12V Fridges and Fridge Slides for Overlanding: Sizing, Power and Mounting
A 12V fridge is a small compressor refrigerator that runs off your vehicle's electrical system, so it holds a set temperature for days with no ice and no soggy food. Picking one comes down to four things: how many liters you need, whether you want one zone or two, how you will power it when the engine is off, and how you will mount it so you can reach it. This guide walks through each, using the ICECO, National Luna, ARB and Goose Gear gear we carry.
Short answer: For a weekend for two, a 35 to 45 liter single-zone fridge covers most people; families and week-long trips usually want 55 liters or more, often dual zone. Plan on a second battery or a portable power source if the fridge will run overnight with the engine off. Bolt it down on a slide made for that fridge's footprint, and add the matching insulated cover to cut how often the compressor runs.
Why a 12V fridge instead of a cooler?
A 12V compressor fridge works like a home refrigerator: a thermostat switches a small compressor on and off to hold the temperature you set. There is no ice taking up space, no meltwater, and you can run it as a freezer. The trade is that it needs power, and it is heavier and larger than a cooler of the same usable volume.
Most of the fridges in our fridges collection run on 12V DC from the vehicle and also take AC from a wall outlet, so you can pre-chill at home the night before. National Luna, for example, lists its Legacy Smart QC fridges as operating on 9.5 to 31.5V DC and 100 to 240V AC with automatic switching.
What size 12V fridge do I need?
Fridges are sized in liters (one liter is just over one quart). Usable space is less than the rating because most chest fridges have a step over the compressor, and baskets take room. As a rough rule of thumb, plan on about 1 to 1.5 standard 12 oz cans per liter of rated capacity. If a maker lists a can count, that number is on the product page.
| Size | Typical use | Examples we carry |
|---|---|---|
| 18 to 20 L | Day trips, a cab fridge for work, a seat delete, one person for a night or two | ICECO IPT20 (18.3 L), ICECO APL20 (20 L) |
| 35 to 45 L | A weekend for two, mid-size trucks and SUVs | ICECO VL35ProS, ICECO VL45 |
| 50 to 60 L | Families, long weekends, a week for two | ICECO APL55, ICECO VL60ProS Gen II, National Luna 50L |
| 75 L and up | Group trips, full-size beds, long stretches between towns | ICECO VL75ProD Gen II, ICECO VL90ProD Gen II |
Weight and space are the limits. The ICECO APL55 listing puts it at about 63 pounds and 29.7 x 18.9 x 19.3 inches, and the listing recommends a slide rather than lifting it in and out. The APL20, at 22.9 pounds, is easy to carry from the truck to camp. Measure the spot first, including lid swing, and leave room around the compressor vents.
Single zone or dual zone?
A single-zone fridge has one compartment set to one temperature: a fridge or a freezer, not both at once. A dual-zone fridge splits the box into two compartments with separate thermostats, so you can freeze in one and refrigerate in the other.
| Single zone | Dual zone | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Weekends, drinks and fresh food, simple setups | Longer trips, frozen meat plus fresh food, families |
| Controls | One temperature | Two independent temperatures (fridge/freezer, two fridges or two freezers) |
| Lids | One lid | One lid or separate lids per zone, depending on the model |
| Examples | ICECO VL45ProS Gen II, ICECO VL45Plus | ICECO VL45ProD Gen II, ICECO APL35 |
On ICECO's Gen II dual-zone models (VL45ProD, VL75ProD, VL90ProD), the listings note reversible, removable lids for each zone, so you open only the side you need and keep cold air in the other. The APL35 and the ICECO x Jeep APL35 put two zones in a 32-pound aluminum body, and the ICECO VL60 ships with an insulated cover in the box.
Temperature range
Check the range on the listing if you plan to run hard frozen. ICECO lists the APL20, APL55 and IPT20 at -4°F to 68°F, and most of its VL models at 0°F to 50°F. National Luna lists its 50L Legacy Smart QC at +68°F down to -11.2°F with independent controls.
How much power does a 12V fridge use?
