When you’re out on the open road, a good camping refrigerator can keep your food and drinks cold for days without consuming much of your vehicle’s fuel. You can find a variety of fridges for campers, van conversions, and trucks that come in various sizes, power options, and features.

Before you buy a fridge for your vehicle, decide how much capacity you need. Consider your vehicle’s interior size and the amount of space you have in it for a fridge, as well as the types and quantity of items you plan to store.

Then look at the different manufacturers’ models to see which ones fit your budget and lifestyle. Some are built with overlanders in mind, and others have specific features like USB ports or a removable top that makes it easy to reach your beverages. Some fridges also have a compact design to save space in your van, and some have built-in battery chargers that make it easy to connect to your solar panel.

Another factor to consider is how often you’ll use the fridge. If you’re going to be camping and using it daily, it’s a good idea to invest in a compressor model that is energy efficient and durable. If you’ll be using it on shorter trips, a thermoelectric fridge may be sufficient.

You should also think about how you’ll be cooling the fridge. For example, you can use a fan to pull warm air out of your van’s front or back window, which can help keep the fridge colder. Alternatively, you can use a vented cooler with a lid to keep the ice from melting and keep your food cool.

Many fridges have settings that allow you to set the temperature for different items, such as meat or milk. For best results, set the temperature between 35 and 38 degrees to protect your perishables. Also, be sure to pre-cool all of your food before you put it in the fridge, and make sure the fridge is in a shaded area away from sunlight.

If you’re planning to use your fridge with a solar panel, be sure the size of your panels is big enough to supply all the electricity that you need for your fridge and any other appliances you have on board. It’s also a good idea to run your fridge off the battery instead of directly from the solar panels, as this will prevent the voltage from dropping if the weather turns cloudy.

Most portable fridges are designed to work on either AC or DC power, but some can be converted to use propane for added versatility. It’s important to know which type of fridge you’ll be using with your RV or truck so that you can choose the correct accessories, such as a power cord and a propane adapter. If you have a compressor fridge that can be switched between gas and electric, it’s a good idea to get a 240-volt outlet adapter so you can plug in at powered campground sites.