Fridge Slides vs Tie-Down Kits, No-Drill Options, Wiring and Airflow
Learning how to mount a fridge in a truck bed comes down to three jobs: keep the fridge from moving, make it easy to reach, and give it steady 12V power without draining your starting battery. Get those right and your 12v fridge for truck camping trips stays cold, quiet and in one place on rough roads.
Why a Proper Truck Bed Fridge Mount Matters
A loaded portable fridge is heavy, and a truck bed is a rough place to ride. Without a solid truck bed fridge mount, the fridge can slide into the bed walls, shift under braking or bounce on washboard roads.
A good mounting setup helps you:
- Keep the fridge in place during hard stops and off-road driving.
- Reach food and drinks without climbing into the bed.
- Protect the lid, hinges and cord from impacts.
- Keep vents clear so the compressor can breathe.
Treat the mount as part of the fridge purchase, not an afterthought.
Option 1: Use a Fridge Slide for Truck Access
A fridge slide for truck use is a tray on rails that bolts to the bed floor, a platform or a drawer system. You strap the fridge to the tray and pull it out past the tailgate when you need it.
Why choose a fridge slide
- No climbing into the bed or leaning over the rail.
- Many slides lock in both the open and closed positions.
What to watch for
- Height: the slide adds height, which matters under a tonneau cover or bed cap.
- Rating: check the slide's rating in the manufacturer's specs against your loaded fridge, not just the empty fridge.
- Fit: some slides are built for one fridge brand or series.
Options at Love-Truck.com include the ARB Fridge Classic Slide, designed for ARB's Classic-series fridges, and the Front Runner Medium Load Bed Cargo Slide for a larger slide-out deck. If you want a full roll-out floor for all your cargo, see our truck bed slide guide.
Option 2: Secure It with a Fridge Tie-Down Kit
A fridge tie-down kit holds the fridge to a fixed base plate or slide with brackets and straps. It's the simplest way to stop movement if you don't need the fridge to slide out.
Tie-down kits are often model-specific. The ARB Fridge Tiedown Kit and the ARB Element 63 Qt Tie Down Kit are made for specific ARB fridges, so match the kit to your fridge model.
How to Mount a Fridge in a Truck Bed Without Drilling
Not everyone wants holes in the bed floor. You can mount a fridge without drilling in a few ways:
- Factory tie-down points: Run quality ratchet or cam straps from a tie-down kit to the bed's anchor points.
- Removable platform: Bolt the slide to a sealed plywood or aluminum board, then strap or clamp the board in place.
- Track rails: Factory or aftermarket rails give you movable anchor points.
- Drawer system: Many overland drawer systems have mounting points for a fridge slide.
Follow your fridge and slide manufacturers' instructions, and re-check strap tension after the first few miles.
How to Mount a Fridge in a Truck Bed: Options Compared
| Mount type | How it works | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fridge slide | Tray on rails bolts to bed, platform or drawers | Easy access, frequent camp stops | Added height, slide rating, fit for your fridge |
| Tie-down kit | Brackets and straps hold fridge to a base | Simple, low-profile setups | Usually model-specific; no slide-out access |
| Straps to bed anchors | Ratchet or cam straps to factory points | Occasional trips, no drilling | Strap wear, re-checking tension |
| Platform or drawer system | Fridge mounts on a raised deck or drawer top | Full overland setup | Height under covers, total cost of the build |
Truck Fridge Wiring: Powering a 12V Fridge
Mounting is only half the job. Truck fridge wiring decides whether the fridge stays cold overnight and whether your truck starts in the morning.
Power options
- Factory 12V socket: Easy, but many aren't built for a fridge running all day, and long, thin wiring can cause voltage drop.
- Dedicated wiring kit: A fused run from the battery to a socket near the fridge. The ARB Fridge Wiring Kit is one example.
- Auxiliary battery or power station: Runs the fridge with the engine off without pulling down your starting battery.
Protect your starting battery
A fridge running overnight off the starting battery can drain it. Many fridges have a low-voltage cutoff; set it according to the fridge manual. For longer trips, battery maker REDARC explains how an auxiliary battery and DC-DC charger setup can keep a fridge running.
For wire size and fuse rating, follow the fridge manufacturer's guidance or have a qualified installer do the work.
Airflow, Heat and Weather in the Truck Bed
A compressor fridge needs room to breathe. When you mount a fridge in a truck bed:
- Keep vents clear on the sides and back, with the clearance the manual recommends.
- Shade helps. Under a bed cap or tonneau, the fridge works less hard than in direct sun, as long as air can move.
- Plan for rain and dust. Not every fridge is built to sit open in the weather; check the manufacturer's guidance.
7 Things to Check Before You Mount a Fridge in Your Truck Bed
- Measure the fridge and bed: length, width, and height with the lid open.
- Check cover clearance: with a tonneau cover or cap, measure the fridge plus slide height.
- Match the mount to the fridge: many slides and tie-down kits are brand- or model-specific.
- Compare ratings: check the slide or mount rating in the specs against your loaded fridge.
- Plan the power run: fused wiring, socket location, and an aux battery for longer trips.
- Leave room for airflow: keep the vents clear on every side.
- Decide drill or no-drill: factory anchors, a platform, or bolting through the bed.
Not sure what fits your truck? Call (806) 621-1226 for a fitment check by phone.
Truck Bed Fridge Mount FAQ
Do you need a fridge slide in a truck bed?
No, but it helps. A tie-down kit or strong straps to the bed anchors will hold a fridge in place. A fridge slide adds easy access: you pull the fridge out past the tailgate instead of climbing into the bed. It's most useful if you stop and open the fridge often.
How do you secure a fridge in a truck bed without drilling?
Use the factory tie-down points with quality ratchet or cam straps, or bolt the slide to a removable platform that's strapped or clamped in place. Track rails and drawer systems also give you anchor points. Check that nothing moves under hard braking, and re-check strap tension after the first few miles.
Can a 12V fridge drain your truck battery?
Yes. A fridge running overnight off the starting battery can drain it enough to leave you stuck. Set the fridge's low-voltage cutoff according to the manual, and for longer trips use an auxiliary battery or portable power station. Follow the manufacturer's guidance on fusing and wiring.
Will a fridge fit under a tonneau cover?
It depends on your bed depth, the fridge height, and the slide or platform under it. Measure the fridge with its mount, then compare that to the clearance under your closed cover. Leave space to open the lid, either by sliding the fridge out or by opening the cover first.
Can a fridge stay in the truck bed in rain or heat?
Some fridges are built for open-bed use, and others need cover. Check your fridge manufacturer's guidance on weather and operating temperatures. Shade from a bed cap or tonneau reduces heat load, but keep the vents clear so the compressor can still move air.
Build Your Truck Your Way with Love-Truck.com
Now you know how to mount a fridge in a truck bed the right way: choose a slide or tie-down kit that fits your fridge, secure it with or without drilling, power it with fused wiring, and keep the vents clear.
At Love-Truck.com, an Authorized Keystone Automotive dealer, you'll find fridge slides, tie-down kits, wiring kits and more in The Overlander & Camping Setup collection. Call (806) 621-1226 for a fitment check by phone.
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