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Fitting a fridge

Posted: Mon, 06 Jun 2011, 11:43 am
by 3commando
Hi. I an the proud new owner of my first Portafold, and have just done a 5 day trip with her and she is great. The one thing I was wondering, was, is it possible to fit a 3 way camping fridge into the portafold? Would it be suited to be transported in the centre well, but the wall palmet get in the way, when lowered, or would it be better to modify and reluctantly cut into the existing seating fibregalss, to create a hole big enough for it to fit? Thanks, all advise greatly appreciated.

Re: Fitting a fridge

Posted: Mon, 06 Jun 2011, 12:30 pm
by Admin
Neville,

Anything is possible, but not always either an easy thing to do or a good thing to do. 3 way fridges are all too big for Portafolds really, too big for the lockers without major surgery and too big to go in the centre footwell when folding down. Steve (txfsealord) has put one is his but he had exceptional circumstances in that his Ansfold had virtually no chassis left and it had already had major surgery to the glass fibre lockers, meaning that he wasn't doing away with any of the original strength of the hull. After he'd fitted it he then had to reinforce the hull and chassis to make up for the removed GRP.

For more info check and to see how much work it is: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=78

If it was me, and you definitely need more than a refrigerated cool box, i'd put it in the awning and run the gas pipe to it there. Then you won't have to worry about the vent so much etc etc.

Re: Fitting a fridge

Posted: Tue, 07 Jun 2011, 11:21 am
by 3commando
Matthew
Thanks saw that on the forum, but I tow mine with a motorcycle, so no room in the boot, until I get to the venue. If I could find a fridge that will fit in the well, and not require any mods to the side wall pelmets, this would be first prize. All suggestions welcome. Thanks
Neville

Re: Fitting a fridge

Posted: Tue, 07 Jun 2011, 3:45 pm
by bigbird
I have to ask, what motorcycle, I've got a Harley trike, but it would struggle towing the portafold, you must have a heck of an engine in that bike!!

As for the fridge, although maybe a large one won't fit, could you adapt one of those smaller (6) beer fridges, would an inverter let you run it off a leisure battery? Or would it drain it too quickly, failing that how about a gas cool box, that would fit in one of the lockers along with the gas bottle!

All the best,

Jan

Re: Fitting a fridge

Posted: Wed, 08 Jun 2011, 7:55 am
by 3commando
Hi Jan

It is an 1800 Goldwing EML Trike, and I pulled the Porta last week with it for the first time. Steady away at 60 on the motorways and no problems in the hills in the Peak District where we were. You just have to ride a bit more cautiously, and gear down when approaching corners and junctions. The only problem was that I did not get the weight distribution quite right, so had a bit of a tail wag, so will be working on that, as well.

Re: Fitting a fridge

Posted: Wed, 08 Jun 2011, 11:09 am
by bigbird
Ahh, that explains the pulling capability!! Mine's only a standard 1340!!