MSA 4x4's Side-Side Fridge Slides Explained

Article Highlights

• Optimised for Tight Spaces: The Side-Side orientation is purpose-built for installations within canopies, wagons with restrictive rear door depth, or utes where side access is essential.

• Heavy-Duty 200kg Rating: Engineered with a massive 200kg load capacity, accommodating even the largest fully-loaded touring fridges and accessories.

• Unmatched Safety: Features a unique lock-in and lock-out safety mechanism, ensuring the slide remains secure both during travel and when fully extended.
  

In Australian touring and 4WD exploration, few accessories are as essential as a reliable fridge slide. It’s the difference between a quick, easy roadside stop and a frustrating session of climbing, stretching, and straining to reach a cold drink. 

For those who run tight canopy setups, install extensive drawer systems, or simply prefer accessing their fridge from the side of a ute or vehicle body, the traditional rear-facing slide often falls short. The MSA 4x4 Side-Side Slide is specifically engineered to address these modern 4WD fit-out challenges, offering unparalleled accessibility, safety, and rugged durability.

Let's go into what makes the Side-Side Straight Slide the smarter choice for serious adventurers.

The Necessity of Sideways Mounting in Modern Touring

The configuration of modern 4WDs, particularly dual-cab utes fitted with canopies, has shifted the focus from rear access to side access. When you have a dedicated setup—such as a deep drawer system, a water tank, or a complex power management system installed along the rear of your vehicle—mounting a fridge requires a different approach.

This is where the MSA 4x4 Side-Side Fridge Slide excels.

The term "Side-Side" refers to its orientation and operation. Instead of sliding directly out of the tailgate, it slides out of the side of the vehicle storage area, often through a wing door or side opening on a canopy. This setup is crucial for several reasons:

1. Limited Rear Depth: Many vehicles or drawer systems simply do not offer the required depth for a standard straight slide to be safely installed lengthwise. By mounting the slide sideways, you utilize the full width of the area, maximizing your storage footprint.

2. Canopy Utilisation: If you’re pulling up for a quick roadside lunch, accessing your fridge from the side of the canopy is far more practical and faster than unloading gear through the rear. The Side-Side slide places your fridge exactly where you need it—outside your workspace.

3. Ergonomics and Height: While the famous Drop Slide™ is designed to bring a fridge down to a manageable height, the Straight Slide (including the Side-Side variant) is perfect for applications where the mounting floor is already at a low or comfortable working height (such as on top of a single-stack drawer system or a ute tray floor).

The MSA 4X4 SL60SIDE - Side-Side Straight Slide is a prime example of this design philosophy, perfectly suiting popular mid-sized fridges and ensuring that even in compact spaces, access is never compromised. Similarly, the MSA 4X4 SL95SIDE - Side-Side Straight Slide caters to the largest touring fridges, proving that heavy-duty performance can still be delivered in a tight, sideways configuration.

Engineering Excellence: Why MSA 4x4 Stands Above

When tackling corrugations, steep tracks, and long-haul outback miles, your fridge slide needs to be more than just a drawer; it needs to be an integral piece of safety and convenience equipment. MSA 4x4 engineers their slides to a level of quality that is simply unmatched.

1. Unwavering Strength (200kg Rated)

The MSA 4x4 reputation for toughness is built on components like the heavy-duty slide runners. Every Side-Side model, including the popular MSA 4X4 SL50SIDE - Straight Fridge Slide, boasts an incredible 200kg load runner rating. This capacity far exceeds the weight of any single touring fridge, providing massive headroom for:

• The weight of the slide itself.

• The fully packed fridge (often over 100kg with contents).

• Dynamic forces and jolting experienced during harsh off-road driving.

This strength guarantees reliability and prevents deflection or binding, ensuring a smooth slide operation for years.

2. The Unique Lock-In Lock-Out Safety Mechanism

One of the most critical features is the proprietary lock system. The unique lock-in and lock-out mechanism ensures that your fridge is secured in two essential positions:

• Locked-In: When travelling, the slide is locked firmly in the stowed position, preventing any movement, rattles, or strain on your mounting points, even during extreme off-roading. An added key-lock feature provides extra security against theft or accidental release.

