looking for thoughts on a fridge replacement

[BossHogg]

Thx for the on-boarding, I'm new to this van life so I've got questions. Recent challenge, my isolator took a dump, I suspect it was the original. Things got real hot, melted my positive battery cable all the way to the primary battery and melted the lead battery connector. So far there hasn't been any other damage. Pretty exciting. So, I'm taking a crash course in 12v/shore power/generator electrical theory.
Question 1, I found my fridge had backyard electrical wiring, fridge is 30 plus years old. I'm going to trash it, any thoughts on replacing it. I'm thinking a 12v portable chest vs. getting a 12v same size, wire it back in......spend a grand or more solution, Any thoughts...

[Twoxentrix]

Originally Posted by BossHogg

I'm going to trash it, any thoughts on replacing it. I'm thinking a 12v portable chest vs. getting a 12v same size, wire it back in......spend a grand or more solution, Any thoughts...

What Floor plan do you have? Are you saying you'd like to get a chest and put it in the 'void' left by the old fridge? If you have the RB50 floor plan, I have seen where others put a chest cooler on a slide in the same location, but if I recall it would stick farther out (about a foot from the cabinet, but its located behind the drivers seat so really not much of an obstacle.

First Post on this Thread has one pictured as such:
https://www.sportsmobileforum.com/fo...ade-32401.html

[BossHogg]

Thx for the quick turn around, I couldn't tell you the floor plan, '91 dodge B350 so the stove, fridge, storage and generator are on the passenger side aft of the side entry doors in a galley set up. I've thought of what you had posted, nice work and it's nice to actually see how a chest would be a wider solution. I think I'll go with a "close fit" multi-voltage small rv fridge. May need to frame it out some but what the heck. Space isn't something that grows on trees.

[Timerider]

BossHogg,

Any chance you could post a picture of the existing setup (or at least the hole where the fridge used to be)?

Timerider

[BossHogg]

will do, just replaced my fuel tank grommet and finished finding a fuel filler housing for the ol dodge. I'm glad it's winter so I can work out some of these issues before camping season. I'll get pic's asap.

[Steve C]

Thoughts on fridge replacement...? Sure, find something that will fit back where the old one came out. I replaced my 20+ year old Norcold with a similar Truckfridge and couldn't be happier. Looks "factory" and was relatively simple to install. Only involved adding some plywood underneath to match the original mounting location exactly.

Best of luck with whatever direction you choose to go.

[Bosco53]

Here's what I did. Absolutely love it.

https://www.sportsmobileforum.com/fo...ade-32401.html

[BossHogg]

ok, sorry life gets in the way sometimes. I said I would have a few pic's for post. I've done some work around the aux battery, breaker and some other related work. My first attempt at attaching pic's so I'm sorry if I'm screwed it up. It is a R12 fridge so it has to go. I guess I just need to decide which way to go. My thanks go out for the input I've got on that.

My next thought up for opinions is my toilet and for that matter the sink. toilet isn't enclosed, kind of a cassette looking rig. I know removing some of this stuff causes heart attacks in some but I don't really think I need it or the sink, more the tank and pump for the sink and all the other tanks and plumbing under the van. I put in a manual pump and 5 gal water jug under the sink to handle those times I need a little H2o. Thoughts??? (I can post a pic of the throne but it's at the end of the galley at the rear of the van. I could recover some valuable space.)

[86Scotty]

Looks like a Truckfridge T130 would fit the space perfectly. That's a very common upgrade on our vans and a great fridge. Not cheap but very nice.

Looks like they are sold out right now.

Try to post a pic of your other plumbing concerns but ultimately it's in the eye of the beholder. If you don't need it or don't want it, yank it.

[Twoxentrix]

If you have a portable toilet it’s easy enough to pull - other options available that are more compact for travel style emergencies (plastic ‘personal duty’ bags they sell for such use).
I’d be hesitant to pull the water tank, but again there are many other portable options such as Waterport’s, water bladders, military style water cans (some with built in filters and/or battery pumps).
I consider my 18 gallon tank as a back-up in case I ever had a radiator problem in an isolated area (at least I’d have something to refill it with if I’m able to manage a field repair).
BUT, as Eric mentions….do what you want - it’s your van and you know your needs best.