The Kings upright fridge has become one of the most common fridge choices in Australian touring builds. Whether it’s mounted in a canopy, wagon drawer system, or tray setup, these fridges offer a practical upright design at an affordable price point.
With the release of the newer MKII, many tourers are wondering what’s actually changed compared to the original MKI—and whether it’s worth upgrading or choosing one over the other.
This guide breaks down the key differences between the MKI and MKII, and why upgrading the latch is essential regardless of which version you run.
Meet the Two Fridges
The newer model is the Kings 85L Stayzcool Upright Fridge Freezer MKII, while the older version is the original Kings 85L upright fridge, now considered the MKI. Both fall under the Kings Stayzcool upright fridge lineup.
At their core, both fridges share the same concept:
- 85 L upright fridge/freezer layout
- 12 V / 24 V compressor operation
- Internal freezer compartment
- Steel body construction
- Designed specifically for four-wheel drive and touring setups
Both use a genuine compressor system to provide reliable cooling performance in off-grid conditions.
But the MKII introduces some genuine refinements.
Size and Physical Differences
One of the first noticeable changes is the physical size.
MKI dimensions:
- 560 mm deep
- 475 mm wide
- 630 mm high
- Weight: 25 kg
MKII dimensions:
- 536 mm deep
- 476 mm wide
- 666 mm high
- Weight: 27 kg
The MKII is taller but slightly shallower.
What this means for touring setups
The reduced depth can make it easier to fit into tighter canopy layouts or drawer systems. However, the increased height may require slightly more clearance depending on your setup.
If you already have a canopy built around the MKI, it’s important to double-check height clearance before upgrading.
Power Consumption and Efficiency
One of the biggest operational differences between the MKI and MKII is power consumption.
MKI power draw:
- Approximately 1.5–2.0 Ah average draw
MKII power draw:
- Approximately 2.5–3.0 Ah average draw
This means the MKI is slightly more power efficient on paper.
However, the MKII includes additional cooling system improvements that help maintain more stable temperatures, especially in hot Australian conditions.
For most touring setups running dual batteries and solar, the difference is manageable. But if you’re running a smaller battery setup, the MKI may have a slight edge in efficiency.
Battery Protection – One of the Biggest MKII Upgrades
The MKII introduces a major feature not present in the MKI: built-in battery protection.
The MKII includes a 3-stage battery protection system, with selectable voltage cut-off levels to prevent flattening your battery.
The MKI relies on a basic thermostat and does not include the same advanced battery protection system.
Why this matters for touring
Battery protection helps prevent situations where your fridge drains your auxiliary battery too low to start your vehicle or power your accessories.
This is especially important for:
- Multi-day camps
- Remote touring
- Running solar setups
- Leaving the vehicle parked for extended periods
The MKII offers better protection against accidental battery drain.
Cooling System Improvements
The MKII includes an integrated cooling fan and updated digital temperature control system.
The MKI uses a simpler adjustable thermostat system.
Real-world benefit
These improvements help the MKII:
- Maintain more consistent internal temperatures
- Recover faster after opening the door
- Perform better in hot weather
This is particularly beneficial in Australian summer conditions, where canopy temperatures can become extreme.
Internal Layout and Storage
Both fridges offer:
- 85 L total capacity
- Internal freezer compartment
- Adjustable shelving
The MKII features refined internal storage, including improved door storage and adjustable shelving for better organisation.
This makes it slightly more practical for everyday use.
However, both fridges offer the same overall storage concept and usability.
Compressor and Cooling Performance
Both the MKI and MKII use a HUAYI compressor system.
This compressor is widely used in touring fridges and provides reliable cooling performance at a budget-friendly price point.
Both models are capable of:
- Maintaining fridge temperatures between 0 °C and 10 °C
- Running a small freezer compartment below freezing
In terms of raw cooling capability, both fridges perform similarly.
What Hasn’t Changed: The Door Latch Design
While the MKII introduces several improvements, one key component remains largely unchanged: the centre latch design.
The factory latch on both the MKI and MKII can become:
- Stiff to open
- Difficult to operate one-handed
- Less reliable over time
- Annoying during daily use
This becomes especially noticeable during touring, where the fridge is opened frequently throughout the day.
Why the Envious Touring Solutions Latch Upgrade Is Essential
At Envious Touring Solutions, we developed our latch upgrade specifically to address this known weak point.
Our latch upgrade replaces the factory centre latch and provides:
- Easier one-handed operation
- Improved durability on corrugations
- More solid, positive engagement
- Better long-term reliability
This upgrade significantly improves the everyday usability of both the MKI and MKII fridges.
For touring setups, this is one of the most practical upgrades you can make.
Which Fridge Should You Choose?
Both the MKI and MKII are capable touring fridges.
The MKI remains a reliable and efficient option, particularly if you already own one.
The MKII introduces useful refinements, including:
- Battery protection
- Improved cooling system
- Updated electronics
- Slightly refined internal layout
For new buyers, the MKII is the more refined version.
For existing MKI owners, upgrading isn’t essential—but improving the latch is highly recommended.
Final Verdict
The MKII builds on the proven reliability of the MKI with useful improvements that enhance usability and performance.
However, both fridges share the same fundamental latch design limitation.
Upgrading the latch transforms the usability of these fridges, making daily access easier and improving reliability for touring conditions.
Whether you’re running the original MKI or the newer MKII, upgrading the latch is one of the simplest and most effective improvements you can make to your touring setup.