A compressor fridge does not run all the time. It cycles: the compressor runs until the box reaches the set point, then shuts off until the temperature drifts back up. Daily draw depends on outside temperature, set point, how full it is, how often you open it, and sun exposure. The rated draw on the product page is what it pulls while running; real daily use depends on how much of the time it runs.
Ways to cut the load:
- Pre-chill at home on AC and load it with cold food, so the compressor is not doing the first big pull-down off your battery.
- Use Eco mode when parked. ICECO lists MAX and ECO modes on its Pro models: MAX for fast cooling, ECO for lower draw.
- Add an insulated cover. ICECO says its covers add insulation so the compressor cycles less.
- Keep it out of direct sun and give the compressor vents room to breathe.
- Set the battery protection. National Luna lists Low/Medium/High battery cut-out settings to protect the vehicle's battery.
Power sources: starting battery, dual battery or portable power
Running a fridge off the starting battery while driving is fine. Running it overnight off that battery is how people end up needing a jump. Low-voltage cut-outs help; a separate battery is the better answer.
| Setup | How it works | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Dual battery under the hood or in the cab | A second battery charges while you drive and runs the fridge when parked | Permanent install; see our electrical and dual-battery parts |
| Portable dual battery box | A self-contained box with the battery, charging and monitoring | Genesis Offroad Juicebox 100: Genesis says it charges while you drive and accepts solar; Group 24 battery sold separately |
| Fridge-specific battery pack | A battery made to clip onto one fridge model | ARB Zero Fridge Portable Power Pack: ARB says up to 18 hours on an ARB Zero fridge; only works with Zero fridges |
| Solar top-up | A panel and regulator keep a battery charged at camp | Devos 105 Watt Bi-Folding Solar Panel and camp power solutions |
For a deeper look at the trade-offs between a portable power station and a hard-wired second battery, read our power station vs dual battery guide. Whatever you choose, run the fridge on a properly fused circuit with wire sized for the length of the run.
Do I need a fridge slide?
For a heavy fridge, or one that lives deep in a bed or cargo area, a slide is the difference between using the fridge and climbing in after it. Buy the slide for your fridge's footprint, not just its liter rating.
| Slide | Made for | Notes from the listing |
|---|---|---|
| ICECO Mounting Slide (JPPro/VL45/APL35/VL35Pro/VL45Pro) | ICECO JPPro, VL45, APL35 incl. Jeep edition, VL35Pro, VL45Pro, JP40Pro, JP50Pro | Steel, metal rails, 3-position lock; call to confirm Gen II fit |
| ICECO Mounting Slide (APL55/VL60Pro) | ICECO APL55 and VL60Pro | Steel, 3-position lock, bolt-down |
| ICECO Side Pull Slide (VL75ProD/VL90ProD) | ICECO VL75ProD and VL90ProD | Pulls out sideways so both zones are in reach |
| Goose Gear Solo Fridge Slide, Standard | Fridges up to 16 in. wide x 28 in. deep | Mounts to Goose Gear Plate System; full extension, Lock-In/Lock-Out; 35 lb |
| Goose Gear Solo Fridge Slide, XL | Fridges up to 18 in. wide x 30 in. deep | Same design, larger tray; 35.5 lb |
| Eezi-Awn K9 Fridge Slide | Standard for fridges up to 52 L; Jumbo up to 90 L | 100% extension, push-pull lock, 2 tie-down straps; adds about 1 in. of height |
| ARB Fridge Slide for 38/47 qt Zero | ARB Zero 38 qt and 47 qt | Steel, locks open or closed, catch on either side |
Goose Gear also offers a bamboo cutting board kit for the Solo slide. If you run a Goose Gear drawer system in a 4Runner, Land Cruiser, GX or Grenadier, the Goose Gear Dometic CD30 Fridge Drawer Module comes with a Dometic CD30 drawer fridge built into the module; Goose Gear notes it needs a 12V supply and does not arrive wired for your vehicle.
