which fridge to buy ?? Brisbane Camping Show.

lachjake · June 11, 2011, 05:11:49 PM

Howdy All,

Heading to the Brissie Camping show tomorrow. Looking for input on some fridges, Waeco, Evakool etc, looking at approx 50 litre. Any tips, things to look out for, things to leave alone, things that are a must?? Any info is greatly appreciated.

Also looking into a battery charger to charge one 95ah on the camper and a 12 volt lighting system ( looking at the DIY KORR lighting pack ).

Cheers

Steve

moonie80 · June 11, 2011, 06:07:42 PM

Evakool for the fridge mate, awesome stuff and Australian made on the sunny coast if there are dramas. {which I'm sure there won't be}

oldblade · June 11, 2011, 06:10:12 PM

defiantly evakool a 50L will set you back under 1k in the fibreglass model I bought one from the sydney show to go with our yellow 70l in the car

GS · June 11, 2011, 06:14:35 PM

Have a good look at the Trailblazers http://www.norcoast.com.au/

Good value too

markymark · June 11, 2011, 06:42:49 PM

I have 2 Evakool 47 Litre units and they are great but I reckon my older one (bought 2nd hand) is better than the new one because the evaporator plate goes all the way around the freezer. The Bushman is a great unit and well priced and the new ARB fridge has the bells and whistles and performs well.

If you want industrial strength, check out the Traliblazer and Explorer fridges. Very big, thick insulation and $$$ to match the fact they're hand built here in Australia.

Of course nothing wrong with the proven Engel fridge but it's interesting to note 4wd Action tests show they struggle to keep temperature in really hot conditions. No doubting their reliability though.

Do a search on Waeco's and you'll be confused - some love them and others hate them. Appears to be luck of the draw. A close friend had enough of his failing and sold it but some get years without any trouble.

Mark.

Mark.

SteveandViv · June 11, 2011, 06:50:05 PM

Well I'm sure there will be plenty of opinions on this one

one thing I would think about is the size or where it will live. Quite often the shape is either a little wider, higher etc. If your planning a special space then that may make a difference.

A lot of brands now use the Danfoss compressor - Waeco, ARB and others. Look for deals as well. Waeco have a good seconds outlet and often create bundles like adding a power tank, wiring loom and insulation bag.
I've only ever had Waecos and had no issues with lids breaking etc. Sure things can go wrong but that the same for all. One feature that I think is worth while is the Auto battery cut out that I think Waeco and ARB use.

Anyway, have fun choosing and using

sablesoft · June 11, 2011, 06:52:57 PM

Hi,

Check out the ARB fridges heaps of good features, I am VERY pleased with my ARB fridge. Very Strong and robust fridge

Check the video on this page
http://www.arb.com.au/products/arb-freezer-fridges/

HTH
Ray

cootha · June 11, 2011, 07:29:07 PM

look at em all, go with your gut feeling. the gut knows all.

Campa · June 11, 2011, 08:05:42 PM

Engel have a special going at the moment. $1249 "Escape with ET package" for the 40L fridge.

Free; Engel 8 can thermo/cooler, Engel fishing/cooler bag, Engel fridge stand, Engel overnight plastic container set, Engel stubby cooler, Bennie, cap plus bonus transit bag.

It was in a brochure from a TJM store.

lachjake · June 11, 2011, 08:27:59 PM

Thanks for the info guys.....will head out tomorrow and hopefully be the owner of a fridge by the days end !!

Xoe01 · June 11, 2011, 08:47:02 PM

Hi there,

I went to the Brissie show on Thursday and also have an Evakool. I bought it from Camping Solutions in Cleveland about a year ago.

I paid less through them than any specials at the show, I checked the prices on Thursday, out of interest, and still reckon it's cheaper out of the show...

Just my opinion, I have a 95L. It's fab, never tested the amp usage but it's never given me any worries, never drained my battery. I have a problem with it being too cool, even on the lowest eco setting....and that's a problem I am more than happy to live with!!

Dion · June 11, 2011, 08:49:05 PM

I've got a Waeco, Engel and Norcoast

Norcoast are by far the best made, talk about solid!

I like the low current draw of my Engel.

The Waeco is light.

Hope that helps

Seriously, what SteveandViv said is best advice ... check out relative sizes, and ensure you're getting a GOOD compressor. Not all Waeco's use Danfoss.

lachjake · June 13, 2011, 05:06:49 AM

Ended up purchasing an EVAKOOL 60 litre. Went with my gut feel, liked Evakool all along ( borrowed my bro in laws on a recent trip) and thought it was great. Also included was the insulation cover and 240v adaptor. $799.
Thanks for the info guys !!!

