Awning / Fridge Install Advice

[DabberAZ]

Pulled the trigger on these two looooong overdue equipment upgrades [emoji1360]. Not top of the line but should meet my needs versus none at all. Under $525 in stock arriving next week in time for the HOT [emoji3508] AZ Dove hunting season. #shade_coldbeer

Any tips on mounting the awning to stock roof rails. Also, lessons learn with a AC fridge on a homemade wood riser (no drawers at this time)

 

[Maadcaap]

I made some brackets a few yers ago.. works great with stock rails.. i dont have any more but any laser cutting shop can cut some,,, just a metal plate with 5 holes.. T slot bolts avaliable online.. search awning on stock rails

I went to a stereo shop to run 12v arb plug to the back for the fridge.. right off the battery... tie the fridge down, you dont want it loose in the back

 

[rageandlove]

I build (two!) wood platforms w L-track to (1) strap down fridge, battery, other stuff and (2) sleep in back.

Sleeping Platform - V1.0 Complete - Now w Plan

Has worked flawlessly.

I'm about to create v3.0 to tweak a few things specific to my set up.

 

[DabberAZ]

I made some brackets a few yers ago.. works great with stock rails.. i dont have any more but any laser cutting shop can cut some,,, just a metal plate with 5 holes.. T slot bolts avaliable online.. search awning on stock rails

I went to a stereo shop to run 12v arb plug to the back for the fridge.. right off the battery... tie the fridge down, you dont want it loose in the back

The awning looks like it comes with some decent T-plates, good call on the T-slot bolts. The awning is 6.5 wide, the stock rack is about 5 ft, so there is about 16 inches hanging out front unsupported. I hope it doesn't sing in the wind or vibrate.

As for the fridge, there is a dedicated 12V adn 110V in the back cargo area, is that not sufficient? I do want to strap it down no doubt.

 

[DabberAZ]

I build (two!) wood platforms w L-track to (1) strap down fridge, battery, other stuff and (2) sleep in back.

Sleeping Platform - V1.0 Complete - Now w Plan

Has worked flawlessly.

I'm about to create v3.0 to tweak a few things specific to my set up.

Dang [MENTION=202061]rageandlove[/MENTION] - your shop is out of control sweet. You all need to click that link and see this guys shop! So, yah, not at that level, but you share a good lesson. You've shown, that it's okay, to evolve, and improve. I've been procrastinating to build one for years, waiting for the perfect everything and have done nothing. NO MORE.

I'm going for it. Something simple. I like the idea of just a shelf, so I can stow gear that gets used frequently underneath all the other gear for easy access, shotgun, chairs, ammo, table. then camp gear on top above that. It will most likely just be a riser platform. I 'm stealing your bolt down idea.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[rageandlove]

Hey - it's not mine, it's my buddy's ... and it's great.

I've been doing the try/learn/adjust in a number of areas. For example, I head out dispersed camping a lot, and there I have been taking 2 boxes with camping/kitchen stuff, and at the end of every trip, I sort all the things I didn't use into the 2nd box. I've gotten to the point where I just take 1 now, since I proved half the crap I used to carry wasn't necessary.

Latest experimentation is how to carry a few bundles of firewood on top of the truck safely, so I have to do less scrounging at campsites.

Have fun with it!

Dang [MENTION=202061]rageandlove[/MENTION] - your shop is out of control sweet. You all need to click that link and see this guys shop! So, yah, not at that level, but you share a good lesson. You've shown, that it's okay, to evolve, and improve. I've been procrastinating to build one for years, waiting for the perfect everything and have done nothing. NO MORE.

I'm going for it. Something simple. I like the idea of just a shelf, so I can stow gear that gets used frequently underneath all the other gear for easy access, shotgun, chairs, ammo, table. then camp gear on top above that. It will most likely just be a riser platform. I 'm stealing your bolt down idea.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Anand]

The awning looks like it comes with some decent T-plates, good call on the T-slot bolts. The awning is 6.5 wide, the stock rack is about 5 ft, so there is about 16 inches hanging out front unsupported. I hope it doesn't sing in the wind or vibrate.

