceline · July 10

StepheninDen said:

Hey @johndogee. Yes, it’s the Yeti Roadie 24. Here’s the link.
https://www.yeti.com/shop-by-color/seasonal-color-collection/10022420000.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=__iv_p_1_g__c__w__n_x_d_m_v__l__t__r__x_pla_y_7597392_f_online_o_10022420000_z_ZZ_i_en_j__s__e__h_9028782_ii__vi__&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADI2_49oRBIImMjjkiLz5jvwl43t7&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIk8mFn_2chwMVox-tBh228ggJEAQYAiABEgICjfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

The pull out shelf comes complete. You actually specify the width after ordering. Here’s the link.
https://www.homedepot.com/pep/Slide-A-Shelf-Made-To-Fit-Slide-Out-Shelf-6-in-to-36-in-Wide-Full-Extension-with-Soft-Close-Choice-of-Wood-Front-SAS-SSO-MTF-S/300941158?cm_mmc=ecc-_-THD_ORDER_CONFIRMATION_BOSS_STH-_-V1_M1_CA-_-Product_URL&ecc_ord=W890783984&em_id=256809d48cafa5be2cead92b8dedee73451476a60c7dde3c81dc5c98d7c17b78

Installation was easy. I put a couple of wood blocks under the rails so it would clear the bumper. Without exactly planning it, the blocks were the exact height so the bottom of the shelf just brushes the clamshell lock catch on top of the bumper when you pull it out. This actually creates a little leg under the shelf when it’s extended to take some of the weight. Although the shelf feels like it would be strong enough on its own. Make sure you account for the clearance the cooler will need from the side of the hatch opening when the lid is open. I didn’t think about it but got lucky and mine just barely clears. A regular tie down strap through the Yeti tie down loops works to secure the cooler to the shelf. Let me know if you have any other questions!

BTW, if you haven’t removed your fridge yet, I discovered I had to remove the top of the bumper in order to get it out. Just needed to take out a few screws.

That's a terrific arrangement and I'll probably go that route when my fridge dies.

FWIW, you can also order a Slide-A-Shelf through Costco if you have a membership. I haven't compared pricing, but I suspect Costco might be a couple of bucks cheaper.

https://www.costco.com/made-to-fit-slide-out-shelves-for-existing-cabinets-by-slide-a-shelf.product.11262818.html

johndogee · July 11

Excellent, thank you for the information and tips @StepheninDen

AldebaranJill · October 7

@StepheninDen I may have to go this route but I do not have a clamshell. Let me ask you this, how long does it keep food at 40? How many days approximately at what ambient temp?

californication · November 6

@RMo we're still trying to verify our 2-way fridge. I bought a thermometer and I added it to the fridge to verify temperature. When we traveled July/August in a heat wave (it was set 3 of 7), we rarely were able to keep temp lower than 51F. If it's not very hot, we had about 45F. If we went lower with temperature (4 or more of 7), produce under the "freezer" was frozen, but the lower shelf produce was spoiled.
The thermometer was attached with magnets to the "freezer" compartment, so I'm not sure how reliable it was. We're still trying to verify it.
To mitigate issues with unpredictable temp, we brought BougeRV car fridge. It seems to be more reliable with keeping the temp than the one installed in our T@B

Cherokee · November 6

The 3 way vents heat from the condenser through the vent in the exterior T@B's wall. The 2 way vents heat into the interior of the trailer - like the ref in your house. Not a problem on shore power as your AC will handle it - but Boondocking in warm weather, may be a little more uncomfortable with the added heat. Both work best when NOT tightly packed so air can circulate around the items. On long trips we supplement our 3-way with an Otter cooler in the TV. A simple 12v computer fan blowing out on the top vent would assist in HOT weather - several posts show how to do that. All of these items are much cheaper then changing out a GREAT refrigerator that runs on propane when camping off grid.

RMo · November 6

Thanks you all for the input. The issue has become moot as we just purchased an Escape 21NE. We went for the 3-way fridge because we prefer it for boondocking and the folks on the Escape forum complain a whole lot less about temperature issues with the 3-way in an Escape. I can only think that they have better ventilation. Again, thanks!

Cherokee · November 6

RMo said:

Thanks you all for the input. The issues has become moot as we just purchased an Escape 21NE. We went for the 3-way fridge because we prefer it for boondocking and the folks on the Escape forum complain a whole lot less about temperature issues with the 3-way in an Escape. I can only think that they have better ventilation. Again, thanks!

Congrats on you new trailer!

RMo said:

Thanks you all for the input. The issues has become moot as we just purchased an Escape 21NE. We went for the 3-way fridge because we prefer it for boondocking and the folks on the Escape forum complain a whole lot less about temperature issues with the 3-way in an Escape. I can only think that they have better ventilation. Again, thanks!

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How’s your 2-way fridge holding up in the heat?

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