12v Overlanding Fridge Buying Guide

With so many options today, how do you select a 12v overlanding/car camping fridge that's right for you?
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[@Traillesstaken]

I love ICECO fridges I own a green VL45 and it has not been turned off in over 1 year, I kept the drinks nice and cold for coworkers when i worked at the squad when I was working as a EMT, or when I was out on the trails. Between the 12v fridges and diesel heaters just those two items alone have made life much more enjoyable while out on the trail year around.

[@rsisente]

To hell with Amazon, I am going shopping in Matt's garage. LOL

[@jkgremlin7429]

Our freezer at the house went out and we have the vl70 iceco. Set it up to freeze and saved alot of our meat. Because of your reviews is why we got an iceco. Thanks for the great content and keep it up we enjoy your videos.

[@plainairbarnettsoutdoors]

I love my dual zone Iceco. Also practical when hunting small game while exploring off road.

[@MissouriAdventures]

Just bought an APL 55 with the cart. Can’t wait to be part of the Iceco fam! Can’t wait to show up at the boat dock with an actually fridge next summer and bust out some ice cream drumsticks for everyone at the lake this summer! And of course can’t WAAAAIT for no more ice and soggy food at camp or along the trail. Gonna be a game changer. Just hope the cart lives up the rugged build of the APL 🤞🏼

[@toddshook1765]

Another KZbin video show cased the Iceco. He has APL55 and on long trip with family will put ice packs in freezer for regular cooler with drinks and switch out every day or two to save room. Freezer section comes in handy. Thanks Matt.

[@toyotatrailtrash]

Thanks again for the great content! Between yours and Oxfoot’s recommendation I pulled the trigger today on the Setpower 45L. Awesome videos! 💪🏻

[@nightfall22]

Man brother, I’m just going to say it. I’ve been a long time subscriber but rarely comment. I just wanted to say thanks… between your content and Oxfoot I pulled the trigger on the setpower pt35 for my tundra. I was looking at the 45 but that’s just greed talking. It’s just me now 35 is plenty big enough for me… at least it should be 😂😂. I couldn’t resist the Black Friday prices and just said what the hell. Keep kicking ass man. I enjoy this content. I plan on picking up the 15 or the 20 for a drink hauler as well.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Awesome!! Thanks so much!!

[@bigrockoverland]

Lots of really good information in this one. I def have a much better idea of which fridge we need for our family! Keep puttin in those hours, great work!

[@Eveloffroad]

I have the vl45pro in our Jeep and we use it on weekend trips for our food. Even if staying in an Airbnb or what not, I have not used a cooler since.

[@Onkelwillys]

Engel Fridges are the best

[@daywalker8326]

I have that 55 based upon Matt’s recommendation and I love it!

[@bluecruiser2019]

App control is a must once you have used it. Absolutely love our APL55👌😊

[@StartBuildingYourDreams]

Great Video Matt! I wish I’d had this video prior to purchasing my VL75 Pro D…This re-assures my decision to go that route. I had the same concerns with the APL-55 you showed when it comes to scratches and throwing other gear in the back. I basically ended up building out my custom bed drawers system around the fridge, because it does fill up the gladiator bed. I was also worried about being exposed to the elements…All great points for those going from a cooler to a fridge!

[@vetguy2562]

Oh Matt, yeah Bro That's a lot of Fridges 🤘😁 And it's an excellent video, seeing them all side by side is so much better than a pic from an ad, and the actual working use compared side by side 👍 Thank You 🙏

[@rhinoceros356]

I bought a APL 55 over the summer that came with a bad door seal that let's air in and creates condensation in the fridge, i have tried to get ahold of customer service several times to fix the problem but can't ever get a real person to fix the problem. I have also emailed them and they sent me a 3 inch piece of foam tape to fix the problem... I like the fridge but am disappointed in the customer service I personally have received for a $900 dollar fridge. As I said I like the construction of the fridge but in my opinion the customer support is awful...

[@__________f9433]

Always buy with a credit card, and reverse charges.

[@LiveInTheNow247]

@__________f9433 that is the safest way to buy, just call the card and tell them you want to dispute the charge because the product is defective and you already tried contacting them to solve the issue.

[@retnav92]

Just took a gander at the IceCo site, and the APL20 is currently at the Early Bird Pre-order price of $374.25. Regular price $499.00. Scheduled to ship in December (according to their site). That metal exterior is sharp 👍 Just recently bought a Setpower FC15 for day trips.

[@TheFDMotorsports]

WE love our two ICECO fridges!

[@utubetjc]

Very good review! I am an Iceco fridge fan too with a Go20, JP30 and a VL35Pro. You are correct about the recommendations for trips IMO. Thanks for doing this vid.

[@overland_dadsfl]

Welcome to Matt's ICECO Galore...🤘. For us the 35 pro is perfect. Also the new 20 is perfect for smaller vehicles and shorter trips .

