For those with an outdoor fridge

[Jopopsy]

I've never had one before now. Do you guys pre-cool the fridge and put beverages in it before you get on the road? Or do you turn the little fridge on once you've already arrived?

I'm not sure which way to go since once you are underway you've introduced a 'planned power outage' of sorts into the mix. Does the little fridge stay decently cool enough that it makes sense to get it running before you're underway? Or do you just put stuff in it when you get to the campground and have it nice and cold the following day?

[kweinert]

We usually just put beverages out there. Stick them in the day before when we're packing things up.

Since it only cools when it's plugged in to the mains we've never felt comfortable with putting actual food in there.

[Jopopsy]

Right, but do you put them in the fridge w/ the fridge 'on' while its in your driveway? Or do you turn it on for the first time only after you've arrived at camp?

[kweinert]

Yes, that's what I was trying to say.

Given that the outside fridge is on pretty much any time you're on shore power (at lease we've never adjusted the temperature) when the beverages are loaded in while we're otherwise loading the camper basically pre-chills them so they're available when we hit the campsite.

A couple of notes: 1. we always plug in when we're packing up; b) so far we've not gone far enough from home with this one to really know how well the outside fridge keeps things cold when it's not plugged in.

[Midnightmoon]

My trailer is plugged in all the time at the house so that little fridge runs all the time. It will stay somewhat cold while traveling. Not cooler cold, but decent. For a longer travel day, I will throw a couple of frozen bottles of water in the mix to help out.

I'm not sure why I have a picture of mine all packed up for our trip next weekend, but here's my setup ready to camp.

[albirk]

I do not have one but friends freeze (2)= 1/2 gallon milk jugs of ice and place inside the fridge when going on long trips say 3 plus hours. Beer is still cold when they get there. Set the jugs in the freezer for the ride back home the camper stays plugged in all summer so the fridge is always cold for extra fridge space around the house. It is the drink fridge for weekends they stay home.

[OurJayco]

That's not enough Budweiser for a weekend of camping for me!!!

[Midnightmoon]

Originally Posted by OurJayco

That's not enough Budweiser for a weekend of camping for me!!!

Lol. The rest are in the inside fridge.......

[AKRUEBBE]

Our Pinnacle came with the outdoor fridge. I told DW that I would probably take it out and use that area for storage..............wrong!! I love it now, will hold a little over 24 cans of beer and I have it on 24/7 except while traveling and even on 4 to 5 hour trips keeps the beverages very cool. I keep it set at 5.5 while plugged in.

[3'senough]

Pre-cooling works well if you can do it. In the summer when the trips are days vs a few hours I just set it up at camp, but put pre-chilled items in it to make the process faster.

One thing you need to have is a latch on the door, or you will get a surprise when you open the ODK door. I do not put glass bottles in my outdoor fridge while moving for obvious reasons.

[bstannard]

I added an inverter and junction box with manual change over switch so fridge runs off battery on the road and shore power once at the camp site. A cold one sure makes set up go better!
Bill

[AKRUEBBE]

Originally Posted by 3'senough

Pre-cooling works well if you can do it. In the summer when the trips are days vs a few hours I just set it up at camp, but put pre-chilled items in it to make the process faster.

One thing you need to have is a latch on the door, or you will get a surprise when you open the ODK door. I do not put glass bottles in my outdoor fridge while moving for obvious reasons.

Yes, I experienced the beer tumbling out when opening the door. Mounted two pieces of heavy duty velcro, one to the door and one on the side. Holds the door shut during travel.

[NYMarty]

I have my TT plugged in at home when I'm not camping so the fridge is always cold and usually full of beverages.
I installed a child proof refrigerator latch to keep it closed when traveling. Just open it slow when you get to camp

[Thighmaster]

Very slow to cool once we hit camp, so I turn it on as cold as will go the night before heading out, with some freezer blocks inside as well. When I get to camp, the blocks go in the freezer, and I fill the fridge from everything that was in a large cooler during the trip.

[kluza2786]

We have a White Hawk 29REKS TT and I ended up taking the little fridge out so that I would have some additional storage space. I found that it was too small to carry much water, beer, etc. and since it required a landline to cool we rarely used it. The additional space came in handy.

[bluegill1]

Originally Posted by kluza2786

We have a White Hawk 29REKS TT and I ended up taking the little fridge out so that I would have some additional storage space. I found that it was too small to carry much water, beer, etc. and since it required a landline to cool we rarely used it. The additional space came in handy.

Seems like those with the really small fridge, it’s not uncommon to remove due to its really small capacity, but those with the larger outdoor fridge make good use of them.
Either one, beats running into the camper every time you need a drink. Lots a good responses on pre chilling.

[Waterdog]

We love the fridge in our 317RLOK. Always plug in the day before a trip to pre-cool and keep it full of beverages (beer) while traveling. It keeps item cold enough while driving for 5-6 hours if everything is pre-cooled. Have had the tumbling beer shower and open door upon arrival. For the open door I used a small spring style collapsible trash can wedged between the fridge door and the bay door when closing. Worked great and I have a trash can in the ODK. Recently I added three expandable curtain style rods from Amazon for about $9 that retain the beverages. I load the fridge then place the rods in the fridge to hold everything in place. Working very well so far.

Hotop 3 Pack Cupboard Bars Tensions Rod Spring Curtain Rod, Adjustable Width (11.81-20 Inches, White)

[Midnightmoon]

Originally Posted by Waterdog

We love the fridge in our 317RLOK. Always plug in the day before a trip to pre-cool and keep it full of beverages (beer) while traveling. It keeps item cold enough while driving for 5-6 hours if everything is pre-cooled. Have had the tumbling beer shower and open door upon arrival. For the open door I used a small spring style collapsible trash can wedged between the fridge door and the bay door when closing. Worked great and I have a trash can in the ODK. Recently I added three expandable curtain style rods from Amazon for about $9 that retain the beverages. I load the fridge then place the rods in the fridge to hold everything in place. Working very well so far.

Hotop 3 Pack Cupboard Bars Tensions Rod Spring Curtain Rod, Adjustable Width (11.81-20 Inches, White)

I never considered something like a curtain rod to hold things in place. Thanks for the idea.

[JimM86]

Can you tell me how the inverter was installed and manual override. Would like to do this. Any info helpfull thanks

[Hnyctfam]

we precool ours....have a fridge in the basement and throw the beverages in there before heading out, then put them in the outdoor kitchen camper fridge before we leave. after im setup at the campsite, i have a nice cold beverage all ready! a little preplanning goes a long way to my relaxation! i used to not, and just throw them in there, but a luke warm beverage is not as enjoyable.....