If you’re headed away for more than a weekend touring or camping in a 4X4, a fridge is non-negotiable. Keeping your food fresh and your beer ice cold out on the tracks is the ultimate luxury, but accessing that fridge—especially if it’s mounted high up in your canopy or ute tray—can be a real pain, especially if you’re on the shorter side or struggle with mobility issues. Enter the Clearview Power Slide, an electric fridge slide designed to make life on the rough stuff easier by lowering and sliding your fridge out to a more user-friendly heigh
It sounds like a dream product, but is it worth the extra weight and cost? Let’s take a closer look at the pros, cons, and who stands to benefit most from this clever piece of kit.
What Exactly Is the Clearview Power Slide?
The Clearview Power Slide is designed to allow users to quickly and easily access their fridge effortlessly. It’s motorised, heavy-duty, and caters for anyone who’s had enough of tugging at a heavy fridge perched at eye level, or who has struggled operating their manual fridge slide before.
Once installed, the Clearview Power Slide does two key things:
1. Allows the fridge to slide out of the tray or canopy.
2. Lowers the fridge by 290mm with the push of a button.
Just the same as a standard fridge slide, but with much less effort. This means no more standing on your tiptoes or digging your way so far into the fridge that you end up half inside it while trying to find the last beer.
Why Would You Want One?
Before I had properly used the Power Slide I was fairly sure it was a gimmick. However, having utilised one for months at a time, all over Australia I really can see the benefits, especially for:
● Shorter People: If you’re under six feet tall, the top of your fridge can feel like it’s in another postcode. This slide brings everything within easy reach.
● Older Travellers: If your shoulders or back have seen better days, the Power Slide eliminates the need for awkward bending or pushing.
● Families: Kids can grab their own snacks (or a beer for you) without needing a boost or toppling the fridge. Less effort for you, more independence for them.
● People with less physical strength: I have seen many people over the years struggle to push the bar that lowers the fridge down far enough, the Power Slide eliminates this issue.
The Pros:
1. Accessibility and Convenience
There’s no denying the appeal of almost-effortless operation. With a button push, the Power Slide does the heavy lifting, getting the fridge right to where you need it.
2. It’s Bloody Tough
The Power Slides all have a load rating of 180 KG and can easily stand up to the rigours of Aussie tracks, we just sent one down the Canning Stock Route with no issues!
3. Smooth and Reliable Operation
The electric mechanism is surprisingly quiet and operates without a hitch, even after weeks of dust, mud, and relentless vibration.
The Cons:
1. Weight
Let’s address the elephant in the tray. The Power Slide weighs from 29-38 KG on its own. Add your fridge and its contents, and you’re eating into your payload fast. If you’re already close to your vehicle’s GVM, this could be a dealbreaker.
2. Cost
It’s no secret that the Clearview Power Slide is pricey. Starting at around $2,000 it’s a serious investment compared to a basic manual fridge slide. That said, if it solves a problem you deal with every day, the price may be justifiable.
3. Still Somewhat Manual
Although the hardest part of the operation is taken care of for you (the up and down movement) the sliding in and out of the fridge is still manually operated.
Is It Worth It?
Here’s the thing: the Clearview Power Slide isn’t for everyone. If you’re tall, fit, and happy to manhandle your fridge in and out with a basic slide, you probably don’t need it. But for those who do—shorter travellers, older adventurers, and anyone who simply values convenience—it’s a bloody good bit of kit.
It’s the kind of product you might hesitate to buy, but once it’s installed, you’ll wonder how you lived without it. The combination of Outback durability, ease of use, and clever design makes it a standout option for anyone looking to make touring that little bit easier.
Sure, it’s heavier and more expensive than a manual slide, but for those who value comfort, accessibility, and a touch of luxury in the bush, it’s worth every dollar. If you’re the kind of person who believes in working smarter, not harder, then this bit of gear might just be the MVP of your setup.
So, is it worth the extra weight and money? If you fall into the category of people who’d benefit most, the answer is a resounding yes.