Look into something like LFD Off Road's awning brackets for stock roof rails. Depending on what your awning brand's specification is, 16" should be alright. ARB's specification allows for up to 700mm (~27.5") unsupported. Getting extra wind noise is probably likely.

As for the fridge, there is a dedicated 12V adn 110V in the back cargo area, is that not sufficient? I do want to strap it down no doubt.

The problem with the outlets in the back is two fold, firstly they are only powered when the truck is turned on; and secondly the 12v outlet is fed by wires that are much smaller than most (all?) fridge manufacturer's recommend.

 

[DabberAZ]

Look into something like LFD Off Road's awning brackets for stock roof rails. Depending on what your awning brand's specification is, 16" should be alright. ARB's specification allows for up to 700mm (~27.5") unsupported. Getting extra wind noise is probably likely.



The problem with the outlets in the back is two fold, firstly they are only powered when the truck is turned on; and secondly the 12v outlet is fed by wires that are much smaller than most (all?) fridge manufacturer's recommend.

Two very good tips. Nice brackets. And dawg gone it on that tease outlet wiring. It funny, now adays, you can't have live battery in AUX unless you rewire. Thanks for protecting me from me.

Fridge should be here in a couple days. Awning a day or 2 after that. I can't wait.

 

[rageandlove]

I bought a Dometic battery. Ties down behind fridge. Battery into rear 12V fridge into battery. Battery charges while you are driving and runs fridge at camp. Just ordered a 120 W fold up solar blanket so I can charge battery when staying in 1 place for a few days. Battery can also be used for phones, etc.

Portable batteries have come a long way. It's super easy to create a versatile setup that provides continuous power without needing to do any wiring etc. these days.

Two very good tips. Nice brackets. And dawg gone it on that tease outlet wiring. It funny, now adays, you can't have live battery in AUX unless you rewire. Thanks for protecting me from me.

Fridge should be here in a couple days. Awning a day or 2 after that. I can't wait.

 

[DabberAZ]

I bought a Dometic battery. Ties down behind fridge. Battery into rear 12V fridge into battery. Battery charges while you are driving and runs fridge at camp. Just ordered a 120 W fold up solar blanket so I can charge battery when staying in 1 place for a few days. Battery can also be used for phones, etc.

Portable batteries have come a long way. It's super easy to create a versatile setup that provides continuous power without needing to do any wiring etc. these days.

Hmmm, do you have a pic of that. I just went cross eyed? I think I get it. Interesting approach.

 

[rageandlove]

Hmmm, do you have a pic of that. I just went cross eyed? I think I get it. Interesting approach.

I'm going on a flyfishing trip Thursday. I'll post a picture Tue/Wed when I have stuff set up in the truck - ok?

 

[DabberAZ]

I'm going on a flyfishing trip Thursday. I'll post a picture Tue/Wed when I have stuff set up in the truck - ok?

Fly Fishing (envious) safe travels and tight lines

I’m preparing for dove season tomorrow.

PS fridge arrived today [emoji3]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mudhorn]

As for the fridge, there is a dedicated 12V adn 110V in the back cargo area, is that not sufficient? I do want to strap it down no doubt.

Those outlets should work when the vehicle is on. But they are not hot when the car is off. Hopefully you are not like me and forget to push the button to turn the outlets “on” every time.
The external battery is a nice idea as well as wiring the fridge to your battery.
Issue I discovered in very hot climates is the fridge will not stay as cold when the vehicle is off. Keep the surrounding as cool as possible and find insulation, that will help a lot with the internal temp.

 

[Anand]

Issue I discovered in very hot climates is the fridge will not stay as cold when the vehicle is off.

What temps and what fridge are you using? I have a ARB 50 that lives in the truck 24/7, set to 32ºF, and even after the truck sitting in the sun for a few days of 95ºF+ temps it still solidly maintains 28-36ºF (depending on where it is in it's cooling cycle)

 

[Mudhorn]

What temps and what fridge are you using? I have a ARB 50 that lives in the truck 24/7, set to 32ºF, and even after the truck sitting in the sun for a few days of 95ºF+ temps it still solidly maintains 28-36ºF (depending on where it is in it's cooling cycle)

That is awesome, I need to switch. I have a Dometic

 

[DabberAZ]

Those outlets should work when the vehicle is on. But they are not hot when the car is off. Hopefully you are not like me and forget to push the button to turn the outlets “on” every time.
The external battery is a nice idea as well as wiring the fridge to your battery.
Issue I discovered in very hot climates is the fridge will not stay as cold when the vehicle is off. Keep the surrounding as cool as possible and find insulation, that will help a lot with the internal temp.