Tie-downs and mounting
A loaded fridge is a heavy object in a hard stop, so strap or bolt it to something solid. Slides usually include a tie-down provision. Without a slide, use a fridge-specific bracket, such as the ARB Zero Fridge Freezer Tie Down Kit (stainless bracket, removable), or a base plate. Tie to the slide or to bed tie-down points, not to anything that flexes. For more on bed layouts, see our truck bed storage and organization guide.
Shop fridge slides and mounts →
Are insulated fridge covers worth it?
For a fridge that lives in a truck bed, a canopy or a hot cargo area, yes. A cover adds a layer of insulation, so the compressor runs less, and it keeps scuffs, dust and rain off the cabinet. ICECO makes covers for specific models, including the APL35 cover (also fits the Jeep edition), the APL55 cover with a battery pocket, and the VL60ProS upgraded cover, plus covers for the APL20, VL35ProS, VL45ProS, VL75ProD and VL90ProD. ICECO asks Gen II owners to confirm cover fit, so call us first.
Which 12V fridge should I buy?
- Smallest footprint or a cab fridge: ICECO IPT20, shaped to fit inside a pickup cab (15.3 x 11.6 x 21 in., about 30 lb).
- Light and portable: ICECO APL20 at 22.9 lb, or the dual-zone APL35 at 32 lb.
- Simple weekend fridge: ICECO VL45, which ICECO positions as its no-frills option without app control.
- Tight access or drawer builds: ICECO VL45Plus with 3-way lid access, or the National Luna 40L Dual-Zone Drawer, which has built-in drawer mounting points.
- Stainless and app control: National Luna Legacy Smart QC models, from 35 to 125 liters, with the NL Connect Bluetooth app.
- Family or long trips: ICECO VL75ProD or a 70-liter-plus National Luna, on a slide.
Building out a whole rig? See our 4Runner overland build guide and Tacoma overland build guide.
What NVMOS carries
We carry ICECO's 12V fridge lineup with its matching slides and covers, National Luna stainless fridges and drawer fridges, Goose Gear and Eezi-Awn fridge slides, ARB Zero slides and mounting, and the power gear to run them.
- ICECO APL35 Dual Zone
- ICECO VL45ProD Gen II
- ICECO VL60ProS Gen II
- National Luna 50L Legacy Smart QC
- Goose Gear Solo Fridge Slide
- Eezi-Awn K9 Fridge Slide
- Genesis Offroad Juicebox 100
Browse by category: Fridges, Refrigeration and coolers, Fridge slides and mounts, ICECO, National Luna, Goose Gear, Electrical and dual-battery, Shop by vehicle and vendor warranty policies.
Frequently asked questions
What size 12V fridge do I need for a weekend?
For two people on a weekend, a 35 to 45 liter fridge covers most trips. Go to 50 or 60 liters for a family or a longer trip, and 75 liters or more for groups or long stretches between resupply. Usable space is less than the rated liters because of the compressor step and baskets.
Is a dual-zone fridge worth it?
It is if you want frozen and fresh food in one box. A dual-zone fridge has two compartments with separate thermostats, so you can freeze in one and refrigerate in the other. If you mostly carry drinks and fresh food for a weekend, a single-zone fridge is simpler.
Can I run a 12V fridge off my starting battery?
While driving, yes. Overnight with the engine off, it can drain the starting battery. Use the fridge's low-voltage cut-out at minimum, and plan on a second battery, a portable dual battery box or a power station if the fridge will run while parked.
Do I need a fridge slide?
For a small fridge you can reach easily, not always. For a heavier fridge or one that sits deep in a bed or cargo area, a slide rolls it out to you and locks it in place for travel. Buy the slide made for your fridge's footprint, and check the listed fridge models before you order.
Do insulated fridge covers save power?
ICECO says its insulated covers add insulation so the compressor cycles less, which stretches battery life, and they protect the fridge from weather, dust and scuffs. They are made for specific models, so match the cover to your fridge.
What warranty do ICECO fridges have?
ICECO's listings state a 5-year warranty on the compressor and a 1-year warranty on the fridge. Check the product page for the model you are looking at.
Not sure what fits? Call a real person at (920) 249-7744 or send us a message, and we'll check fitment before you order.
