BougeRV Portable Fridge 

FINALLY an explanation of the difference between a 12v cooler and a MUCH cheaper cooler without a compressor. THANK YOU

Since I discovered your channel I feel grateful to have found you. Almost guilty. Lol. Your knowledge and presentation is top notch. Thank you for all you do for the community.

I have the exact same unit. Break it in on ECO mode, then never use MAX. ECO will make the compressor last longer. Years longer. Also, it wants a lot more circulation space for the grilles. 23 quarts. There is no reason you can't sneak a gallon of sealed ice in it to extend your battery an extra day. This is one of the best chest freezers for deserts because it's insulated to death.

Another excellent video. Thank you. I’ve never seen so many advances in camping tech as the last few years has brought. I just bought the BougeRV 37 quart with the wheels. I also bought a 500 watt/hour GoLabs solar generator and a 110 watt solar panel. I can hardly wait to try it out when I go camping this summer. During Black Friday, BougeRV had a promotion where you could get their 37 quart fridge for $1 (limited quantities). I had to get up at 2:00 AM to be on their Web site at 12 PST. I clicked fast enough to get one in my cart, but then paused to celebrate for just a few seconds. By the time I clicked the checkout button, the site said “You have nothing in your cart.” That still stings. I was mopey that my wife just told me to go ahead and buy one at regular price. Okay.

I just ordered the 30 quart model for use at my cabin; it is supposed to arrive today. I plan to freeze a half gallon bottle of water and use that to pre-chill my BougeRV Fridge. I have solar panels and 400 ah of battery storage, so this should work out great. Thanks for the video! - Dave

Great review as always. Heard good things about the Bouge line. I’m on my second ICECO unit. Upgraded from a 20 qt to a 35 quart model. Size was important as I needed a fridge that was 16” high, since that was the space left below my teardrops galley counter. The 12V works great. I use a Jackery or a Bluetti and find that I get endless supply by keeping my teardrop hooked to solar during the day. Basically the sun keeps the battery topped off, which is supplying the fridge. Otherwise I’ll get 35 hours if not using solar. So far I’ve been on 5 day trips and never an issue. When driving I use the car’s cigarette jack to plug the fridge directly into. I’ve also wired the teardrop to charge the Jackery while driving, so if the fridge is plugged into the Jackery, it too gets supplied directly. I have found out that in hot weather it’s possible to get a fault with these fridges if they overheat. So try to keep the vent of the fridge clear if you want to drive all the time with it on. And, check to make sure it hasn’t overheated. Brian great tip in do make sure to load the fridge with cold items before turning the fridge on. Takes a lot less time an energy for the fridge to reach ideal temps that way. In fact we freeze a couple water bottles and place them in it along with our other food. Another tip: place the items that require colder temps at the bottom of the fridge. These units tend to be warmer at the top. I’ve seen some place a small portable fan to circulate the temps better, but not tried that myself. Keep up the great work.

no trips out of the woods for ice, but definitely trips out of the woods for more beer and more food lol

We are going to get our camper soon. Thanks for this information!

Subscribed!!!!!!I have over the past couple years listened to you tube videos in order to learn about solar and off grid camping. The most popular videos tend to support the products that sponsor them. They simply don’t know what they are talking about. You on the other hand have taught me more about off grid camping than anyone in those 2 years. Thanks!!!!

Your timing is impeccable as usual! Prechilling frig and food the day before leaving along with mixing in some frozen items definitely gets you further longer. Iced drinks in a portable cooler is an essential for best beverages!

Really great, educational, articulate review - I learned a lot thank you!

Thanks Brian! For short trips (3 nights or less) I usually don't take an ice chest, but do place a container of ice in the bottom of my 12v refrigerator, so I have ice for my beverages. I keep my fridge at 34°(F). It's worked great and is one less thing I have to pack!

Your video was full of useful information about how to get to most out of the BougeRV fridge...Awesome vid.

