Things have moved on significantly since cool boxes with the latest 4×4 fridge freezers providing all the bells and whistles to keep off-road essentials like food, drink and medication cooler for longer – no matter how far from home your adventure takes you!
The rise (and rise) of the portable fridge freezer hasn’t gone unnoticed either, with many of the top 4×4 brands releasing their own refrigeration innovations. With so much to choose from, selecting the right 4×4 fridge freezer for your needs and budget is getting increasingly difficult.
To help you find the very best fridge freezer for your requirements, we’re here to share the five things to consider during the buying process.
1. Capacity
Having the space to store the supplies you need to survive and thrive off-road matters, which makes the capacity of your shortlisted fridge freezers vital. Thankfully, there is a full range of fridge freezers of varying capacities to choose from at 4×4 Works.
Our Dometic CFX3 fridge freezers for example provide up to 99 litres of cooling space for those looking to stock up for the journey ahead.
2. Durability
When it comes to off-roading, not any old accessories will do. Your gear has to be as tough as the conditions to withstand the rigours of life off-road, and this applies to your fridge freezer too. ARB is a brand that’s well known for its durable 4×4 accessories and, as Unsealed 4×4 explains, their portable fridge freezers are designed with ruggedness in mind:
“… it looks like something you would find in a trendy, architecturally designed inner city loft thanks to its blue and cream colour scheme, and rather unique latch design. ARB says looks played a very small part in the design though, as everything has been primarily engineered to handle the extreme conditions we face in Australia. Starting with a steel cabinet construction for strength, ARB fridge/freezers also incorporate steel recessed carry handles that double as tie-down-points.”
3. Capability
Your 4×4 fridge freezer’s ability to cool consistently is pretty important, yet contrary to popular belief, not all of the refrigeration gear on the market is as effective as it should be. Your fridge freezer should incorporate a reputable compressor, good quality insulation and even better-quality internal seals to ensure a high standard of cooling whatever the weather outside.
How your fridge is powered will also make a difference to its cooling capabilities and ease of use, with the ability to run the product on mains 240V and 12V the ideal formula. Many of the premium 4×4 fridge freezers we stock come equipped with active battery protection too, preventing the complete discharge of your vehicle’s battery.
4. Accessibility
Accessing all your supplies easily is a must, especially after a long day of off-roading. With this in mind, the availability of accessories for your chosen model is crucial.
Fridge slides are one such accessory that makes life easier for off-roaders. A compatible fridge slide ensures all those fantastic cooling capabilities can be accessed at the drop of a hat, with minimal time and effort required to grab the supplies you need on the go.
5. Features
The bells and whistles we mentioned earlier have turned the simple portable fridge freezer into the ultimate off-road cooling solution, so shop around for the additional features that best suit your needs. As you’ll discover, there’s lots to explore, from the next generation Bluetooth capabilities of our ARB Zero fridge freezers to the ability to cool and heat (to temperatures up to 65°C!) using our Dometic TropiCool TCX 35 coolers.
Ready to put these top tips to the test? Shop our full range of fridge freezers, slides and accessories today right here.
