Thetford launches two new compressor fridge models

The increasing trend towards end mounted fridges in panel van conversions has prompted Thetford to launch two new models with this application in mind

Words Terry Owen

T2090-E

It’s just 18 months since Thetford launched its T2000 series of highly efficient compressor fridges. It’s fair to say they’ve been a great success, with those designed specifically for panel van conversions doing particularly well. The T2090-C and its taller cousin the T2138, are fabricated to fit the roof curve of Stellantis panel vans whilst allowing the OEM to offer an easy change of fridge capacity according to market demands.

But OEMs also found that the T2090-C could be end mounted under the kitchen top, especially if they removed and relocated its control panel to provide a sensible height for the worktop above. This arrangement allows the fridge to be accessed from both inside and outside the van when the sliding door is open. Whilst the layout can work very well, it’s not something the fridge was ever designed for.

T2090-E

This change of use prompted Thetford to come up with a new version, the T2090-E, better suited to end mounting. It retains the T2090 cabinet, but comes with a remote-control panel that can be fitted using clamping or screws. This allows the fridge height to be reduced by 50 mm to 925 mm. The control panel features tactile buttons and a 1.7 metre cable to connect it to the fridge. It’s suitable for wall thicknesses from 8 to 15 mm. A range of required venting options is suggested. The climate class is a combined SN/ST for day mode or SN in night mode.

T2095

The requirement for an end mounted fridge coupled with the recent shortage of Stellantis product got Thetford’s designers interested in designing something completely new with these new requirements in mind. The alternatives to Stellantis such as Ford, MAN, Mercedes, and VW are all slightly narrower internally, potentially resulting in reduced hallway widths on conversion. The result is the T2095, an easy access drawer model with a high space efficiency and some innovative features. To offset a narrower hallway, Thetford’s T2095 is 20 mm narrower than the T2090-E at 400 mm. It’s also 17 mm lower in height, at 908 mm, to give designers more flexibility with worktop heights and thicknesses. At the same time the tactile control panel has been moved inside the cabinet to give a clean look. An internal fan ensures all areas remain evenly cool in this unusual layout.

Despite these slightly reduced dimensions, a total internal volume of 90 litres is retained. This includes a frozen food compartment of 7 litres, which is set back to allow tall objects to reside in the drawer below. When not needed the frozen food compartment can be switched off to save electricity. The cooling unit is mounted low down at the rear and sits proud of the cabinet. This maximises the space inside whilst providing space above for a sink, hob, or service pipework. Venting is via a two-way grille just above floor level in the hallway. The climate class is an impressive SN/T or SN in night mode. Although crash testing is not mandatory for motorhomes Thetford also considered what might happen to an end mounted fridge, facing the direction of travel, in the event of a frontal impact. The forces on it could be enough to cause detachment and so, with this in mind, the T2095 is supplied with two M10 bolts that allow the vehicle specific fridge chassis to be bolted to the floor. These bolts are in addition to the normal side fixing screws. The bolts are accessed via the ventilation panel making fitting and removal a doddle.

A three-point door locking mechanism ensures the contents remain inside in the event of a crash. Tests on a rig simulating a 30 kph frontal impact produced a peak loading of 9.5 G but the fridge remained firmly attached to the floor, despite having 12.5 kg of contents. As you might imagine, all this strengthening adds a little weight to the fridge but it still acquits itself nicely at just 33 kg. All Thetford fridges come with a user interface and CI-Bus connectivity. Both the new fridges are available for OEMs to fit now.