Great video on this product, great explanation…loved it so I subscribed

I've been looking at these types of fridges for awhile now. Thanks for the video, Brian. You pretty much helped me make my decision and, funny enough, right after making my decision one of these became available for sale, in my area, on FB marketplace. Done and done!

I have a Free Solo and am so glad to hear someone say how bad the Coleman cooler was that came with it. Love your content and tiny campers. I just bought a yeti cooler for the space but haven't used it yet. Now I'm going to look into a fridge!

Thank you for the review for this! I was going between This and SetPower coolers to go in the back of my hatchback for daytrips and your review was just what i needed to hit the buy now button!

Very informative. I purchased a used nucamp yesterday when the few days before that I was on my way to purchase that little Bush Wacker . I hope they are watching you and learning. You made a difference in my buying purchase decisions. Keep the videos coming.

Great idea! Thank you

Wow, I’ve seen a few reviews on the BougeRV units lately. My wife and I will be in the market for one soon. Great info we’ll done sir!

we usually use only a good quality (Lifetime) cooler. we usually precook and freeze much of our food prior to trip. also, we freeze kirkland water bottles instead of using ice cubes. they last 5 days and don't soak everything. buying this little fridge will be great if it is able to refreeze the bottles. that will extend the time we can stay off grid. thanks for the tips!

I love your channel. I am buying a 2022 10 HD and I am putting a roof tent for the kids. I can't wait to go for my first camping trip.

I just ordered a BougeRV 37 quart on wheels, all for the same reasons you have mentioned. It’s bigger than I wanted but I needed something on wheels. I should be getting this week. Can’t wait to take it camping. I”m sure I’ll be giving mine a “two thumbs up” too.

Great Video!

Thanks for fridge ideas! I'll bite on the 30qt I think. That space for the fridge is so awkward, such a P--I-T-A to find a good one that fits in that space. Look'n forward to your slide-out vid. Thanks again!!

Awesome video! I have the same refrigerator. Thanks Brian.

I wouldn't give up my Alpicool or anything. Enjoyed the video

Great job. I've always been impressed with the BougeRV stats. I just received the 30 Quart model. And I agree with keeping a small ice cooler for drinks.

I have a differand brand but its 53qt. Always prechill everything and keep it plugged into my truck while traveling. Get to camp and plug it into my yeti1000x. these things are life savers on long camps!

We bit the bullet last year and purchased a Dometic cfx3 75dz. Omg. Game changer. No wet food and no ice runs.

I actually tested both of those same items recently...I'm returning the thermoelectric coleman. It killed my 200x goal zero very quickly. It uses alot of power. I have been testing out the same fridge and it is performing well. Thanks for the tips I run it 12v off of my goal zero 200x and have not utilized Eco mode yet. It does well and because of the dimensions fits nicely in my dodge dakota surprisingly on the floor behind my seat. I have Zero power concerns also utilizing the 12v charger for the goal zero while driving and working. I think the size, capacity, and quality of this particular unit provides a fair level of efficiency in terms of insulation and temperature control. 👍

Hi ❤Great Review, I just bought one 216.00 30qt, my plan is to pre-cool with blue ice and put large blue , Most of time…. I love your video with the refrigerators flying through the air and then something behind it appears I am actually an amateur magician. My name is the great Sudini and my shows called oops… I really shopped and I know this is the best one for me. I’m going to be car camping in California for about three months. I’m an artist and I will be doing shows on the beach so I’m thrilled with it. I don’t need anything big and I love the fact that it has a freezer in it if it didn’t have a freezer, I wouldn’t bother because simply freezing blue eyes is going to save a lot of electricity and time charging my unit anyway, I’m writing a book here so I’m gonna stop I actually am a writer to funny good to meet you

I have one...I bought their model on wheels. It's perfect for car travel and hotel rooms

I have a BougeRV 12v refrigerator as well, but I think I was overenthusiastic when I got the 53 quart model. Probably more than just two of us need. I bought it for car trips and as a backup in case the RV fridge conked out. I would love to get their 9qt travel one, but they are sold out. One thing that may be worth a follow-up video is a discussion about the Danfoss/Secop compressor. The BougeRV models do not feature this compressor, but companies like Dometic and Iceco do. Some believe the increased efficiency of the Danfoss compressor is worth the extra money. I'm sure you will have a pretty interesting take on this topic.

