The Best Fridge Size For Your Adventure Van

When designing your off-grid camper van, your fridge choice matters more than you might think. It's one of the luxuries from home that can make a big difference in both the pre-trip prep and off-grid staying power of your adventure van.

The Best Fridge Size For Your Off-Grid Camper Van: By the Numbers

At Off Highway Van, have tested and vetted the best refrigeration solutions and the best firdge size, from Isotherm, a brand known for marine-grade quality and low power draw, into our camper van kitchens.

Though they all serve the same function, not all fridges are created equal. Whether you’re chasing a minimalist weekend warrior van or planning for full-time van life, here’s how the 85L, 130L, and 200L Isotherm fridges stack up from capacity to power draw.

Refridgerator Comparison Table

Feature	85L	130L	200L
Total Capacity	85L	130L	200L
Freezer	Yes (Small)	Yes (Medium)	Yes (Large)
Power Draw	~0.7–0.9 Ah/hr	~1.0–1.4 Ah/hr	~1.6–2.0 Ah/hr
Dimensions (H x W x D)	20.8” x 18.5” x 19.9”	30.3” x 20.1” x 21.6”	50.3” x 20.4” x 21.4”
Use Case	Short trips, solos	Couples, week-long trips	Full-time living, families
Weight	~50 lbs	~57 lbs	~90 lbs

Isotherm 85L: Compact, Efficient, and Ideal for Weekend Warriors

BEST FOR

Sprinter 144 builds, solo travelers, and minimalist setups. This fridge comes standard in our Doc Holliday 144 builds.

The 85L fridge is our go-to for lightweight builds that prioritize simplicity and efficiency rather than off-grid staying power. At around 20” tall, it fits beautifully into our standard Series A™ aluminum galleys, and with a ~0.8Ah/hr average draw, it sips power—ideal for 12V systems (standard on our Basecamp trim) with moderate solar and battery capacity.

PROS

• Lightest and most power-efficient option

• Compact size works with a wide range of cabinet designs.

• Still includes a small freezer for essentials

CONS

• Limited food storage for more than 2–3 days.

• Too small for full-time or duo travel without restocking often.

Isotherm 130L: The Perfect Middle Ground

BEST FOR

Sprinter 144 or 170, couples, 4–7 day trips, or hybrid full-time use. This is our fridge of choice for most of our models and floorplans and comes standard with all Off Highway Van builds (not including Doc Holliday 144).

The 130L Isotherm drawer fridge is one of the most versatile options we install. It balances storage capacity with reasonable power draw while still maintaining a small enough footprint to fit in our standard galley. It can hold significantly more fresh produce, beverages, prepped meals, and has a much more usable drawer freezer for frozen goods.

PROS

• Big enough for two people for around a week

• Moderate footprint fits in most standard Off Highway Van gallies (except Doc Holliday 144)

• Strong balance of power use and capacity

CONS

• Taller than 85L; may limit drawer space or countertop height

• Requires a bit more battery support off-grid

Isotherm 200L: The Fridge for Full-Time Life

BEST FOR

Sprinter 170 builds, full-time vanlifers, families, or remote working setups. This is an upgrade available for all of our 170 floorplans when you option your off-grid van build with our Series A Extended Aluminum Galley.

This is the fridge you install when vanlife is more than just a hobby. With 200 liters of space, this unit includes a full-height freezer, multiple shelves, and ample door storage. It supports serious grocery hauls and multi-week off-grid adventures—especially when paired with our 48V electrical systems and 330W of solar.

PROS

• Maximum food and freezer capacity

• Ideal for long-term travel or boondocking

• Adds home-like functionality

CONS

• Large footprint—requires extended galley (only available in 170 floorplans)

• Highest power draw (~2.0Ah/hr), so best paired with 48V or robust 12V systems

• Adds weight

What the Off Highway Van Experts Say

Here’s how we typically match fridge size to build:

Weekend Warrior / Tailgaiting

Go with the 85L. It’s efficient, compact, and all you need for short stints off-grid.

Adventure Couple or Remote Work Setup

The 130L is the sweet spot. It balances capacity with flexibility in layout.

Full-Time Living or Long-Term Travel

You’ll love the 200L. It transforms your van kitchen into a truly functional, home-like space.

Final Thoughts

Fridge size is more than a number—it impacts your power system, storage layout, and how long you can stay off-grid. At Off Highway Van, we don’t just drop appliances into cabinets. We engineer each van to perform in extreme conditions and make daily life feel effortless, wherever you roam.

Want help choosing the right fridge for your OHV build? Talk to our team, and we’ll walk you through the right setup for your travel style and energy system.