Silvo · June 13, 2011, 06:14:17 AM

Quote from: lachjake on June 13, 2011, 05:06:49 AM
Ended up purchasing an EVAKOOL 60 litre. Went with my gut feel, liked Evakool all along ( borrowed my bro in laws on a recent trip) and thought it was great. Also included was the insulation cover and 240v adaptor. $799.
Thanks for the info guys !!!

well done, great price for a 60ltr fridge.!! no doubt you'll be happy with it.

Roo · June 13, 2011, 03:57:41 PM

Quote from: lachjake on June 13, 2011, 05:06:49 AM
Ended up purchasing an EVAKOOL 60 litre. Went with my gut feel, liked Evakool all along ( borrowed my bro in laws on a recent trip) and thought it was great. Also included was the insulation cover and 240v adaptor. $799.
Thanks for the info guys !!!

thats a good price.
Themissus and I went on Sunday and got ourselves a Bushman for $999. The rep was saying Saturday was an all out price war on fridges and he had dropped his price from $1099 to try keep some sales. We saw Waeco doing packs with a CF50+ a 41L esky, accessories and a trolly to wheel it to your car for $1049. Evacool had heaps of bargains in the Esky's but I don't remember the fridge prices, they had the Travelmate(looks like a waeco) fridges cheap but I'm a dubious about their thirst for amps

oldblade · June 13, 2011, 04:21:19 PM

WOW that's a great price
and a great fridge

outback jack · June 13, 2011, 04:26:07 PM

Quote from: lachjake on June 13, 2011, 05:06:49 AM
Ended up purchasing an EVAKOOL 60 litre. Went with my gut feel, liked Evakool all along ( borrowed my bro in laws on a recent trip) and thought it was great. Also included was the insulation cover and 240v adaptor. $799.
Thanks for the info guys !!!

very good price and you wont be disappointed

morgue · June 13, 2011, 04:50:07 PM

Quote from: Roo on June 13, 2011, 03:57:41 PM
thats a good price.
Themissus and I went on Sunday and got ourselves a Bushman for $999. The rep was saying Saturday was an all out price war on fridges and he had dropped his price from $1099 to try keep some sales. We saw Waeco doing packs with a CF50+ a 41L esky, accessories and a trolly to wheel it to your car for $1049. Evacool had heaps of bargains in the Esky's but I don't remember the fridge prices, they had the Travelmate(looks like a waeco) fridges cheap but I'm a dubious about their thirst for amps

You will not be dissapointed, good price, heaps of flexibility and low amp draw....have fun with your new toy

lachjake · June 13, 2011, 06:39:18 PM

Yep

. we are pretty damn happy with it. We are heading to Maroochydore this weekend for 5 days so I will try the new fridge and new lights on the battery and see what usage I can get.

Roo · June 13, 2011, 08:11:04 PM

I'm cooling a beer right now....don't know when I'll get to drink it as the weather lends itself to something a touch stiffer right now. just unboxed it after dinner, plugged in and set her running, 19 deg down to -4 in about 15 minutes with the 35ltr lid and nothing in it.

Pete_R · June 13, 2011, 10:25:52 PM

Quote from: Roo on June 13, 2011, 03:57:41 PM
Themissus and I went on Sunday and got ourselves a Bushman for $999.

Wow, $999 for a Bushman is a great price also. Best I could get when I got mine at the Sydney show last year was about $100 off

wartim · June 09, 2012, 10:19:53 PM

Hi Lachjake,

I have just done a seach on the Evakool Travelmate fridge (the one that looks like a Waceo) and see you bought one at the 2011 Brisbane Caravan & Camping show. How is it going as I have just bought one at this years show and am hoping I have done the right thing?

Cheers

Wartim

Kalebjarrod · June 10, 2012, 06:36:19 AM

that's a good price, I got three evakool / fridge mates , pretty good gear

Watty2975 · June 10, 2012, 09:15:30 AM

Evakool are great. We have had our 68L for about 11 years. Has been fantastic. Service from evakool is brilliant. I had mine rewired about 2 years ago through the factory. Mice decided to nibble on the wiring while in storage. Evakool did a great job and pricing was very good.
Runs off the car battery for around 3 days in north Queensland depending on heat.

Enjoy your new fridge.

BrisVegasGolfer · June 10, 2012, 09:31:20 AM

Quote from: lachjake on June 13, 2011, 05:06:49 AM
Ended up purchasing an EVAKOOL 60 litre. Went with my gut feel, liked Evakool all along ( borrowed my bro in laws on a recent trip) and thought it was great. Also included was the insulation cover and 240v adaptor. $799.
Thanks for the info guys !!!

is that the "Fridgemate" plastic style one? Looking for a fridge for my Pajero and was wondering if that style would fit lengthwise, as the compressor seems to stick out a bit. I like their ice boxes, so figure that's a good basis for a fridge. Not sure we can stretch to the $1200 or so for a 40litre Engel....

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which fridge to buy ?? Brisbane Camping Show.