Who's running a fridge in the back seat?

[EXSSIVE]

After some deliberation we've decided that a fridge in the back seat makes the most sense for us for several reasons.

Some of which are:

Better thermal management. - Inside of the cab will remain fairly consistent with heat in the summer and a/c in the winter as well as little to no direct sunlight.

Increased security. - Fridge's are expensive. I'm not a fan of leaving one out overnight in the truck bed where it's easily accessible by both thieves and animals. In addition, some of our trips will be into bear country where an extra layer of scent and visual blocking could easily make a difference.

Ease of access. - With a rear seat delete, the fridge will be mounted lower than it would be in the bed with a slide. To my wife, this makes a pretty big difference in comfort and use. We can also more easily access controls while on the road and our power station will live in the back near the fridge if needed.

Convenience and packaging. - With the fridge in the bed we lose valuable space for larger and more awkward gear that we don't mind being exposed to the elements. It will also make it more manageable when trying to access items from in the bed as nothing will be "trapped" behind a fridge or block the slide from moving in or out.

With that being said, I'm just under 6ft tall and I'm typically a notch or two forward of the rear most seating position with a slight recline. Because of this, size of fridge is a concern as I intend to mount it behind the drivers seat long ways. Obviously this will necessitate a rear seat delete in order to make it work. The two fridges that I'm currently trying to decide between are the Setpower RV65D and the Iceco VL65.

Does anyone else have experience with a fridge mounted in such a manor with similar sizing? Or perhaps experience with either of these two fridges or recommendations of one in a similar price point ($500-$900). Dual zone is a must for my wife.

Pictures are much appreciated if anyone has any of their setup.

Thanks!

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[Sempe-Fi Rubicon]

Here is my budget setup: Did a 40% delete with 1/2" plywood covered with outdoor carpet. The fridge is a 37 quart that has carried enough food for a 10 day trip. I like having in the rear seat vs the bed of the truck as I carry a lot of gear and need all the bed space I can get. Having in the rear of the cab it definitely uses less power and holds temps better.

 

[justbig]

After running one in the bed for some time, I prefer in the back seat. Just for the very reasons you listed. I created my own seat delete with the 1/2" Plywood then a little roll on bed liner. Took the opportunity to install 2-50ah batteries underneath and a 20a DCtoDC charger. I had the batteries from a different vehicle that needed the smaller footprint so I reused them. I have since arranged the fridge across the width rather than front to back, so I can recline my seat more.

 

[EXSSIVE]

What size fridge is that one? We looked at those but we're unhappy with the inability to switch the sides of the fridge and freezer.

 

[GI Grandpa]

After some deliberation we've decided that a fridge in the back seat makes the most sense for us for several reasons.

Some of which are:

Better thermal management. - Inside of the cab will remain fairly consistent with heat in the summer and a/c in the winter as well as little to no direct sunlight.

Increased security. - Fridge's are expensive. I'm not a fan of leaving one out overnight in the truck bed where it's easily accessible by both thieves and animals. In addition, some of our trips will be into bear country where an extra layer of scent and visual blocking could easily make a difference.

Ease of access. - With a rear seat delete, the fridge will be mounted lower than it would be in the bed with a slide. To my wife, this makes a pretty big difference in comfort and use. We can also more easily access controls while on the road and our power station will live in the back near the fridge if needed.

Convenience and packaging. - With the fridge in the bed we lose valuable space for larger and more awkward gear that we don't mind being exposed to the elements. It will also make it more manageable when trying to access items from in the bed as nothing will be "trapped" behind a fridge or block the slide from moving in or out.

With that being said, I'm just under 6ft tall and I'm typically a notch or two forward of the rear most seating position with a slight recline. Because of this, size of fridge is a concern as I intend to mount it behind the drivers seat long ways. Obviously this will necessitate a rear seat delete in order to make it work. The two fridges that I'm currently trying to decide between are the Setpower RV65D and the Iceco VL65.

Does anyone else have experience with a fridge mounted in such a manor with similar sizing? Or perhaps experience with either of these two fridges or recommendations of one in a similar price point ($500-$900). Dual zone is a must for my wife.

Pictures are much appreciated if anyone has any of their setup.

Thanks!

I did my own 40% seat delete because at the time, all the others require the removal of the factory storage tray, which meant stuff would slide out from under the seat on the 60% side. Or you had to remove the fridge to access the space. I also removed the tray behind the seat so that my fridge sits back a little further. I also went with the ARB Zero as the compressor sits in the front so it has better air ventilation. I keep it at 35° and it has been working great for over a year now.

 

[Flyin6]

I built my own seat delete detailed in my build threads

AEV Gladiator Rubicon
AEV Gladiator Rubicon Part 2
2022 AEV Gladiator Rubicon build | Jeep Gladiator (JT) News, Forum, Community - JeepGladiatorForum.com

We used this for the past few trips and along with the RTT and bed storage were able to stay out for days at a time.

 

[Glad Jeeper]

Like most these post. I did a 40% seat delete as well. Made my own platform. I plug a Jackery unit into the truck plug to charge while I drive. I then plug the fridge / freezer into the jackery to keed it cold when outside the jeep exploring the hiking trails and to keep it running during the evening while camping. Hasn’t failed me for the last 3 years.