Awesome video Brian thanks for your insights. I'll be in the market soon. BTW, what's the sign over your right shoulder say?

Thanks for all the great info on this fridge. Would like to see how much you can fit in this size device.

Brian, another rockin video! A must with any cooler is a thermometer. One which is wireless and has 3 readouts and 2 remotes for each cooler. If you love a fresh ice cooled beverage, you should take a look at the first ever 3 in 1 IceCo 42 Qt ($560). Our favorite when remote camping is no power, no problem, just buy a bag of ice. Last year, my wife picked me up one of the Vevor 21Qt $179.00 (looks very similar to Bouges RV). For us, it gives a little more options. 1 for food the other for drinks. Or make the Vevor just set as a freezer. One other cooler I feel could be a great option is the ACOPOWER Outdoor Solar Freezer and Cooler 42 Qt $740 No DC power needed). I think this is a brilliant idea! It saves from having one more power source needed. With the removable batteries, you can have extras or just use them to power other stuff as needed. P.S. We can't wait to see the slideout video. Mark (& Teresa)

Bouge no longer lists a 23 model, seems a 9qt and 30 qt models are the smaller. Great and timely video, thx Brian. I would go this route as well, not sure theres room,

Wow. I could use a few of these. I am going to get an old camper, but then upgrade it with some things to go off grid as much as I can. I had that exact same Coleman cooler and it sucks! If I ever desire, I can hook the thing up to my truck and get the heck out of Minnesota. These and Solar power seem like a combination that his hard to beat. If only there was a microwave oven and or a stove that was efficient like these.

Brian, really enjoy your channel. Appreciate the content. Does a fridge like this need to be vented to dissipate heat? Thinking of the venting on Class B's and such with their absorption units. Subscribed, thank you!

Well Done Champ, you and your Bushwhacker are my fave. What AGM battery are you using ? Do you have a permanent roof mounted Solar Panel as well? Thank You 🙏🏾 P.S. Can’t wait to see these Kitchen Expansion Mods and your New Fridge/Freezer. I want a Bushwhacker but I think the Constant DIY energy and Mods would drive my Lady nuts. She’s more Plug & Play.

Y would you need another duel if you just have a ice chest then you can freeze more blue eyes and just keep rotating everything and you’ll never have to buy another unit but whatever you’re the expert anyway I’d be happy to hear what you think about that idea cause that’s what I’m gonna be doing. Thanks again you’re great. Hope I see you out there in Nomad land…. Thank you for your enthusiasm. I’m all excited. I’m getting my Chess tomorrow from Amazon.❤❤❤

We bought a 30 based on YT reviews. I have found that the 12v connector does not engage into sockets well. It is easily disconnected from the socket (Power Station and multiple vehicle sockets) just by tapping the sides or something jostled against it. It will pop out of the socket entirely very easily. Anyone else have the same issue? Edit: I see Charles Swank below had the same issue. I truly believe this to be a major design flaw.

Would love to know "what fits" in this fridge. Can you do a demo for a three day off grid trip?

