Good question Mrtoymeister. The IceCos' are all top-loading and though you may be able to get one in the same place as the factory fridge with slides, I like a front-loading fridge for the TM. The top-loading style works great for the suburban. I used to have a front-loading absorption fridge/warmer in the suburban but didn't like it because we had to stop to use it.
@@treasurethetime2463 Yeah, pretty much. I'd get the larger one if it would fit if I wanted a top-loading one. Never really looked into them for that application.
Hi, mrtoymeister, and thanks for the question. The IceCo is a compressor fridge, and it seems to keep temperature better than the TM fridge. When it's set to 35 degrees it stays within two degrees of that on its own. We use the IceCo in the suburban for drinks, lunch, and snacks on the road as opening the TM for this though not difficult takes some extra time. When at the campsite we use it for a drink cooler and to store things that won't fit in the TM fridge. We are planning to upgrade the TM fridge to a "truck fridge" for better 12-volt performance while traveling. Thanks for watching and safe travels.
Critter,. I am looking at ordering a Trailmanor 3124. I can spec a second absorption fridge in place of a cabinet. Given your experience, and discounting cooler needs in the tow vehicle, would you get the second TM fridge or a IceCo 42 or 60 Liter fridge? I am concerned with absorption fridges reputation for not getting very cold.
Absorption fridges can get pretty cold. When we first operated ours it would freeze overnight. They need to be monitored because they are sensitive to the outside temperature. We put a thermometer and a small fan in ours to make the interior temp more consistent and so we would know what temp it actually is inside. We have had no problems with ours as long as we keep an eye on the thermometer. It does have problems when it gets very hot and it takes a while to cool down when it's first fired up. The pluses of a compressor fridge are that it isn't as susceptible to the outside temperature and keeps the internal temperature in range by itself as well as cooling down pretty quickly. They also use less electricity than the absorption ones do. If you get an IceCo, you would be buying peace of mind. That way you know the frozen would stay that way. Keep in mind you will be losing the cabinet space. Depending on how much stuff you need to keep cool a second fridge may be worth it. Given that we usually camp in the spring and fall the two TM fridges would work fine for us. If I were ordering new though and had the cash, for peace of mind after using absorption fridges for as long as I have, I would have two fridge openings plumbed for AC and DC electrical and install two truck fridges. They are hard to come by at the moment though. Weigh the pluses and minuses and you will come up with a plan that you are comfortable with.
Nice vid. I really appreciated you showing the cut off and power resume voltages.
Critter, Iceco now has this fridge in the 60 liter version. Knowing what you know now, would you get the 60 over the 42 liter for the Trailmanor
Good question Mrtoymeister. The IceCos' are all top-loading and though you may be able to get one in the same place as the factory fridge with slides, I like a front-loading fridge for the TM. The top-loading style works great for the suburban. I used to have a front-loading absorption fridge/warmer in the suburban but didn't like it because we had to stop to use it.
@@thecritterandthebutterfly I guess that answer means neither.
@@treasurethetime2463 Yeah, pretty much. I'd get the larger one if it would fit if I wanted a top-loading one. Never really looked into them for that application.
Critter,. How does this compare to the Trailmanor absorption fridge? Do you use the Iceco to supplement the TM? Or for different purposes?
Hi, mrtoymeister, and thanks for the question. The IceCo is a compressor fridge, and it seems to keep temperature better than the TM fridge. When it's set to 35 degrees it stays within two degrees of that on its own. We use the IceCo in the suburban for drinks, lunch, and snacks on the road as opening the TM for this though not difficult takes some extra time. When at the campsite we use it for a drink cooler and to store things that won't fit in the TM fridge. We are planning to upgrade the TM fridge to a "truck fridge" for better 12-volt performance while traveling. Thanks for watching and safe travels.
Critter,. I am looking at ordering a Trailmanor 3124. I can spec a second absorption fridge in place of a cabinet. Given your experience, and discounting cooler needs in the tow vehicle, would you get the second TM fridge or a IceCo 42 or 60 Liter fridge? I am concerned with absorption fridges reputation for not getting very cold.
Absorption fridges can get pretty cold. When we first operated ours it would freeze overnight. They need to be monitored because they are sensitive to the outside temperature. We put a thermometer and a small fan in ours to make the interior temp more consistent and so we would know what temp it actually is inside. We have had no problems with ours as long as we keep an eye on the thermometer. It does have problems when it gets very hot and it takes a while to cool down when it's first fired up. The pluses of a compressor fridge are that it isn't as susceptible to the outside temperature and keeps the internal temperature in range by itself as well as cooling down pretty quickly. They also use less electricity than the absorption ones do. If you get an IceCo, you would be buying peace of mind. That way you know the frozen would stay that way. Keep in mind you will be losing the cabinet space. Depending on how much stuff you need to keep cool a second fridge may be worth it. Given that we usually camp in the spring and fall the two TM fridges would work fine for us. If I were ordering new though and had the cash, for peace of mind after using absorption fridges for as long as I have, I would have two fridge openings plumbed for AC and DC electrical and install two truck fridges. They are hard to come by at the moment though. Weigh the pluses and minuses and you will come up with a plan that you are comfortable with.
@@thecritterandthebutterfly Thanks for the detailed responses. Happy camping!