Reviews with attachments
The dimensions on the website were perfect, I fabricated the kitchen to suit, and the fridge fit perfectly. It came packaged well and works as expected. It is very efficient and quiet. Show details · 1
Great value and less power – Fridge is perfect size for our canopy, use minimal power and has heaps of room for all our food whilst travelling. Would highly recommend to anyone. Show details · 1
Review of Bushman DC130X 12V fridge – Purchased a Bushman DC130X directly from Bushman’s in February 2024 principally to reduce reliance on gas and to seek a more efficient cold storage. The unit arrived promptly. Unpacked, the fridge was very pleasing to the eye. Inside storage of 130 litres was ample room for my needs. Installation required the removal of a 3-way fridge. As the… Read more · 2
DC130X was shorter and narrower, I needed to pack out the sides and install a platform about 30cm above the floor. The smaller profile allowed me to also insert some supplementary foam insulation on the top and sides of the unit. The final fit was snug. It looked good! I ran a good size wire directly to the battery, joined the Anderson plugs to power up. I didn’t think it was going, then I realised how quietly it operates. Next, I’m off to Broken Hill from Albury to test it all out. I purchased a wireless thermometer that provides current temperature as well as recording the maximum and minimum temperatures inside the fridge. Over 8 days the temperature varied between 2 and 3 degrees. Fantastic – the beer certainly stayed cold. I am really impressed about how the internal shelves handle the food items. There is provision for tall bottles. The door racks are fantastic. The freezer compartment although a little small, is a fair dinkum freezer capable of keeping ice cream rock solid, a task simply beyond a typical 3-way fridge. Supplementary works included installing an extra battery. I also took the opportunity to upgrade to lithium. Reading the voltage each morning (before sunrise) I noted the lowest voltage was 13.3V. The fridge seemed to be sipping 40-50 watts during operation. Summary. A good-looking unit. Easy to install. Operates quietly. Maintains small variance in temperature. Sips power. The beer is properly cold. Far superior to 3-way units. At $1645 fantastic value. Highly recommended.
So I was able to remove larger 3 way fridge freezer 190l and install new bushman 130l and also a 3kg wmachine – Abit early really to give a review as I only got the fridge a few weeks ago, but it looks like a solid unit and works very well so far. We like the holders in the fridge and my wife was abit concerned about the size of the freezer for making enough ice for her drinks. But after using it was pleasantly surprised about how quickly it froze the ice cubes, happy wife happy life lol . So we are very happy with it in our caravan. Show details · 1
Beats fridge slides hands down – Decided to upgrade from fridge slide setup to upright. Best thing we ever did great fridge easy to install using the fridge box. Show details · 1
In-depth reviews
A great replacement fridge for our camper – After our old 110 litre Dometic fridge packed it in, I very nearly ordered a straight replacement for our camper. I’m glad I paused to do some research as the Bushman DC130X stacked up very well on reviews, quality, price, features, weight, size etc. I contacted Bushman direct just after Christmas to confirm it would fit through the door of our… Read more · 1
camper (it would by taking the fridge door off). They had one on the way to me that same day, and it arrived a few days later. $1645 including delivery.
The fridge slid into place in the camper with minimal adjustment to the cabinetry (I had to shave about 5mm off the top of the opening).
I noticed a couple of deep scratches on the Perspex crisper drawer shelf. Bushman responded to my email quickly and had a replacement shelf on the way to me within a few hours (confirming the great after sale service some other reviewers have mentioned).
I also noticed that the flap on the freezer doesn’t stay up as shown in some YouTube videos. Bushman explained to me that feature has been removed because it was causing damage when customers forgot to put the flap down before closing the fridge door. I don’t have any issue with the flap closing with gravity (I probably would have left it up and shut the door onto it sooner or later).
The included mounting frame is a bonus! However, it only covers the sides and the top edge. My fridge is mounted up high in my camper, so it left a highly visible gap across the bottom. I made a cover strip out of aluminium angle and painted it black. Matches perfectly. Perhaps Bushman might consider adding a bottom strip to the pack.
The main downside of the fridge in my particular installation is that the position of the fridge in our camper only allows the door to open 90 degrees. That means I couldn’t install the crisper drawer, the Perspex cover or the shelves! Swinging the door the other way won’t work for me either. The solution was to take the door off, install all the above and put the door back on. It’s a bit of a nuisance not being able to easily remove them for cleaning or shelf height adjustment, but I can live with it. I can get the door off in a couple of minutes if I really need to.
