I would advise against a fridge on the roof…
My experience with the roof rack and ladder combo as well as my frequency of fridge use is climbing up and down a ladder with A: a heavy ass fridge, B: a bunch of groceries in your hands, and C: every time you want to get a cold one would get tiresome.
When I’m out on adventure off pavement I typically open my boot up and slide my fridge out 2-3 times for lunch, snacks, and cold drinks.
If I’m at camp, the fridge gets significantly more use for cooking, and cold drinks. Often enough that I just leave my barn doors open for the duration of my afternoon and evening (weather permitting) to alleviate the boot up and shutdown of the computer each time the doors are opened.
If I were to cut and paste that experience of loading and unloading groceries in and out of the fridge along with frequency of use and plug that model into the idea of a roof mounted fridge, I’d find a better way.
Also, temperature regulation for the fridge, especially dual zone is particularly sensitive to sun exposure and thermal heating. I’m running an ARB Zero 69L dual zone internally, and still haven’t figured out the sweet spot on temps. With the phone app I’ve got 3 seperate pre-set combinations that I rotate through while on a trip depending on conditions and demand, as well as how full the fridge is. Lots of factors to consider, and not as consistent as a home fridge. Sun exposure just adds to the complexity and keeps the fridge working harder to keep the internal temp cool. You may find a fridge that is out in the sun to have warmer items on the sunny side, and if the fridge is constantly working, colder or even frozen stuff on the bottom.
I do see ARB elements fridge units left outside, and that’s great they’re weather proof, but it’s not ideal. Not to mention the dust. Care for some grit with your cheese board, and wine sir?
I’m sure a smaller single zone will fit with your Labs in the back. Or perhaps on a rear seat (but could also turn into a projectile during a crash)
Having started out with out a fridge slide, and then getting one installed a few weeks later, it’s certainly worth the investment.
All food for thought. Not sure what your budget is, or if you’re close to a cabinet builder but I’m super happy with my cabinet /fridge slide setup.
Albeit my rig wouldn’t fit a couple of dogs in the back. But you get the idea. Here’s some pics, and a video tour I popped on YT if you’re interested:
How it started:
Before the cabinet and fridge slide install… it’s a dreadful mess and a pain to access the fridge (Buried on the right side behind the blue ratchet strap)
How it’s Going:
The orientation of the fridge in the slide is now long wise, allowing for the space on the left to accommodate a drawer. There is also a rigid box around the fridge allowing for items to be stacked on top, but not interfere with the slide being pulled in and out to access the fridge.
View: https://youtu.be/_PcBR98TZCE?si=W8mPm3dvGNIbQwNo
(July in Death Valley NP)