Hey Brian! I don't know what your experience has been with that particular cig-plug has been but it looks identical to the one that came with my compressor fridge and it wouldn't stay plugged in on any road that wasn't smooth asphalt. Even looking at a mild fire road would pop that thing out it seemed no matter how much tweaking I tried. I eventually lopped mine off and installed some Anderson Power Poles back there and I was sorted. All excellent tried and true tips on RV fridge prep. You should consider writing a handbook for RVer's new and old. You certainly know all the good stuff and articulate it well with an entertaining spin. And now a riddle for you. When does the Coleman peltier cooler get "down" to 40 degrees? When you're measuring in celsius of course! Or maybe 40 fahrenheit when it's -10C outside :D I digress. Braxton should ditch that thing and throw in a rotomolded Yeti knock-off instead. It's only been a week since I traded in my BW and I already miss it. That thing was a blast! It even made me smile when I saw it parked at home. But the new bigger rig makes my wife smile [okay, I like it too] and therefore me. Shakedown trip is next week, should be fun! And soon I get to start on my overlanding project on my old truck so camping tiny will return to me soon. Happy camping!

I have nearly the same set-up. But what to do with that nearly worthless Coleman electric cooler.. At home I have electric on my back deck. I plug it in there and use it as a wine bottle cooler for summer get togethers. Or for keeping condiments cool during family picnics.

We have been using the 48qt Bouge which we have been very happy with. We are going to try taking a trip with our Rav 4 plug in as opposed to our Ram 1500 so we are interested in saving space and carrying the fridge in the trailer as opposed to the truck. Does this one work off the app? Thank you as always for all of your help and guidance it is greatly appreciated.

I am on my 2nd 30 qt (the first I sold with my camper) running off 100ah AGM charging off 7 pin supplemented with 100 watt panels and I have been very impressed. The only knock I have on this version of their fridge is the lack of tie downs. Mine was in the back of my off-road camper on multi-day, trips same spot as this, crossing passes in the Rockies and plenty of washboard roads and it never skipped a beat. But short of strapping the whole thing down, which forces you to unstrap to access while moving, has anyone come up with a good solution for a tie down system? I see their other models have handles or pass throughs... I know...sounds like a 1st world problem, but I do like to get in it while on the trail. Great stuff here!

Great video thank you! Can you tell me how many watts your modest amount of solar power is?

Great video, my wife and I just bought a ne TT with a 12 volt refer. They installed a deep cycle lead acid and I had a fairly new one (3) weekends. The old one is slightly different. Can I wire them in parallel if they are slight ly different. Neither states the Amp Hours?

I bought one 2 yrs ago it was wonderful, then it sat for about 20 months and it worked perfectly, then about a month ago the digital display went black . Numerous pleas to Bougerv havengone unanswered ?

Brian, I’m loving my Bouge. Cools great. Cools fast. Quiet. But the temp on the readout and the temp inside are about 12° off. Been a while since I looked at the manual, but is this thing supposed to be calibrated? Been a while since I read the manual, but my recollection is that it was written somewhere overseas, and I got the impression from the instructions (some of which I didn’t understand) that there was a way to calibrate. Am I off on this?

Everybody and his brother on RU-vid is doing a review on this unit. I've seen 4 others do it in the past week. Bouge is really marketing the heck outta this thing..........LOL.

Pick up my FSOG tuesday and this might be my birthday present in a few months. Does the insulated protected cover provide functional insulation when installed or no significant difference?

I have an ice maker as well. Can you use this as a dedicated ice storage unit?

Could you show inside the fridge. ty

What is the largest fridge that you have found will fit? For instance an ICECO JP30 or JP40?

Are you concerned with heated air coming from the unit and heating your kitchen area with the door closed?

Question? Will a 30qt work in the Bushwhacker with your setup for the slider? Will the door shut? Let me know what you think. Not sure what the measurement is behind the wall yet without making a hole l.

Has anyone had any luck getting the 30q to fit in a freesolo og

Has anyone installed the 30qt model in this location on a bushwhacked and if so does it fit without issue on its own. I don’t intend to use a slider with it.

That's the biggest deal to get the most out of ANY portable refrigerator, pre-chill and fill with cold/frozen food. Do not put warm stuff in and expect the portable fridge to do all the work. That's just stupid.

whats AGM for running the cooler mean?