What is your best overlanding equipment purchase? New tires? New shocks? A shiny new winch? For me, the best overlanding purchase I’ve made in my 24 years of overlanding is a 12-volt refrigerator. Yep, you read that correctly. A 12-volt refrigerator! Roughly 15 years ago, I purchased my first one—somewhat skeptical spending around $900. Buyer’s remorse? Literally, I needed one weekend trip to conclude that the 12-volt refrigerator is ideal. Personally, it’s been my best overlanding purchase.
To many, overlanding and adventure travel involves quite a bit of gear. But, one can get confused on what one really needs for overland travel. I think that anyone can overland and adventure travel without the use of a fridge. Not having a 12-volt fridge should not deter you from exploring your world. But, if you are in the market for a fridge, I suggest you consider Dometic’s new CFX5 12-refrigerators.
Dometic has been designing and engineering equipment and gear in the camping world since 1920s and has made a recent “splash” with some solid offerings for the overlander and vehicle-based adventurer. The CFX5 line of 12-volt refrigerators is their latest offering in the overlanding market. The CFX5 is Dometic’s top of the line 12-volt refrigerator. They designed and engineered it with features that ensure that your beverages and food remain chilled during your adventures and will last for years of adventure travel.
Dometic offers CFX5 fridges in six different sizes, ranging from 23 liters to 95 liters. All CFX5 fridges are equipped with foam and vacuum insulated panels. This ensures that the set temperature stays in fact, that temperature and reduces the amount of energy needed to cool the refrigerator. CFX5 fridges include an interior cooling unit that enables all the walls of the fridge to be cooled. Also, the refrigerator’s compressor runs with dramatically less noise—a valid consideration if sleeping inside your vehicle. The digital monitor of the fridge includes a color display and an integrated 18-watt USB port for charging devices. Now, how would the CFX5 Dometic Fridge perform in the field?
My family and I packed the Land Cruiser and headed to southern Utah. Our goal was to hike the red rock canyons and bask in the warm, spring sun. I used the fridge’s Bluetooth application to monitor the temperature of the refrigerator as we passed the San Rafael Desert and Lake Powell. The fridge’s internal food baskets made it easy for my wife to get the desired food she needed as we stopped for lunch in North Wash. After lunch, I used the integrated USB port to charge my mini iPad on our way south—simple and effective. The fridge has three settings that will enable the fridge to turn off once the battery source runs low. The fridge monitors your battery’s health; and when it drops to a certain voltage, it will turn off. Noise from the fridge was unnoticeable. Actually, a few times I thought the fridge was not operating. My bad. I chose a 75-liter fridge for my family of three. This model has two separate cooling compartments; each with their own set temperature. Make one a fridge and the other a freezer? Why not? For our application, I chose both compartments to set at 39 degrees. We found the fridge to provide ample room for food and beverages for five days. Upon our return, it was simple and efficient to grab the internal baskets and bring them in the house to transfer the food to our house fridge. I easily hosed off the interior of fridge and let the water drain out through the drain plugs.
Is a 12-volt refrigerator your best overland equipment purchase? Only you can answer that question. However, a fridge makes camp life easier and more efficient. I can remain in the wilds longer and not worry about resupplying for ice or spoiled food. If you are in the market, consider Dometic’s new line of CFX5 12-volt refrigerators, and I will see you out there. Keep a cold one ready!
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Need Power?
My Land Cruiser 200 is equipped with a dual battery system. One battery is dedicated for starting the vehicle, while the other battery, the “house” battery, is dedicated to my electronics including a 12-volt refrigerator, a two-way radio, and offroad lights to name a few. Well, times have changed. The need for a dual battery system might be no more. Independent lithium batteries are the latest craze in the overlanding world. Rightly so.
Whether I like it or not, I depend on electronics to make my overlanding experiences more enjoyable and efficient. Whether it’s a 12-volt refrigerator keeping my appetizers and beer cold, an I-pad to display my mapping software, or a rechargeable headlamp, the need for battery power is evident.
Dometic offers two options for portable, lithium battery solutions. The PLB 40, which provides 40-amp hours of power through USB ports, a 12-volt port, and a specialty port to connect a 12-volt refrigerator. My wife has used this battery to power her sleep apnea machine. The 17-pound battery isn’t monstrous by any means; however, a small version would be stellar.
Dometic answered with the new PLB15—a lighter, smaller version of its big brother. The PLB15 is the size of a Nalgene water bottle and is ideal for powering tablets, phones, etc. It also includes a 12-volt port. It’s designed for camp life with a dual-function flashlight. My daughter uses it to recharge her phone overnight, while I recharge my iPad to use my mapping software. The PLB15 is easy to carry with an integrated strap; it packs into numerous places due to its sleek shape.
Yes, I know that many of us want to escape electronics and the need to recharge them; however, I think that might have already sailed. Investigate Dometic’s PLB40 and PLB15 battery options. Your electronics will thank you.
Likes
*Easy to carry and pack due to size
*PLB-15’s integrated flashlight offers a nice, warm light for camp life.
*Tough exterior protects the battery and components.
Dislikes
*Missing an integrated 110-volt converter
*The buttons and display are not backlit on PLB15, so operating at night can be cumbersome.
To Learn More About Dometic Products – CLICK HERE
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