FJ long-termer gets myCOOLMAN 47L Roamer fridge

I have had a very solid run out of my 13-year-old Evakool fridge, but sadly it just won’t fit in the back of my FJ Cruiser.

You might have read previously that I used an Esky on a run to Queensland and back, and after it leaked through my vehicle I decided I’d never travel without a fridge again. I started researching on the spot, taking measurements and seeing what would fit. So how did I decide on the myCOOLMAN 47L Roamer?

First of all, price was a leading factor, as I bought the fridge on sale for just $499 with the cover included ($300 off retail). Secondly, it would fit in the space I had allocated for a fridge. I was a little concerned the 47L would be too small, but according to the myCOOLMAN website it can carry 56 cans, so I think I will be right.

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The lid is easy to remove and is reversible, meaning you can set it up for the side you will be opening it up from in your vehicle. The seals running around the inside of the lid are really good quality too, and I rate the built-in LED light which is a handy feature.

Something else I like are the sturdy carry handles that also double as the tie-down points; you have to install yourself but it’s easy using a supplied Allen key.

"For the money, I don’t think I could have done better"

According to the digital display on my Companion lithium battery pack I have been running the fridge off at camp, when cycling it uses 40W of power. The fridge cycles every 15 minutes or so, and usually for five minutes.

By my quick calculations, that means the myCOOLMAN 47L fridge uses an average of 1.1amp per hour in best-case conditions. That’s an impressive result, but I imagine this figure will increase once the weather warms up. I also like that the fridge is 240V-compatible, so I can cool it down at home before heading away.

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One negative is that there is a fair amount of condensation that appears on the side of the fridge, which then pools at the bottom. It’s not a deal breaker, as there is a drain bung at the bottom of the fridge to let this out.

Overall, for the money, I don’t think I could have done better. I was really keen on doing what every four-wheel driver seems to be doing these days and going with an upright fridge, but for now the 47L does what I need it to do just fine; there’s something to be said about keeping things simple.

I’ll be sure to check in down the track to see how it’s holding up after a few years of use. Hopefully I don’t have to need the three-year warranty but it’s reassuring to know it is covered.

Available from: www.mycoolman.com.au
RRP: $799 (I paid $499 at Anaconda)