• Locked-Out: When fully extended over the side of your vehicle, the slide locks into place. This is vital for safety, preventing the heavy, loaded fridge from accidentally sliding back in, especially if the vehicle is parked on an incline or jostled.

3. Smooth, Full-Extension Access

To truly achieve “unrestricted access,” the fridge tray must clear the vehicle's opening completely. MSA 4x4 achieves this using high-quality, precision-engineered over-extension roller bearings. These bearings ensure the slide movement is smooth and effortless, and they allow the tray to travel further than its closed length. This means the majority of your fridge is accessible over the canopy lip or ute side, eliminating the need to lean awkwardly into the vehicle.

4. A Range for Every Setup

Whether your choice of fridge is a standard size or a deep model, MSA 4x4 offers a perfect fit. Voltage Electrical Supplies carries the range to ensure your touring setup is optimised:

• For Compact Storage/Smaller Fridges: The MSA 4X4 SL50SIDE - Straight Fridge Slide offers a compact footprint without sacrificing strength or accessibility.

• The All-Rounder: The MSA 4X4 SL60SIDE - Side-Side Straight Slide is a highly versatile option, balancing size and capacity for medium to large fridges.

• The Heavyweight: Need to carry a massive 95-litre fridge? The robust MSA 4X4 SL95SIDE - Side-Side Straight Slide is built to handle the biggest models on the market.

While the focus here is on the side-access solutions, MSA 4x4's dedication to quality is evident across their entire range, including the standard straight slide models like the MSA 4X4 SL45 - Straight Slide, which is ideal for traditional, low-floor rear installations. No matter your configuration, MSA 4x4 has engineered the right solution.

Conclusion

Upgrading your 4WD’s storage system with an MSA 4x4 Side-Side Fridge Slide is more than a convenience purchase; it’s an investment in safety, durability, and a dramatically improved touring experience. By addressing the specific logistical challenges of modern vehicle setups, MSA 4x4 has created a product that allows adventurers to access their supplies easily and securely, no matter how remote the destination.

Stop struggling with inconvenient fridge placement. Choose the original, engineered-for-Australia solution. Browse the full range of MSA 4x4 Side-Side Fridge Slides and other premium off-road accessories at Voltage Electrical Supplies today.

Key Takeaway

The MSA 4x4 Side-Side Fridge Slide is an essential 4WD accessory specifically engineered for sideways mounting in tight vehicle and canopy setups. Featuring a heavy-duty 200kg load rating, an advanced lock-in/lock-out safety system, and over-extension bearings for maximum accessibility, it is the most reliable and ergonomic solution for accessing your portable fridge on the side of your touring vehicle.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the difference between a standard MSA 4x4 Straight Slide (SL) and a Side-Side Straight Slide (SL_SIDE)?

The primary difference is the intended mounting orientation. A standard Straight Slide (like the SL45) is typically mounted lengthwise and slides straight out the rear of the vehicle. The Side-Side Straight Slide (e.g., SL60SIDE, SL95SIDE) is specifically designed to be mounted width-wise in the vehicle (i.e., sideways) and slides straight out a side opening (like a canopy door or wing). This design is crucial when rear depth is limited or side-bay access is preferred.

2. Can I install an MSA 4x4 Side-Side Slide myself?

Yes, MSA 4x4 slides are pre-assembled and designed for straightforward installation. They feature a flat mounting base with pre-drilled holes to accommodate most popular portable fridge brands. The slides come standard with all necessary fixings and tie-down straps. However, if you are mounting it into a custom drawer system or require electrical wiring for the fridge, professional installation may be advised.

3. What is the weight capacity of the MSA 4x4 Side-Side Fridge Slides?

All MSA 4x4 Straight and Drop Slides, including the Side-Side models, are rated with a heavy-duty 200kg slide runner rating. This exceptional capacity ensures the slide can handle the weight of even the largest fully-loaded portable fridge while easily withstanding the severe shocks and vibrations encountered during demanding off-road travel.