We all recognise the challenge…

A camping fridge is a must-have, but they occupy a lot of packing space, you need to keep items clear of their access, and getting one to fit through a canopy opening or under an SUV’s rear door can be a problem if the fridge is mounted on top of a drawer system.

Till now, the solution has been to access the fridge via a gullwing or canopy side door. Alternatively, purchase a drop-down fridge slide that either tilts (where you can’t fully see inside the fridge) or levers downwards but comes at a premium price.

Regardless, the fridge still occupies space above the drawers, and you still need to pack so that nothing interferes with its access and operation.

Above: A drawer fridge eliminates the need for a drop-down fridge slide, making it easier to access the fridge – even for kids.

ENTER: THE DRAWER FRIDGE

The solution to these issues (and more) is surprisingly simple, and it’s hard to believe it isn’t already a mainstream concept.

The big hurdle has always been the compressor. Because 12V fridges typically have their power unit mounted in the bottom half of the fridge’s housing, the overall height of the unit prohibits most fridges from being incorporated inside a drawer system.

With that in mind, National Luna reengineered their current fridge design so that the compressor, fan, and much of the internal pipework are mounted in an external frame on the far side of the fridge. They then moved away from their usual control panel location and mounted the faceplate in the front.

Above: The drawer fridge is available in two sizes, a 40-litre (left) and 60-litre (right).

THE RESULT?

A super low-profile drawer fridge that can either “drop” into an existing drawer system or be integrated into a custom setup.

Commercial drawer manufacturers – like Bushtech – are already incorporating the new fridge into their product offering and are due to launch an “off-the-shelf” solution that can accommodate the new drawer fridge.

Control Panel: The drawer fridge is available in single or dual control and can be powered by 12V DC, 24V DC and 220V AC. External frame: The compressor’s external frame provides a convenient place to unpack things without needing extra hands. Compartments: The drawer fridge’s packing space is arguably more convenient without the intrusion of an internal step, typically caused by a compressor. Baskets: The packing arrangement includes one deep basket and two shallow ones on the fridge side of the unit.

AVAILABLE DRAWER FRIDGE OPTIONS

For now, the fridges are available in four options:

Above: The unit featured here is a prototype 60-litre dual-control, which may see slight changes in the final design. Additionally, the lid can be hinged on either side, allowing you to mount the fridge on the left or right-hand side of your vehicle.

The drawer-fridge concept becomes even more intriguing when considering that two units can be mounted side by side, offering anywhere between 80 and 120 litres of combined easy-access fridge/freezer volume. It will also be interesting to see what off-road trailer manufacturers do with the concept.

CUSTOM SETUP

Being in the market for a drawer system, I was about to pull the trigger on a popular commercial option when I caught wind of National Luna’s new prototype fridge. I immediately asked if I could see drawings of the unit, and as soon as I understood its benefits, I knew that a custom storage system was what I was looking for. I just had to convince National Luna to lend me their 60-litre prototype and find a custom drawer manufacturer willing to tackle the job.

Above: RockShockerz designed the drawer system around the fridge, which includes two vertically mounted drawers, a small slide-out table, and fold-up side panels to house the DC-DC charger and lithium battery – not pictured here.

Fortunately, South Africa has no shortage of highly skilled custom builders. After seeing the drawers RockShockerz (Paarl) built for my mate’s Ranger double-cab, I was keen to have them design a storage system around the new fridge. (Tip: Check out the custom drawers made by Overland Bros if you’re in the JHB area)

Ultimately, the custom setup didn’t cost more than a commercial option. However, it’s precisely what I had in mind, particularly regarding dual vertical drawers and integrating the new fridge.   

I have little doubt the drawer-fridge concept will succeed in the market, particularly if it can drop into an off-the-shelf drawer system slightly deeper than usual. The question is, which commercial drawer manufacturer will first accommodate the concept and get a head start in the market?

Rest assured, we’ll update you when that happens, so join our mailing list here to stay tuned, or fill in the form below.