Featured Article from Mark Allen of Go RV Australia

Hey, mates!

We’re excited to share this article by Mark Allen of Go RV Australia entitled “Cool Runnings: Why a Dual Zone Refrigeration Unit Makes Sense While Touring” where he features the 96L myCoolman Dual Zone Fridge Freezer.

The article recounts Mark's journey from using a basic icebox during his teenage camping trips to adopting a modern, high-tech dual-zone fridge-freezer for extended remote touring. It highlights how camping refrigeration technology has evolved, paralleling his changing food and lifestyle needs.

From Icebox to First 12V Fridge

As a teenager, Mark and his friends relied on an Esky (or chilly bin/icebox) to keep their food and drinks cold during weekend trips. While effective temporarily, these coolers could only maintain lower temperatures for a few days before the ice melted.

In his early 20s (1990), preparing for a one-year trip around Australia, he upgraded to his first 12V fridge, choosing an Engel, the dominant brand at the time. This fridge, which is still in use today, provided a major upgrade in convenience, though his dietary needs remained simple—mostly meat, beer, and the occasional salad.

Transitioning to a Dual-Zone Fridge-Freezer

Thirty years later, his needs have expanded, not only due to personal preferences but also because of catering to his partner and extended remote-area travel. Recognising that a larger fridge-freezer would be essential for their converted 4x4 HiAce van, he carefully evaluated factors like power consumption, size, and configuration.

One key challenge was power consumption. Larger fridge-freezers drain more power, requiring an upgraded energy system. With advancements in lithium battery and solar technology, his setup now includes:

• 400Ah lithium battery bank

• Fixed solar panels

• A secondary solar blanket for additional charging

This setup ensures continuous operation of the fridge-freezer, preventing food spoilage and enabling reliable meal planning.

Selecting the Right Fridge-Freezer

The couple chose a 96L myCOOLMAN dual-zone fridge-freezer, which is split into 41L and 55L compartments, allowing for independent temperature control. 

Key features that influenced their decision:

• Ability to switch compartments between fridge and freezer

• Baskets for organised storage, minimising rummaging

• LED interior lights for nighttime use

• Reconfigurable doors for flexibility in setup

Their travel food strategy includes:

• Freezing homemade meals before the trip

• Using frozen meals as ice packs for hiking

• Enjoying small luxuries like ice cream on the road

• Stocking up on fresh produce from farm stalls when available

The fridge-freezer has revolutionised how they eat while traveling, offering greater meal variety, cost savings, and extended trip durations.

Mark emphasises the benefits of a well-stocked fridge-freezer, particularly for remote trips where access to food may be limited. He notes that keeping the fridge and freezer full reduces compressor cycling, saving power. Ultimately, his experience with modern refrigeration has been so transformative that he can’t imagine going back to a single-zone fridge.

For more myCoolman products, check the Everything Caravan and Camping Marketplace, the go-to place for all your camping and caravanning needs!