Cooler Tie Downs

[bdosborn]

Awhile back we bought a Waeco CF-40 portable refrigerator (we call it the refrigerooler). I've been thinking I need to figure out a way to secure it to the truck bed for a couple of reasons; its expensive (!!) and I don't want it rolling around in the truck bed. It also weighs a ton when its full and I wouldn't want it slamming into the front of the bed if I ever hit something. I started lurking over at the expedition trailer forum and came across some cool tie down stuff.

Here's the refrigerooler tied down to the truck bed.


I used a cam buckle strap wrapped around the handle and it's secured directly to the bed.


Here's one of the tie down points. As much as I hate to drill holes in my vehicles, I went ahead and did it. I used an anchor plate with a single ring tie down stud in the middle of the bed.


I used a track system for the outside connection points. It gives more choices for spots to tie down to and uses the same type of tie down stud.


Take the studs off and the anchor plate is just a smidge higher than the ridges in the bed. I'm thinking it won't get in the way much at all. The track is lower than the ridge so it definitely won't get in the way.


I had to grind down the anchor plate about 1/8" a side to get it to fit in the ridge. I colored in the end with a felt tip marker.


I got everything here:

Mac's Tie Downs

Their stuff is a little more expensive but *much* higher quality then the stuff I've found locally (Walmart, Home Depot, etc.). Its probably a little overboard but the refrigerooler ain't movin' now.

Bruce

[Woodbutcher]

Hey I like your setup. Very clever. I don't have a refridgecooler but I do have a hard plastic locker I strap into the back of my Wrangler when off roading. Those bed clamps would do the trick. Thanks for the post!

Steve

[bdosborn]

I ran across this when I was looking for tie downs:



Just make sure you look under your bed *before* you order. Mine almost didn't fit because there was a large brace under the bed where I first planned to install them. Luckily I found other spots that worked.

Bruce

[Woodbutcher]

Thanks Bruce, good point! I love your jeep, wish I had some mountains here. I guess that's why they call us Flatlanders here in Illinois.

[bdosborn]

I wish that was my jeep but its not. I got the picture from a Four Wheeler magazine build. I had a 1960 CJ3B but sold it years ago. I loved wheeling it but got sick of fixing it.

Bruce

[Redgloves]

I would love to invest in the same cooler, but have a couple issues.

How did you run power?
How do you keep it powered while at the campsite?

I am on the shorter side and the Dodge Dakota 4 door truck bed is high, accessing the cooler will be an issue. I have thought about keeping the cooler in the back seat, that presents additional issues. Due to weight and price, I would not remove from back passenger seat area.
The back seat fold up providing additional floor space, so wonder if the cooler would fit there.

How to keep powered while at campsite?
How would a person run power to the back seat area. The closest power plug is located in the center counsel.

Would there be enough ventilation for the cooler not to overheat sitting on the seat or floor?

What else should I be concerned with?

Thanks,
Jean

[pete42]

Bruce I see you have an extension bar across the bed did that not work?

I do like the tie-downs may be some thing I could use to keep my mobility scooter from moving.

pete

[bdosborn]

I would love to invest in the same cooler, but have a couple issues.

How did you run power?
How do you keep it powered while at the campsite?

My pickup came with an RV 7 pin plug in the bed for a 5th wheel, I just plugged a 12V outlet into that. You'd have to run power to the bed of your truck if you went that route, you might be able to tap off the trailer power if your truck is so equipped. I have a 30 watt solar panel I plan to use for cooler power during the day, the cooler can ride through the night on the truck batteries without a problem (my truck has dual batteries)

I am on the shorter side and the Dodge Dakota 4 door truck bed is high, accessing the cooler will be an issue. I have thought about keeping the cooler in the back seat, that presents additional issues. Due to weight and price, I would not remove from back passenger seat area.
The back seat fold up providing additional floor space, so wonder if the cooler would fit there.

There's lots of different sizes, here's a link to the cheapest dealer I've found. But hold on to your hat, they're not cheap.

American RV Company

They have the CF-35 on sale right now for cheaper then anybody else, even cheaper than the Edgestar 43 and easily cheaper than the Engel.

Edgestar and Engel

How to keep powered while at campsite?
How would a person run power to the back seat area. The closest power plug is located in the center counsel.

Would there be enough ventilation for the cooler not to overheat sitting on the seat or floor?

The 12V cord is pretty long, it might reach from the back to the front console. You could put a 12V plug in the back, under a front seat if it didn't reach or get a 12v extension cord. Sitting on the floor or the seat would be fine, just remember that the hotter it is, the more power they use. The Waeco comes with a 120V plug too so you could plug into campground power if its available.

What else should I be concerned with?

Here's a link to my web page where I ran some tests on battery usage of the Waeco CF 40. I know they're very expensive but I would buy another one in a heartbeat as they work great.

Bruce

[bdosborn]

Bruce I see you have an extension bar across the bed did that not work?
pete

It kept the refrigerooler from sliding around on a smooth road but it was too weak for anything rougher. I tend to overdo tie downs after jumping the jeep once or twice. Hate losing beer....


Bruce