Best upgrade I’ve made – I was looking at upgrading the absorption fridge in my Jayco Hawk outback for a trip in WA Kimberly on the Gibb River road as they are basically useless when travelling rough roads. I decided on the Bushman DC130-X as it fit in the recess with only 5mm modification to the side cabinet, it’s an Australian owned business and the fact it has a… Read more · 1
freezer. The postage was quick and arrived in perfect condition. Installation was easy although I ran an additional 8mm stand alone circuit for the fridge to remove any risk of volt drop, straight to the batteries with a 50A breaker, no switch but an Anderson plug to the fridge (accessible via the Jayco vents) to disconnect when not in use. The DC130-X ran amazingly the whole trip, we ran it on setting 3.5 the whole time with no battery issues. It is super quiet for a compressor fridge and we were making ice for drinks any time we stopped for 2 or more nights (these were the big silicone trays from Kmart and fits 6 easily in the freezer). We’d put the water in in the morning and was frozen solid the next morning. The crisper at the bottom works a treat and is a good size, easily fits a couple of baby cos along with plenty of other fresh veg. The door fits a 2L milk bottles and 3 1.25L soft drink bottles. Also the shelves have a flip up end to store other upright bottles. Note we were travelling for 3 weeks so I ran an additional freezer for meat, frozen meals and veggies. I could not fault the DC130-X or the service from Bushman. My brother is now upgrading his camper fridge to the same!
Perfect camping fridge to keep the beer cold! – Bought this for my 2014 Swan Outback to replace the crap 3 way fridge that couldn't cut it on warmer days, or which froze things overnight. The Bushman came with everything required including the trim/frame kit to install. Installation was very easy. Have run the fridge on a few separate camping trips, all free camping, and it's been great. Have… Read more
had it set on 4 to achieve an internal temp of approx. 2 to 3 degrees, I run an Ironman fridge thermometer to monitor temps. The included ice tray works great, and is easy to use in the bush. The door seals magnetically as well as the latch which makes it feel very secure. Fridge under load was drawing around 2.9 amps after putting some warm beers in, and runs very quiet. There is a fan on the rear of the compressor which I can only hear when outside near the original fridge vent. The cycling of the fridge is good, as in the temps don't increase much before the compressor kicks back in, maintaining temps for the yeasty beverages. I recommend putting beers on the top shelf under the freezer, keeps them a couple of degrees cooler than the rest of the fridge. I run a 275 watt solar panel and 200ah batter and it puts in way more than the fridge could draw. No issues free camping.
Positive reviews
This fridge is great been using in temps upto 40 c with no problems very efficient..I also have the bushman 35 52 . Had it 7 years only turned off to defrost it . Show details · 1
The 130 ltr upright bushman fridge is bloody awesome, it's small in outside dimensions and inside is huge, heaps of shelving and storage. Once it's down to temp uses bugger all power, hold 4° like a champ, even when my internal canopy temp is 38°+ Show details · 1
Very happy with customer service, easy to purchase online, Delivered promptly within 3 day’s leading upto Easter Installation/ replacement of caravan fridge was easy using mounting kit supplied cutout width dimensions not quite accurate but an easy fix The most quiet fridge I’ve owned seriously can’t hear this running Seems efficient on batteries & holds temperature well Thanks Bushman Show details · 1
Negative reviews
Purchased 130DX and on arrival package was damaged resulting in slight damage to door. Door was promptly replaced. However, on arrival it was found to be not RH opening , as promised which was a little disappointing. Subsequently, Bushman have been in touch and responded magnificently. Most grateful as at the time I was in hospital recovering from… Read more
an operation, with a lengthy recovery period. So some good news was very welcome. Thank you Bushman, much appreciated.
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This fridge is not 130L is only 110L. Could never ever achieved Tropical Standard and is a fraudulent claim like the 130L. Is cheap crap dinosaur Chinese fridge of low quality. Freezer cannot keep things frozen in hot weather. The Kings 110L fridge is basically the identical fridge, different compressor, there is no bad compressor on the market.… Read more
Kings has full width freezer and much better internal layout. So don't get ripped off $1,685 when you can buy basically the identical fridge for around $500 from Kings 4WD. Fact is if you want to buy a cheaper substantially superior fridge the Dometic NRX has a seperate cold plate in the fridge and freezer, vacuum panel insulation, genuinely tropical rated, conservatively up to 25% lower power consumption with the new Dometic compressor and vacuum panel insulation.