 

[justbig]

What size fridge is that one? We looked at those but we're unhappy with the inability to switch the sides of the fridge and freezer.

It’s the 55 qt. Had a 75Dometic and you’re right it’s not as convenient for the freezer. However I’m still quite satisfied. Went from full size truck to the JT and the 75 was way too big. I probably could have went to the 41 qt that Bouge offers. For less than half the cost it was a concession I could work with.

 

[John in the Woods]

I’ve been running a VL65 on a 60 percent delete for the past two years. I go lengthwise if there’s a passenger. Front to back if no passenger so the front seat can be pushed forward a bit. Power is from a EcoFlow that charges off the inverter while running and solar panels (2x110W) when at camp.

I like the fridge. Temperature can be a little all over the place (usually colder than you target) and power consumption starts to spike when air temps top 90, but it’s been a good piece of gear overall. Definitely get the insulated cover for it. Protects the fridge and keep the temps a bit more steady.

There’s more about power and use in my build thread here, with a use update here.

Here’s a few pics.

 

[bd100]

For those who might be content with less, and ice chest with a bag of ice can last several days if you wrap it in a blanket. Ice is available at most gas stations. Prepare for the fun of fishing things out of ice water, though.

 

[Maximus Gladius]

After some deliberation we've decided that a fridge in the back seat makes the most sense for us for several reasons.

Some of which are:

Better thermal management. - Inside of the cab will remain fairly consistent with heat in the summer and a/c in the winter as well as little to no direct sunlight.

Increased security. - Fridge's are expensive. I'm not a fan of leaving one out overnight in the truck bed where it's easily accessible by both thieves and animals. In addition, some of our trips will be into bear country where an extra layer of scent and visual blocking could easily make a difference.

Ease of access. - With a rear seat delete, the fridge will be mounted lower than it would be in the bed with a slide. To my wife, this makes a pretty big difference in comfort and use. We can also more easily access controls while on the road and our power station will live in the back near the fridge if needed.

Convenience and packaging. - With the fridge in the bed we lose valuable space for larger and more awkward gear that we don't mind being exposed to the elements. It will also make it more manageable when trying to access items from in the bed as nothing will be "trapped" behind a fridge or block the slide from moving in or out.

With that being said, I'm just under 6ft tall and I'm typically a notch or two forward of the rear most seating position with a slight recline. Because of this, size of fridge is a concern as I intend to mount it behind the drivers seat long ways. Obviously this will necessitate a rear seat delete in order to make it work. The two fridges that I'm currently trying to decide between are the Setpower RV65D and the Iceco VL65.

Does anyone else have experience with a fridge mounted in such a manor with similar sizing? Or perhaps experience with either of these two fridges or recommendations of one in a similar price point ($500-$900). Dual zone is a must for my wife.

Pictures are much appreciated if anyone has any of their setup.

Thanks!

All great reasons you’ve listed. We went with the 60/40 split plywood floor with full storage access in the 60% side. The fridge/freezer is the 65L that fits behind the driver, front to back.
https://www.partsengine.ca/IFRIDGE65K-vp-ironman-4x4-2580.aspx

I’m 6’ and the driver seat is all the way back and I sit quite nice, no issues. The storage tray at the back wall is removed to fit the fridge. This fridge/freezer is zoned, one compartment is larger than the other so you decide which one you want as the freezer.
Before we head out, the fridge/freezer is plugged in at home to get it to temp, then moved out to the truck and is plugged in to the plug jack at the back seat. It’s switched to run in economy mode and stays at temp from there. At the site, it is either plugged in to 110 provided or can run off battery/solar.

We also have a Great Dane which takes up the 60% side.

 

[John in the Woods]

All great reasons you’ve listed. We went with the 60/40 split plywood floor with full storage access in the 60% side. The fridge/freezer is the 65L that fits behind the driver, front to back.
https://www.partsengine.ca/IFRIDGE65K-vp-ironman-4x4-2580.aspx

I’m 6’ and the driver seat is all the way back and I sit quite nice, no issues. The storage tray at the back wall is removed to fit the fridge. This fridge/freezer is zoned, one compartment is larger than the other so you decide which one you want as the freezer.
Before we head out, the fridge/freezer is plugged in at home to get it to temp, then moved out to the truck and is plugged in to the plug jack at the back seat. It’s switched to run in economy mode and stays at temp from there. At the site, it is either plugged in to 110 provided or can run off battery/solar.

We also have a Great Dane which takes up the 60% side.

Love the setup. I bet they Great Dane eats up that 60 side fast!

 

[Maximus Gladius]

Love the setup. I bet they Great Dane eats up that 60 side fast!

Haha! Yup, all 100 lbs of her. She also takes up the whole freezer with all her meat, 3 lbs a day!

 

[caryt]

My back seats are gone, found a used Goose Gear platform. ARB so I or passanger can access cold ones or food, I do need to loosen straps to access the large floor lid but its got gear in it that I hope never to need so not really a issue.

 

[justbig]

That was my first goal, after a while of looking I got impatient!

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