Yep, the live on key is a problem. But not as big as forgetting to turn the swich on (For 110V plug) which I did. So, now, I'm using the 12v plug, which is better since the fridge is a 12v compressor. And when the car is running - it maintains temp no problem.

My initial tests have been an empty fridge, so when the car is parked, it warms up fairly quickly - mind you AZ 109* and empty cooler that was at about 34*. So, I think when it's loaded with cool goodies, it should maintain it's temp better.

But I have to get a hot line ran from the battery directly to the outet on heavy gage wire for long camping and exploring trips. That's another whole conversation, where do you run the wire, fuses, etc.

But I'm certainly lovin it! No ice, and roll out!

 

[DabberAZ]

What temps and what fridge are you using? I have a ARB 50 that lives in the truck 24/7, set to 32ºF, and even after the truck sitting in the sun for a few days of 95ºF+ temps it still solidly maintains 28-36ºF (depending on where it is in it's cooling cycle)

Yeah, that's the awesomeness of ARB and other topline F/F. envious.

I got the Alpicool C30. Here's a link.

Reasoning - fit my budget < $300, availability, size - just about perfect for my rig and needs, lid opens on the long edge, not the short edge - so I can open in Runner without needing slides, good reviews, good ratings, AC and DC powercords, quite, 3 stage battery protection, decent tie down handles. Oh, and to my surprise when it arrived - Bluetooth controlled!

Only had it 2 days, and tested at 30* in car in 109* AZ temps. Does well when on power, but my tests were empty cooler (well 2 beers) and when not running it heated up about 10* = so still a cold beer after a hour hike.

I'll be interested how long it stays cold with a full load. Any case, I'm in love. I've always wanted one, and I'm already impressed and excited to have one.

 

[Anand]

I got the Alpicool C30. Here's a link.

Only had it 2 days, and tested at 30* in car in 109* AZ temps. Does well when on power, but my tests were empty cooler (well 2 beers) and when not running it heated up about 10* = so still a cold beer after a hour hike

Ahh ok, I also have an Alpicool C15 as a second fridge, the bluetooth connectivity is surprisingly convenient and the fridge as a whole works quite well. I'm not a fan of the lack of tie-down spots on it, but it has definitely served it's purpose!

 

[rageandlove]

Fly Fishing (envious) safe travels and tight lines

I’m preparing for dove season tomorrow.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks. Sorry I'm late. Here's some shots.

Battery plugs into 12V in back and cord goes under platform:

Cord emerges beside battery and plugs into battery (DC power to battery):

Battery then plugs into fridge supplying DC to fridge:

So battery is always powering fridge. When car is on, battery gets re-charged. With battery in car and normal use of fridge, lasts about 2 days (though hotter = less and cooler = more ... .)

(Cable run is messier than normal. Was in a hurry - late leaving for river.)

Also, I bought an Overland Solar 130W solar blanket that plugs directly into the battery (battery has a charge controller). So with that setup - fridge, battery, bugout - I can run fridge indefinitely. And it's a super simple system to set up and maintain.

I noticed Dometic is having a 10% off sale this weekend which includes their battery. It's Lithium Iron - you can read about the benefits vs. Lithium Ion on the web, but one benefit is roughly 2x as many discharge cycles.

Good luck.

 

[DabberAZ]

Thanks. Sorry I'm late. Here's some shots.



Battery plugs into 12V in back and cord goes under platform:



Battery then plugs into fridge supplying DC to fridge:



So battery is always powering fridge. When car is on, battery gets re-charged. With battery in car and normal use of fridge, lasts about 2 days (though hotter = less and cooler = more ... .)



(Cable run is messier than normal. Was in a hurry - late leaving for river.)



Good luck.

Killer setup. Thanks for sharing.

Any fish [emoji476]!


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