Hi David, Thanks for writing a review. I'm pretty… Read more (+1 reply)
Bushman not meeting my expectations – Fridge out of Van ambient temperature setting 6 @31degrees C fridge temperature 2degree C empty with no door openings. setting 5.5 @36.8 degree C, fridge temperature3.5-degree C. Recommended setting. 3 which is not cold enough.. Show details
Hi [Name Removed], Thanks for your review. Your… Read more (+3 replies)
Recent reviews
It took a while to do this review, I wanted to use the item before I reviewed it. Now I have used it my review is:- The phone service with bushman's was excellent and very helpful. The postage was very quick and the quality of the fridge was exceptional. Now after using the fridge I am extremally with it in every way. The seven year warranty on the compressor is a big bonus. Show details · 1
Works great. But it came with the mounting brackets all bent and dents in the side of the fridge from being thrown around whilst shipping. If your spending all this money it would be better to just get it from the store so you know it’s sweet. Show details · 1
Unfortunately the fridge compressor wasn’t working properly so I contacted bushman explained that I didn’t have a receipt as the fridge came with the vehicle I purchased so they checked the serial number and said it was still under warranty and sent me a new fridge and asked to return the old one back all expenses payed. The new fridge is working… Read more · 1
perfectly I couldn’t recommend this Australian company product and service highly enough Hassle and stress free service
I've found dealing with Bushman, very satisfying. I had an issue with a dodgy courier causing some damage, and Bushman were responsive, prompt and professional. I think that the way a supplier deals with a problem says more than a seamless supply. Bushman, excelled when challenges were encountered. The fridge looks to be exactly what I'm looking for and I have complete confidence in Bushman, if anything wrong. Show details · 1
Of all the components we installed in our camper van fit out the Bushman DC-130X was by far the easiest to fit and has been working beautifully from the initial plug in to now. Fantastic product and the 130 is proving to be the perfect size fridge for two people on the road. Show details · 1
Great 12 volt fridge – Very happy with this fridge keeps everything cold on number two setting and is low power draw. Would like to see out side material made out of something less exposed to rusting. Cheers greg Show details · 1
Great Service – I replaced a 3 way fridge in my van with 130 litre Bushman. Ordered 1pm Wednesday arrived in country Vic 2pm Thursday great service. A few mods to cut out and in it went. Set fridge to 2 with in a couple of hours was at 2 degrees. I have 120amp AGM with 120 watt solar start voltage was 12.9v cloudy day lucky to have an hour of full sun. At sun… Read more · 2
down voltage was 12.9v next morning voltage 12.7v and fridge at 2 degrees. At this point I couldn't be happier great fridge and service well done Bushman's
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Love Love it – We love the new fridge it is like the one in my kitchen. Awesome 06/10/25 - Still happy and this is one good investment we have done. thank you Show details · 2
Cooling problems – Hi, our DcX130 is only cooling slightly, freezer chilled only slightly. Compressor and fan seem to be working. Condenser coil cool to the touch, compressor warm. Any idea what the issue could be? The fridge had been working non stop for over a year now without issue. Show reply
Couldn't hkiave wished for a better caravan fridge. Fits perfectly – The area I had in the van fridge was the right size. It's so cheap to run, last for at least 5 days on 2x100amp batteries. Show details · 1
An excellent company to deal with – Thoroughly recommend this awesome company. I bought my dcx130 Bushman fridge 18 months ago. It has a true 3 year warranty. After 6 months the freezer door pivot lug broke due to ice forming in the door recess. (We now defrost more regularly). Just recently at 18 months the main door broke around the top hinge. We got buy with just the door seal… Read more · 1
magnets holding the door in place. When we finally got to a city we contacted Bushman. They replied immediately sending both doors. Apparently the weakness in the main door had already been acted on and newer models have a metal brace inserted. We received the doors from interstate within just 2 days and were constantly updated on progress. Top customer service guys. I love the fridge, it is so quiet and efficient. 100% recommend Bushman products. Will never go back to a 3-way fridge. Cheers Colin.
Perfect Fridge for the 4x4 Canopy – Quality designed fridge with lots of nice features to stop your drinks from moving about when traveling. Perfect size for our 4x4 Canopy. Show details · 1
Best fridge I have owned – This is my 3rd fridge which I have had for the back of my ute and definitely the best so far, doesn't use as much power as people had told me that size fridge would. very happy with it. Show details · 1
Can’t give it a star – I’m so disappointed in this lovely looking fridge. Have a huge issue with freeze. Stupid little pin to hold door flap one has broken. It continuously freezes out and in. There is no drip tray. So water goes on produce in fridge. Wished I had never bought. I saved up for this as was recommended. I’m a pensioner. Bet you don’t allow this in review.
Hi Gypsy, Thanks for your honest review. We do… Read more
Quality Purpose Built Units – I've been building RV's and custom motorhomes for 20 years and these are my GO TO fridges every time! I have never replaced one, only fit and go! Show details · 1
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Hi Joe, My apologies for the transit damage.… Read more (+1 reply)