National Luna Fridges

[Jon Burrell - Tentworld]

Hi Swaggers, 

Just a quick heads up to you to let you know that we've become National Luna dealers.  We have received our first shipment of National Luna fridges! 

All stores now have the most popular National Luna 60L Dual Thermostat Stainless Steel Fridge in-stock & on display for you to examine. 

https://www.tentworld.com.au/buy-sale/national-luna-60l-fridge-dual-thermostat-stainless-steel



National Luna have a wide range of fridge sizes available in dual zone, as well as single zone from as small as 40L up to 110L

You can view their entire range here:  https://www.tentworld.com.au/national-luna-fridges/

I know before we started talking to National Luna, I had not been able to put my eyes on a newer model unit for some time but have seen many older units in customers cars over the years. 

Needless to say when I saw their new models in the flesh, and their build quality.  I was impressed, and believe that you will be too (or I wouldnt have bought so many!!). 

How many National Luna fridge owners are there in this forum?  Any feedback for us? 

Looking forward to hearing from you & hearing your feedback on them.

Cheers,

Jon

[BaseCamp]

Hey Jon,
We are very happy with our NL 90ltr twin tub...
Have had one for approx 5+ years.
Its good features include:
--  Very low power consumption.
--  Proper fridge freezer speration.
--  Duel temp controls.
--  S/S shell...
Negatives:
-- Higher initial spend to get one...

It is used exclusively to support our off grid caravaning....    (OG for approx 5 day stints).    No worries about battery delpletion ...

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[Poita]

They are my dream fridge! Very nice units, just gotta wait till my Evakool dies (not likely any time soon) and buy some pain killers for the price. I will get one, one day!

[AdrianLR]

Very happy with our 90l twin in the Kavango.

Long but interesting video about how they're made:

https://youtu.be/9mgcgNCoOuU

[Jon Burrell - Tentworld]

Thanks Adrian, I did find that video ages ago when we first started discussing becoming National Luna dealers but then couldnt find it!  It is a great video and excellent to see that just about every component is made in house at National Luna. 

[Jon Burrell - Tentworld]

Rachel a team member from our Tweed Heads store chose to do her video on the National Luna 60L Dual Thermostat fridge. 

It gives a nice overview of the fridge and some of its features.  Let me know what you think.    https://youtu.be/bq3uefXQPPk

[Spada]

There has been a long running discussion about the 90l twins over on the Conqueror forum with a bad batch of copper being the cause of internal gas leaks. Seems to have only affected units manufactured around 2014'ish, but they've had over 25 recorded failures. https://www.conquerorforum.com/post/national-luna-90lt-fridge-has-packed-it-in-7906621?&trail=195

Depending on which service agent they were returned to some owners had to push a bit, but to their credit National Luna appear to have replaced them all (eventually), regardless of weather they were still in warranty or not the original buyers. I had a faultless run out of mine during the time I owned it (it went with the conqueror when I sold it  ) It worked brilliantly, and seemed to suck about half the power of the 60l Engle I had. Wish I could fit one in our new camper.

[boobook]

John, they are a great fridge, that's for sure. I have had the 73l dual for 11 years and love it.

I'm tempted to get the 90l which has the same external dimensions, but when I calculate the volume from their dimensions on the website, it's only 86,5 litres and the baskets are the same size as the 72l fridge.

Do you stock the 90l in Melbourne? I'd like to see it to see if it is worth paying the money for what could be 10l or less more capacity. I almost hope my old one will die but it won't.

Also, you should get onto Dolium's back about the pricing. It *retails* for half the price in South Africa, and is often 10% less on sale. I know we have tax and freight but sheez they are making a healthy margin.

[Jon Burrell - Tentworld]

It worked brilliantly, and seemed to suck about half the power of the 60l Engle I had. Wish I could fit one in our new camper.

What is the space you're working with?  Maybe there is a model that will fit ? Happy to take a look!      

There has been a long running discussion about the 90l twins over on the Conqueror forum with a bad batch of copper being the cause of internal gas leaks. Seems to have only affected units manufactured around 2014'ish, but they've had over 25 recorded failures. https://www.conquerorforum.com/post/national-luna-90lt-fridge-has-packed-it-in-7906621?&trail=195

Thanks! Yeah I did come across that one too when I was researching National Luna myself before agreeing to becoming a dealer. 

I agree it is disappointing to have such a batch issue.   

But overall, in my opinion Dolium (Australian National Luna distributors) were handling it well mostly.

It seems in most cases the issue was resolved without the retailer becoming involved and pushing it along.  (This is something we occasionally have to do when we see warranty applications going pear shaped.  This is always followed by a complaint to the brand to pick their act up.) 

Agreed - Some could have been smoother, but it appears the right solution was ultimately reached. I think the longest I found was 6 weeks. 

FYI - Dolium - National Luna Distributors in Australia are now owned by AMA Group . 

When I asked them about this issue, they were totally aware of it and were actively taking care of the problems as they arise. 

AMA Group / Dolium, are very passionate about seeing National Luna being recognised as being the premium performance fridge in Australia. 

These new owners with their financial backing & drive to grow the brand in Australia I think are the right fit for National Luna. 

This is why we decided to become dealers.  We have confidence in the product, and that AMA Group will do the right thing by our customers should something go wrong. 