[@diann546]

Glad you mentioned Iceco is the same company as Set power. Our Set power worked for 5 straight months last year. I plugged it in the other day and it will not cool or freeze at all. Compressor is still under warranty, but they said they will probably require me to mail the bad one back to them. Kind of makes it a worthless warranty. I am waiting for them to give us their offer tomorrow. We shall see. Also, the Set Power would only keep things frozen, if I set it at 9 degrees. What to do!

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Sister company. Not the same company.

[@Tsilsby]

Did Secop give you any issues with the warranty?

[@CakeBanditJr]

We have a 76qt cooler that is going on two years for a fraction of the cost of this. It holds enough food for a family of 6 (3 teens and 1 toddler) for an entire weekend. It has Bluetooth and opens both ways.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Cool. (Pun intended)

[@trailhunterusa]

Wow. This is great. Very detailed! I know what I need now! thanks!

[@runhikemike]

Thank you for the valuable information. The use cases and examples of what size fridge to use when was particularly helpful. Oh and the comment about bringing the baskets in to load them! I was thinking “there’s no way I’m carrying my new APL55 after I load it”. Yeah - I’m new to powered fridges.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ahmednesbitte4906]

Hi Matt, very nice video. I wish you, Cara and the rest of the OOA family a Happy Thanksgiving!🦃🍁

[@fscottgray9784]

I have the ecoflow dualzone that makes ice and has its own backup battery. I find the battery useful since I can take the power station elsewhere and the backup battery will keep it cold for 24 ours on its own.

[@caravann26]

You got the royal treatment! Good on you and setpower im about to buy that model😅

[@OntarioOutdoorAdventure]

Awesome video with great info pulled the trigger on a VL 75

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Nice!!

[@rgruenhaus]

A chilling subject!

[@matthewkeen3527]

I use a VL45 Pro for over a year and it gets beat up off-road but keeps on ticking. Got the new version of the cover for it recently.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Excellent!

[@caravann26]

Matts great i can actually listen to him even when he rambles there is something to gleen from it .hey somone said on that new model the chrome corners are just self tapped into the body with no female inserts is that true and have they had any durability problems?

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

I'm not sure. I haven't had any issues with mine.

[@DirtRoadDiscoveries1]

Those are some nice coolers.

[@stephenmayeske7792]

Important question. How many amps does each draw. Will they run you r battery down?

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

All 12v fridges have voltage protection so they won’t drain your battery too low. There’s 3 settings to chose from on voltage protection.

[@terrywittek3496]

How's the insulation? Once cooled for a long period of time, how long do they last without power?

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Insulation is good but too many variables to answer that.

[@ConnorLaFramboise]

Do you know if these are heavy duty enough to step on? Thinking of using the VL60 in an alucab canopy camper set up and may use this as a step to get in and out of the bed

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Definitely.

[@caravann26]

Can they actually just be used as an ice cooler if not plugged in

[@camerongeerling7474]

We use our current YETI cooler as a step to get on/off our boat and we are sick of putting ice in it. Any thoughts on if any of your electric fridges would withstand being used as a step?

[@judhardcastle7931]

The APL55 comes in silver or black. I like the black but would the silver stay cooler if in sun? Opinions?

[@tesstickles69]

Hey Matt, did you select the winner for the power supply?

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Yes. See the pinned comment on that video.

[@Kellysher]

Due to size etc, I’m looking at the Iceco JP30. Anyone have experience with that? I’m a little worried about it draining my battery. Do you unplug these if on a roadtrip and you over night in a hotel? Will it Really shut off before draining the battery? Anyone?

[@michaelpartin2684]

Got a question. So do these just plug into a cig lighter outlet? Do you need some type of inverter so you don't hurt your battery? On the larger unit you showed, how many watts of power does it require to maintain a temp....say 40 for fridge side and 32 for freezer. Thanks, this video has me wanting to pull the trigger, but I need all that info above.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Yes they plug into a 12v socket. The VL75pro uses about 65 watts of power when the compressor is running. I have a full review video of that fridge that goes into more detail about it.

[@G55-j9z]

You haven't got a clue what those fridges can do or for how long or their purpose..

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Is this a real comment? 😂😂😂🤦🏼‍♂️

[@Max-kn9yi]

Whats the best fridge If has to sit in back of a hot enclosed pickup bed??

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

The APL55 has great insulation and has done great in the back of my Gladiator.

[@Dan-bj1cz]

Hey what do you think of the Newair solar fridges.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Not impressed with Newair fridges. If you want more budget go with Setpower.

[@Tsilsby]

These are made in America, right?

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

There is no 12v fridge made in America.

[@Sandy_Seats]

that's called a hinge dampener.

[@MrCrayonkid]

Cool Ty

[@bigvitojr]

SETPOWER 55

[@jpdrummer86]

This is an iceco sponsored video 🤣

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Nothing gets past you does it? 🤷🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️😂

[@LuisRosado-x4h]

You don’t need a fridge for an overnight trip. Some of you have never been backpacking and it shows

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

No one said you do.