The portable fridge has become something of a must-have for all serious off-roaders. So much more than just a beer chiller (though they work wonders for that too, of course), these effortlessly cool 12v marvels have increased in size and power in recent years to the extent you could now comfortably store a week’s worth of food in a fridge freezer system like the ARB Zero 69.
There was once a time when the idea of powering a 12v fridge might have felt like too much of a power drain. But with variable usage which is based on ambient temperatures and how much food is in the fridge now standard, it’s becoming a much more practical option for thousands of 4×4 owners. There’s also the following benefits.
Capacity
These solutions are far more capable than your typical cool box. They have far more room for a start. Depending on the size of your vehicle you might be able to store either a few cold drinks or an entire 3-course meal multiple times over. With the variety of drawer systems and slides available for all makes and models of 4×4, you can even hide your fridge freezer system away. And then there are the various fridge freezer accessories to ensure your system not only fits but is as easy to access and secure as possible.
Keep food frozen
There’s nothing more frustrating than reaching for the cooler only to find a pool of milky melted ice and a few forlorn semi-defrosted sausages. A decent 12v camping fridge not only allows you to vary the temperature for different types of food but can even offer compartmental temperature control. This means you could have a six-pack of beer chilling in one compartment, some milk and cheese in another and then some frozen meat and ice cream in the coldest section.
Modern features
Modern 4×4 fridge freezers were not just developed from the ground up to provide durable cold storage for very bumpy rides but are also equipped with the latest technology. This means everything from anti-condensation tech and variable speed compressors to outlets that allow you to charge your phone and wireless smartphone monitoring via Bluetooth.
Explore harsh temperatures
While it’s rare to find yourself blasted by 30-degree heat in the UK (though it does happen), if you intend on taking your 4×4 out on a desert trip in Africa or the Australian outback then you’ll need something to keep you cool. These 4×4 camping fridges are built to withstand even the most extreme temperatures and you’ll always have ice-cold water or an ice pack on hand to cool you down when it all gets too much.
It’s just cool
Ultimately, there’s something pretty satisfying about pulling over on the side of a mountain, a desert dune or a rough green lane and cracking out a cold drink and cooking a hot meal from your portable fridge. It’s definitely a major purchase that will probably set you back more than even the fridge freezer in your house but it’s something that you won’t want to go without once you’ve experienced it.
