Freezer options for 1990 Vanagon Westy?

[matt242]

Greetings. My wife needs to be able to travel with a shoebox amount of frozen food at all times. The dry ice option isn't reliable for long trips -can't easily get it just anywhere. We're exploring getting solar panels, an auxiliary battery and a portable freezer, in the hopes that a 24/7 arrangement is possible. But I also wonder about replacing our unused built-in Dometic for a freezer only. I'd think this a popular option but can't find anything online. I'd appreciate any thoughts about the way to go here. The portable fridge/freezers are so expensive, and take up a lot of room. Might propane be an option?

Thanks.

[ZENVWDRIVER]

... in 1982 we bought a newwhite Vanagon Westy and travelled North America for about 10 months... we bought a toaster oven and a small 5" TV so as not to miss a single episode of, The Dukes of Hazard,. every Friday night.
We used and enjoyed the Westy frig, set on propane, almost exclusively... think it lasted just shy of 2 weeks between refills - instead of relying on the tiny freezer, we went shopping almost every other day and kept frozen food in the frig, for no more than 2 days and when it thawed, it would remain fresh... was small, but a great unit... Always made sure, we were well stocked with frozen food, when out in the secluded bush or back country - like in Chaco Canyon, comes to mind
i did and still do most of the cooking and cleanup... that method worked well for us.
Living and traveling in the new 1982 Vanagon was awesome... when it ran well, was the best and most comfortable vehicle, on the road...
... today, we have a 2002 Ford WestFordia - that's a Ford E-150 van with that 1982 Westy interior... is sweet with real heat, cruise, a/c and reliability.

_________________
5/50, pastel green 11G - SOLD
8/50, gray 11A Beetle
6/52, pastel green 11C - SOLD
11/4/52, black Zwitter - SOLD to my little bro.
1954 Porsche, pre A, with VW 36 horse- SOLD
1/54, black 11C Beetle - TRADED
2/55 Iceland green Beetle, on a 1965 pan
3/55 113 Beetle, stratos silver
1955 Messerschmitt KR175 - SOLD, sadly
1960 single cab
1962 SO33, with SO 42 interior
9/63 Pacific blue, Ghia
'87 Toyota MR2
'02 WestFORDia E-150, GAVE TO OUR SON

All super-heroes, wear a MASK

[PDXWesty]

Check out the Dometic CoolMatic CRX 50. It looks like the Truckfridge TF49 that many people have installed and may be a good replacement. It says it is a fridge or a freezer or both. Search for fridge replacement projects here on the Samba to get an idea of what others have done.

https://www.dometic.com/en-us/us/products/food-and...50-_-30983
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89 Westy 2.1 Auto

[jimf909]

How big of a shoebox? The TF 49 with batt. And solar panel will keep an short shoe box full of stuff below 25* for as long as there’s some sunshine most days.

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- Jim

[SSWesty]

Going DC is probably the easiest path forward. However since you asked there are propane powered freezers out there https://bensdiscountsupply.com/unique-2-2-cu-ft-ca...2-sm-grey/ Venting would be an issue with a propane option.

[danfromsyr]

it also takes alot more propane to freeze..
the poor dometic can't chill more than 40* below ambient.
so if you think a electric fridge/freezer is $$... don't think propane will save you any $$$ at all.

is this for health/medical needs or just grocery preferences...

there are small dometic units that fit between the front seats.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trk...p;_sacat=0

my brother had this dometic CF-18 between his front seats for a few years
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dometic-12v-Electric-Powered-Cooler/332625015760?epid=12018204342
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[shagginwagon83]

I love my DC fridge. Aux battery is primarily charged through the alternator. However I have a portable panel if going to be in one spot for awhile
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Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan