Outfitting your ute for the ultimate road trip? Or just need a reliable and organised mobile workspace? Canopies are every ute owner’s best friend, maximising space, practicality and convenience in a protected, well-kitted storage unit. And they can be accessorised to fit fully functional kitchens with fridges, ovens and sinks and camping necessities like water tanks, outdoor lighting and awnings.
Fridge Slide Basics
At their core, fridge slides are heavy-duty sliding trays designed to fit on a ute tray or within an enclosed canopy. They feature a durable sliding mechanism consisting of heavy-duty rails bolted to the tray or canopy floor. This gives quick access to portable fridges, with the tray extending fully out of the vehicle. Locking mechanisms prevent unwanted movement in the slide, fridge and any stored drinks or food.
While there are dozens of ute accessory manufacturers dotting the country, when it comes to custom-built and durable drop slides, most buyers choose proven products from MSA 4×4. Compared to other options, an MSA fridge slide offers unmatched convenience and functionality in a durable and easy-to-access space-saving design.
Why a Fridge Slide From MSA 4×4?
MSA has expanded fridge slide options for all outdoorsy Aussies and their utes, with the first patented drop-down slide. This provides unrestricted access to fridges, toolboxes or stored gear at a safe and convenient height. The real distinction from basic straight slides is that this lowers the fridge 30cm with a quick, simple motion. All this while keeping the tray horizontal while it’s extended out from the tailgate. And keeping storage space and protection at a maximum.
Key benefits include:
- Durable builds: High-strength powder-coated steel frames capable of holding 200 kilo fridges, stainless steel and anodised fitings, locking zinc-plated steel drawer slides with capacities of 227kg each, and anodised and recognisable blue face plates provide the durability for even the heaviest and fullest of fridges.
- Easy access and installation: The patented design, using gas struts to assist lifting and lowering, provides a simple and safe solution to accessing cold drinks on the fly. Pre-drilled holes additionally allow fitting all major portable fridge types and sizes. An MSA fridge slide also comes with all necessary tie-down straps and fittings, ensuring a secure and stable installation.
- Unmatched safety: The unique mechanism ensures the slide is stable, and there are no unwanted movements or disturbances. Once the slide is fully stretched, rest assured that the fridge won’t budge. Safety is additionally complemented with the patented lock-in, lock-out system, securing it n both the closed and fully extended position, ensuring your fridge is protected no matter the terrain.
- Improved fridge protection: With buffering and shock absorption, portable fridges remain protected at all times.
- Compact and lightweight: The compact footprint doesn’t compromise on available space. And while there’s no shortage of durable steel, overall weight is kept to a minimum.
- Lifetime warranty: You know you’re getting a quality product when manufacturers provide lifetime warranties. This dwarfs warranties for fridges slides from competing brands, with averages of 12 months to 3 years.
Compatibility with Fridges and Vehicles
Another standout feature is that MSA fridge slides are compatible with a wide range of 4×4 vehicles, including utes and 4WD station wagons. The compact size can easily fit in trays, canopies or boots. Moreover, each slide is supplied with all the necessary components that ensure a secure fit. Fridge compatibility is another key factor. The slide pairs well with major portable fridge brands, such as ARB, Dometic, Bushman and Engel, among others, with simplified access to the front and side of the fridge.
MSA drop slide models vary in tray lengths and widths, slide open and closed lengths and overall widths, meaning compatibility with fridges ranging in capacity from 40 to 200 litres. This also ensures compatibility with common fridge sizes of 60 to 100 litres from most fridge manufacturers.
Other MSA Options
Look to the powered range of fridge slides for one-touch fridge access in the MSA Power Slide range. These open and close within 7 seconds, and are powered by your vehicle’s deep-cycle battery. Built to the same high standard as regular drop-down slides, they have the same sturdy build, durable, thick-gauge steel, and safety features that make them a pleasure to use. If these are too costly, opt for MSA’s range of straight slides that come with all the features of their drop-down range, bar the simplicity and convenience of the lower fridge height.
In addition, choose powered or regular MSA fridge slides with integrated slide-out stainless steel tables for even more convenience (prepping meals, mixing cocktails, etc.) and fridge slide barriers in a glossy, black powder-coated finish for added protection against dents and scratches.
And when kitting your ute or 4WD for the ultimate outback getaway, browse MSA 4×4’s extensive options, ranging from roof racks, towing mirrors and canvas seat covers to cutlery packs and fully-featured coffee kits.
