Ice cooler in addition to the fridge?

[Rob Outlaw]

Just curious, do most of you feel the need to carry along an extra ice cooler, i.e. Yeti etc in addition to the fridge that comes with your travel trailer? We certainly needed it when we had our T@b with 12 Volt fridge which was rather useless but thats another topic.

Thanks a bunch.

[Bob Miller]

We carry a small cooler to keep in the car with drinks and snacks and cool all the drinks we can when parked overnight on LP. Never needed the extra storage for food except between store and rv when disconnected.

[Glenn Baglo]

We keep a small cooler ( no ice ) in the tow, but it is only used to transport foods from store to trailer. I'm allowed enough space for 12 cans of beer in the 5 cu. ft. fridge. Rest is reserved for food.

[Sid]

We do especially when camping in bear country.
It's typical use is for day trips so we can have our lunch along with us.
Sid

[Sheryl M]

If we're camping somewhere for 4-5 days, we'll take an ice cooler to keep all the drinks in.

[Bobby Kirk]

We always carried a large ice cooler when we use the Boler . Now that we are Casita owners, the Fridge seems huge in comparison so I look forward to not dragging around that thing. Too many times we would get all set up and relax just to find out that the ice was forgotten.

[Mike Magee]

I have carried a cooler just in case my fridge isn't cooling adequately, but I haven't actually used the cooler. Sid, I think it's interesting that you use one "especially in bear country," because I do the exact opposite; they say that a cooler in sight is an enticement for bears to break in (they recognize the cooler as a food source) and I didn't want to take chances. I trust that you keep your cooler covered or out of sight?

[Sid]

Mike
Yes it is always out of sight. That said over the years I have seen quite a few locked cars or trailers destroyed by bears. In parking lots at access points into the boundary waters in Minnesota if food is left they break in. Windows mean access and smell not sight directs them. Given the choice I would rather have them go after the one I am not sleeping in. Btw for the same reason most of our cooking is done outside.
Just an easy ounce of prevention. YMMV
Sid

[Scouter Dave]

I usually take the Koolatron along on long trips and on this trip it has proved invaluable. I will be four months in State Parks on this trip and the adapter has allowed me to use it for extra storage in the trailer. I am really glad that I brought it along. I also have a 'fail safe' adapter for my TV. It is supposed to cut off if the battery gets low...... don't know if it does... I usually unplug for overnight stops. Scouter Dave....

[Timber Wolf]

We take a cooler because I can't fit it all in the "dorm" fridge I currently have in the Scamp. Later this Spring I intend to install the largest Truckfridge and hope to no longer need a cooler too. Except maybe a small one for the tow or the take down to the beach of course.

[cpaharley2008]

I take my cooler but use it for carrying my dog food and keeping the bear temptation small. But I have been known to remove the dog food bags and fill with libation and ice if it gets hot enough. Otherwise my 6.7 refer in the Escape is big enough for at least 2 weeks worth of food and water.

[TomK]

We travel with a small cooler in the tug for drinks or sandwiches while on the road. Everything in the fridge was chilled down before we leave home, and it stays cold all day if we don't have to open the door. At camp, the cooler is handy if we want to do some exploring during the day. It pretty much stays in the car.

Tom

[Carol H]

I travel with a cooler that is primarily used for drinks. The fridge in my Scamp is fairly small and if I am going to be camping for more than a couple of days it tends to fill up fast. Having the drinks in a separate cooler helps prevent the fridge from being opened a lot on hot days.

[Borrego Dave]

Certainly, for drinks and possibly some unopened food items that swimming in cold water won't hurt.

[Rob Outlaw]

Lots of good comments and considerations. For starters I think we will bring along an extra ice cooler too.

[padlin00]

Never felt the need to carry a cooler till I bought the Escape. The fridge has a tendency to get warm just when needed the most. Take a 20 Qt cooler along to move the foods that can go bad to as needed. Works well as a day travel cooler, just need to keep an eye on the ice.

[theresa p]

funny, Bob, most of the comments I have read re: Escape fridges are positive...looks like you aren't having such luck with yours.

as to us--we take a cooler for drinks and keep, like Dave says, stuff in it as well that swms well.
the Outback has a small 12v fridge so we try to keep the door-opening to a bare minimum to help it last longer when we're boondocking.

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by theresa p

funny, Bob, most of the comments I have read re: Escape fridges are positive...looks like you aren't having such luck with yours.

.

My understanding is it is one (well known brand) model of fridge that Escape used that some are having issues with in hot weather and Escape has been talking/working with the manufacture of the fridge to try and resolve it.

[Bob Miller]

Might help others if the name and model of the "Well known Fridge" that is problematic in Escapes was posted in case there are others having similar difficulties. That is unless is has been determined that it is an installation rather than an operational problem ???

[Glenn Baglo]

It's Dometic 6.7 cu.ft. and Dometic is solving the problem. Has been determined that it is not installation issue and numerous attempts by owners to re-engineer the fridge with fans and holes in the freezer compartment have come to naught.