If you're a sicko like me, you can read their financials here:
https://amagroupltd.com/investor-centre/financial-reports/

You can see their share price updates here.  Stock code AMA.
https://www.asx.com.au/asx/share-price-research/company/AMA

[Jon Burrell - Tentworld]

John, they are a great fridge, that's for sure. I have had the 73l dual for 11 years and love it.

That's awesome feedback thank you! 

I'm tempted to get the 90l which has the same external dimensions, but when I calculate the volume from their dimensions on the website, it's only 86,5 litres and the baskets are the same size as the 72l fridge.

Do you stock the 90l in Melbourne? I'd like to see it to see if it is worth paying the money for what could be 10l or less more capacity. I almost hope my old one will die but it won't.

Thats interesting feedback regarding the 90L - I will reach out to National Luna and ask them about this & report back to you.  Something seems wrong here.

Sadly, we only stock the one size currently the 60L Dual Thermostat.  This is what National Luna advised us is most popular. Our current plan is to order the rest in for customers when required.

If we do expand our range to include another size, I imagine this is the next most popular model. 

I will see if the Victorian National Luna rep might be able to loan us a 90L for you to take a look at.  I'll let you know what I can organise.  I'll come back to you on this too.

Also, you should get onto Dolium's back about the pricing. It *retails* for half the price in South Africa, and is often 10% less on sale. I know we have tax and freight but sheez they are making a healthy margin.

Agreed - when it comes to US brands - we expect to be able to retail for something very similar to the US price with conversions taken into account. 

I can see that you're right - there does seem to be a big difference in plain conversion from South African Rand to AUD. 

However, I know very little about South African retail & wholesale businesses as most brands we sell are either Australian, US or Chinese.  Maybe this is not possible with South African brands... ?? 

I do know from the past when I looked to importing Potjie Kings to Australia from South Africa the container charges were 5x dearer than China to Australia....   

I presume this is because very few ships do run this trip by comparison to China to Aus anyway.

There could be more to it though, so I'll give them another nudge on this for you.  Definitely easier to sell if they're more aggressively priced!  No guarantees on me getting any results on this one though sorry. 

Talk soon! 

[boobook]

Thanks Jon

I appreciate your feedback and frank answers. You really add value to this forum.

I do agree that the freight from China must be a lot cheaper, but I still think Dolium is taking the piss. ( lots of ships from Europe go via South Africa). I could buy 2 and have one as a spare for about the same price. I did get a quote for freight for one and it was $120.

Even with all that, there is no doubt that it is the best fridge and I would not buy anything else.

If I can convince myself to fork out the money, or my 72l ever dies, I'll be sure to checkout  Tentworld.

[Jon Burrell - Tentworld]

Thanks Jon

I appreciate your feedback and frank answers. You really add value to this forum.

I do agree that the freight from China must be a lot cheaper, but I still think Dolium is taking the piss. ( lots of ships from Europe go via South Africa). I could buy 2 and have one as a spare for about the same price. I did get a quote for freight for one and it was $120.

Even with all that, there is no doubt that it is the best fridge and I would not buy anything else.

If I can convince myself to fork out the money, or my 72l ever dies, I'll be sure to checkout  Tentworld.

Good news Bobook!  National Luna & Dolium did come to an agreement and have apparently re-arranged their buying & payment methods which has translated to a substantial reduction in the RRPs for the National Luna fridges.   

Our prices are now much more similar to South African prices  when conversion takes place.

Check it out - https://www.tentworld.com.au/brand/national-luna/

[Spada]

Our prices are now much more similar to South African prices  when conversion takes place.
Check it out - https://www.tentworld.com.au/brand/national-luna/

Sure have come down in price, the 90l is about $100 less than what I paid 4 years ago from a direct importer.

[Jon Burrell - Tentworld]

Sure have come down in price, the 90l is about $100 less than what I paid 4 years ago from a direct importer.

This change only happened a couple of weeks ago - so it'd be interesting to see how you went doing it direct now.  I imagine you'd be behind.  Given the changes in AUD$ strength.

Even if you were not though, I think the peace of mind of having bought local & being protected by local consumer laws is always a nice feeling.

[glenm64]

This makes them very competitive.

Cheers Glen

[boobook]

Good news Bobook!  National Luna & Dolium did come to an agreement and have apparently re-arranged their buying & payment methods which has translated to a substantial reduction in the RRPs for the National Luna fridges.   

Our prices are now much more similar to South African prices  when conversion takes place.

Check it out - https://www.tentworld.com.au/brand/national-luna/

That's great news Jon and brings them into a more realistic price.  At the new price the 90l is easier to justify on price. And IMHO thre is nothing that comes close to a National luna for ruggedness, battery use and temperature control.

[boobook]

I forgot to update you Jon, I eventually bought the 90l, and from Tentworld. It was a few years ago. I was reminded last week when I purchased my Zempire tent from Tentworld in FTG.

[Jon Burrell - Tentworld]

Thank you for your support Bobook!   

[Wol]

Have Tentworld ceased to stock National Luna fridges now? The only one you have is on clearance I think.

TBH just considering some possible options so mostly just curious.

regards

[Jon Burrell - Tentworld]

Have Tentworld ceased to stock National Luna fridges now? The only one you have is on clearance I think.

TBH just considering some possible options so mostly just curious.

regards

National Luna's previous distributor NARVA, has not continued with the distribution of their fridges.  They are currently continuing to manage any warranty work, at least until new distributors are appointed.  I have not been informed of any distribution updates recently.   I will check in with National Luna South Africa though to see if there are any updates.