We thought we would take a look at the new Kings Plus AK55. Whether you’re kitting out your first caravan or looking to upgrade your existing touring setup, the debate between “budget friendly” and “premium quality” is one we all face. Usually, you have to pick one side of the fence. But what if you didn’t?
Our sister site Unsealed 4X4 recently put this unit through its paces, and the results were surprising enough that we sat up and took notice. While the Kings brand has built its reputation on affordable, entry-level gear, this new stainless steel offering seems to be aiming for something higher. It drops the “good for the money” qualifier and aims to just be “good”, full stop.
The first thing that catches your eye is the finish. While earlier Kings models felt decidedly entry-level, the AK55 feels like it belongs in a high-end tourer or slid into the tunnel boot of a modern caravan. The 304-grade stainless steel body is tough and genuinely looks the part alongside a slide-out stainless BBQ or kitchen unit.
The fit and finish are a significant step up from what we’ve come to expect from the budget aisle. For caravanners, the removable handles are a particularly clever touch-we all know that when you’re trying to squeeze a fridge into a tight space, every millimetre counts. The heavy-duty clasps lock the lid down tight (crucial for keeping the cold in on corrugated roads), and there’s a padlock tab for extra peace of mind if you’re leaving it set up under the awning while you head to the beach.
Another feature you will love is the reversible lid. This means you can swap the opening direction to suit your specific slide-out setup, ensuring you aren’t fighting the lid just to grab a cold drink during Happy Hour.
For RV travellers and families, the dual-zone setup is the headline act here. It allows you to run two compartments independently. You can keep the drinks icy cold in one side and the salad and cheese crisp in the other, without freezing the lettuce. If you need maximum volume for a long trip, the internal divider is removable to create a single large zone.
Under the bonnet, it’s powered by a genuine **Secop BD35F compressor**. This is a big win for reliability and efficiency—Secop units are known for being robust and relatively quiet, which matters when the fridge is humming away near your sleeping quarters.
You get both Eco and Max modes, which is great for managing power. A good tip is to crank it to Max on 240V mains power at the caravan park to get it down to temp quickly, then switch to Eco when you’re running off the batteries at a free camp to sip power. Speaking of power, it features dual Anderson-style plugs (one front, one rear). This is a massive win for cable management in tight RV spaces.
Another practical touch for campers is the inclusion of dual USB ports. It sounds minor, but being able to charge phones or cameras directly from the fridge is handy when 12V sockets are at a premium in the annexe.
The Kings Plus AK55 retails at roughly $1,699. That puts it squarely in the ring with heavyweights like Dometic and MyCoolman. It’s a bold move for a brand built on budget dominance. However, it is frequently on sale (currently around $1,299).
Is it worth double the price of their standard 60L fridge? We think so. The stainless body, proper seals, genuine Secop compressor, and refined finish add up to a unit that should easily outlast the cheaper plastic options. Plus, it comes with a **5-year warranty**, which is a significant jump up from the 2-year cover on their standard range and gives you real peace of mind for those long laps of the map.
While it looks like it could survive a cyclone, there’s no official IP rating listed yet. You also need to watch your payload—that steel construction comes with a weight penalty of nearly 30kg before you even put a beer in it.
Pros:
Cons:
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| RRP | $1,699 (often on sale ~$1,300) |
| Warranty | 5 Years |
| Compressor | Genuine Secop BD35F |
| Dimensions | 740mm (L) x 435mm (W) x 565mm (H) |
| Weight (Empty) | 28.5kg |
| Construction | 304-grade Stainless Steel |
| Insulation | 85mm Polyurethane (Lid) |
| Power | 12V / 240V (Dual Anderson) + Dual USB outlets |
It’s early days, but the Kings Plus AK55 might just mark a turning point for the brand. Instead of chasing the “good for the price” crowd, they’ve built something that can genuinely stand toe-to-toe with the big brands found in most caravans. It combines rugged build quality with the practical features RVers need, like dual zones, flexible power options, and a reversible lid. The only question remains: are buyers willing to pay a premium price for a traditionally budget-orientated brand? Only time will tell if it lasts the distance, but first impressions suggest it’s a winner.
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