Gen 14 F150 Dometic Console Refrigerator

[SudS2k]

So I got the Dometic Console fridge installed in my truck and I must say, it is a true luxury to behold. I can probably count on one hand the number of vehicles that come with a fridge in the center console, so it's pretty special. A special thanks to Rineland for the advice on this fridge.

First off, the build quality is pretty amazing. They really packed a lot of tech/cooling into a very small space. While unboxing the unit, the plastic and electronics quality reminded me of older nicer Sony laptops.

Install took me longer than I expected, because I was so excited to get it installed that I got all macho and didn't use the directions much. Seemed pretty straightforward with the hole templates, and I had already watched the youtube on it. I ended up slightly cutting into a wiring harness hiding behind the front of the inside of the console (under the shifter). The hole saw poked through too far. MAKE SURE YOU USE WRAP TAPE AROUND THE HOLE SAW BIT AND ONLY DRILL 1/4". The plastic on the inside of the console is thin. I was able to repair the wiring harness, but it was a tough spot for a soldering iron.

In operation the fridge walls cool down very rapidly. I mean ice cold to the touch within 5 minutes, even some frost forming. But if you're planning to cool down a room temp can of beer in 5 minutes, this isn't going to happen. Keeping an already ice cold beer cold while you're on the road - this seems to be what this was designed for. I'm not much a beer drinker, but the fresh from my fridge sodas and carbonated waters I've put in there have been 'beer cold' at the end of my drive.

I purchased this because of my growing family and our planned long drives. It will really come in handy for keeping mama's milk fresh. I also routinely drive out to the desert for work, so having a cold drink in my truck is nice to have at the end of the day. My only criticism is that it took up my only 12v outlet (which I didn't even know I had), although I think most builds will have another 12v socket to spare.

Sponsored

 

[amschind]

As an addendum, a fridge in your truck is amazing. I went for the console vault, but I have a PB and rarely have much in back, so I just bought a $250 AC portable fridge off of Amazon. It takes up some space in the back (probably a 18"x18"x24"cuboid), but I can reach it while driving. I was really torn on the vault vs fridge, and this allowed me to do both at the cost of some space in the back.

 

[Calson]

I have been using a portable 12V 24-liter size fridge for the past 20 years and it goes behind the driver's seat of the vehicle chosen. With the F-150 power outlets for the passenger area this is very easy to hook up and power.

It cost me less than $100 and still works perfectly. I have a 110V adapter so it can be brought into a hotel room and powered off a wall outlet during the night.

 

[bkuhl]

do you know the clearance height from the fridge and the USB ports? I'm interested in doing this but would like to use something like this to relocate them to the driver side panel (near the fridge power switch)

https://www.amazon.com/BATIGE-Square-Extension-Motorcycle-Dashboard/dp/B0793GGKSS/?th=1

@Rineland do you have any input?

 

[Rineland]

do you know the clearance height from the fridge and the USB ports? I'm interested in doing this but would like to use something like this to relocate them to the driver side panel (near the fridge power switch)

https://www.amazon.com/BATIGE-Square-Extension-Motorcycle-Dashboard/dp/B0793GGKSS/?th=1

@Rineland do you have any input?

I think that might work, the factory USB ports in the console should have enough room to plug in and I think if you mount the female end on the top of the trim piece at the front, it could work out nicely. I’ll try to grab a photo and some measurements on mine today and let you know for sure.

 

[Buyer2021]

do you know the clearance height from the fridge and the USB ports? I'm interested in doing this but would like to use something like this to relocate them to the driver side panel (near the fridge power switch)

I'm not sure I understand your proposal, but FYI / FWIW this pic is from my 2022 Lariat with the Dometic Console Fridge. Your console lid may differ (?) but perhaps this is of help?

As seen below, I use the provided USB port with a shorty-cable to charge my Iphone mini, residing on its side in the slot next to my shifter. I'm still loving my Dometic Fridge, thanks to Rineland!

 

[bkuhl]

I was looking to utilize the OEM USB hub ports that the fridge covers after the install. I understand that the fridge give two additional USB-C power only ports as a replacement for convenience, Just looking for more options as we do use the USB-A port that is down there.

Sure, I could buy a new cable for the USB-A device, but trying to get a non-techy/stubborn spouse to understand they have to use a new cable is frustrating.

I might just replace the 12v outlet on the back of the console with a dual USB instead of cutting up and running it up through the Dometic plate. Not sure yet.

 

[Buyer2021]

Gotchya and now understand.

Sorry, I don't recall if anything under the Dometic cover interferes with using the OE USB ports to, for example, plug-in an extension to run from there to wherever.

FYI here's the thread about my installation, in that you'll note I deviated a bit from the Dometic instructions to retain my 'live' 12V outlet on the back of the console. No problems for me since completing that installation.

I'm sure you'll be able to accomplish what you want with a bit of thinking once you have the Dometic in-hand.

The fridge is a welcome convenience for me, absolutely no regrets, Have Fun!

 

[bkuhl]

a non-issue now. I've bribed her with a new iPhone 16 Pro MAX (when they release), and a new sparkly USB-C cable for her iPhone 12 Pro MAX

 

[bkuhl]

are there better isolators for the unit? my shift selector vibrates with the unit on. or is that one of the not-so-significant drawbacks of having the unit?

Sponsored