Before a portable 12V fridge freezer rides in an open truck bed in the rain, you need to separate what the maker states about weather protection from what you still have to confirm. The Explorer Bear EX75DB/EX75DW is a 75L dual-zone unit with a stainless steel body and a weatherproof polymer coating. This guide, updated October 2026, covers the coating versus a numbered rating, where rain can reach the unit, where heat leaves it, the decision criteria, a use-case table and a Q&A.
Weatherproof Coating vs. a Numbered Rating
The EX75 has a stainless steel body and stainless steel handles. Its exterior carries a weatherproof polymer coating, which we describe as added exterior protection.
Read that as a description of the exterior finish. A numbered ingress rating, such as an IP code, is a separate item, and you should confirm one for your model before rain exposure. Reach out with the model number, EX75DB or EX75DW, to ask for it.
Where Rain Can Reach: Controls, Power Inputs and Compressor
Three groups of parts matter in wet weather. Check each one on the unit in front of you.
- LCD interface: the EX75 uses an LCD interface for temperature control. Note where it sits once the lid is closed and the unit is strapped down, and which way rain runs toward it.
- Power inputs: the EX75 takes DC 12V / 24V and AC 110–240V. Find where the cord enters the unit, and route the cord so water cannot travel along it to that point.
- LG compressor: locate the compressor housing and check what a splash from the bed floor can reach.
Where Heat Goes: Vents and Airflow in an Open Bed
Find the vents on your unit and check what sits against them: a tarp, a strap, a toolbox or the bed wall. A tarp keeps rain off the body and also covers the vents.
Confirm the clearance the unit needs around its vents before you cover it, and ask us if you cannot find the figure. Plan shade for direct sun as well. The EX75 reaches 0°F while drawing less power.
Decision Criteria for Open-Bed Use
| Criterion | What to confirm | What the EX75 gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior protection | A numbered ingress rating, not only the word weatherproof | Stainless steel body with a weatherproof polymer coating |
| Controls | Where rain can reach the LCD interface | LCD interface with temperature control |
| Power | Where the cord meets the unit and how it is routed | DC 12V / 24V and AC 110–240V |
| Compressor and vents | Clearance around the vents and what covers them | LG compressor, lowest temperature 0°F |
| Load | Whether 75L covers the trip | 75 L (79.3 qt), dual-zone fridge/freezer, up to 106 cans (12 fl oz) |
| Price | Black or white, same model line | $599.00 for EX75DB (black) and EX75DW (white) |
Use Case to Pick: Where the EX75 Fits
| Where it rides | Settle first | Fit |
|---|---|---|
| Open bed, rain on the road | Ingress rating, cord routing, vent clearance | Depends on the rating you confirm. The coating alone is a description of the exterior. |
| Open bed under a cover or cap | Vent clearance under the cover | Rain exposure drops, so vent clearance becomes the main check. |
| Cab or enclosed cargo area | Cord routing from the vehicle's DC supply | Generally the lighter set of checks, with the exterior coating as added protection. |
In each case the pick is the same unit, in black (EX75DB) or white (EX75DW). Only the checks change.
Questions on Rain and Heat
What does weatherproof mean for the EX75?
We describe the exterior as a weatherproof polymer coating over a stainless steel body, added for exterior protection. For rain exposure, confirm a numbered ingress rating for your model.
Can I run it from the truck while it rides in the bed?
The EX75 accepts DC 12V / 24V input, and it also accepts AC 110–240V. In an open bed, confirm where the cord enters the unit and how it is routed.
Does the coating cover the vents and controls?
The coating is stated for the exterior. Whether it extends to the vents, the LCD interface or the power inputs is a question to put to us, with your model number.
What should I check about heat in a truck bed?
Check vent clearance, check what covers the unit, and plan shade for direct sun.
Final Thoughts on Open-Bed Fit
The deciding variable is a numbered ingress rating, because a coating describes the finish and a rating is a figure you can confirm. Once you have confirmed one and kept the vents clear, the EX75 is generally a reasonable fit for a bed that sees rain. To go further, explore the Explorer Bear EX75DB/EX75DW Portable Dual Zone Electric Fridge Freezer and compare its power inputs against your truck's outlet.
