Coolers

[Mary Ann in MN]

I've been thinking about buying a new cooler. What kind of coolers do most of you have. I looked at the Yetti coolers, but they are priced way to high, and are way to heavy. I could never lift it if it was full. I've been using my Igloo cooler on wheels, but I think it's getting time for a new one.

[Byron Kinnaman]

No cooler, don't need one. The on-board fridge works good enough.

[Mary Ann in MN]

I don't have a fridge in the camper, so I have to have coolers.

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by Mary Ann in MN

I don't have a fridge in the camper, so I have to have coolers.

Understand. This link might help.

Here's another link that might be of some use.

[daltenes]

I have a mid-sized Yeti and the smallest model. Ice in the mid-size lasts 5-7 days; small one is for day use but ice lasts longer than cheaper products. Add in security features and bear-proof and you can see why Yeti is worth the price.

[keekers]

I agree-Yeti is worth the price. Found a great internet deal. Turned out they had not updated their website so I got a $329 Yeti for $199. Score! Also look for similar brands, Brute, Grizzley.

[santacruzer]

"Icehole" is another brand on the market. I've seen them in use, they work well, but interior space is small compared to overall size. And expensive......

[ShirleyA]

I too use a cooler and not the fridge in my camper. I looked at Yeti, but did not want to pay for the "bear proof" properties of the cooler nor did I want the extra weight. I just purchased a Rubbermaid Marine cooler 102 qt which advertises ice for 5-7 days. I have not had a chance to try it yet. I will make a reflectix cover for it to enhance it's ability to keep ice. I will report here after I check out the cooler.

[steve dunham]

We have taken a Coleman EXtreme cooler and cut pieces of 1' blue styrofoam to fit inside the cooler as a liner . We can hold ice for 5 days in warm weather if we put the cooler in the shade and do not go in the cooler a lot . We use Floyd's method for ice and freeze 1/2 gallon plastic jugs. If you put pop or beer in a cooler and go in the cooler frequently 3 days is about max on the ice

[carlkeigley]

I bought a white cooler for my Jon Boat.
I think I bought it at Academy Sports.
I bought it because it's solar-ray preventive.
Just a little more cost than a regular cooler.
It's pretty big, we carry it in the back of the pickup for water bottles, cokes, etc.
We carry what we use for the day inside to the fridge. So we carry both.

It comes down to your style camping and lifestyle. And what type camper you have.

[carlkeigley]

I just went to see what I have.
It's a "Igloo Marine" UV resistant.

Bought it for fishing trips, but use it for camping instead.
Or, guess I should say wife commandeered it.

[Mary Ann in MN]

Most of the time, I camp alone with my pooch, and my 70 qt cooler is perfect for me. If I buy the Yetti of equal size, I won't be able to move it when it's full. It's heavy when it's empty. I also don't like the price for it. I also freeze water in bottles and lay them across the bottom, and Ice Cubes around the rest of the stuff. I keep a small cooler to keep my water and pop in so I'm not in and out of the cooler so much.

[santacruzer]

We use Coleman Extremes at our hunting camp in hot weather in the upper Central Valley of California. While these are very good in their own right, they do even better if you can keep a wet towel draped over them.

[stevebaz]

At the price of ice these days and upgraded cooler might be wise.

[carlkeigley]

Also forgot to say we get medicine every month with frozen gel bags in them.
Very thick styrofoam box in a cardboard box. We use the gel bags over and over.
And sometimes we buy ice to throw over them. The gel bags we refreeze in
the fridge if needed when hooked up.

We can use the styrofoam to carry enough medicine up front in the tow.

[Nancy]

Shirley A, thanks for mentioning reflectix. I have a cooler problem and that might help. Duct tape here I come.

We down sized our car and it is creating lots of changes.

see you in Minden. Nancy

[Gene Masse]

I have a coleman thermoelectric cooler. It plugs into AC or DC power. No need to use up space for ice. Walmart has one for $88.
Coleman PowerChill 40-Quart Thermoelectric Cooler with Power Supply ? Walmart.com
I also have recently bought a cooler that also serves as a freezer or fridge. AC/DC. It's a 40 quart size. I got it on Ebay. They are rather pricey It will be nice to be able to take an adequate amount of frozen food along and some ice cream. It's a Dometic.

[Jon Vermilye]

Originally Posted by carlkeigley

Also forgot to say we get medicine every month with frozen gel bags in them.
Very thick styrofoam box in a cardboard box. We use the gel bags over and over.
And sometimes we buy ice to throw over them. The gel bags we refreeze in
the fridge if needed when hooked up.

We can use the styrofoam to carry enough medicine up front in the tow.

Another place to get gel bags is at your local florist. They use them to ship some types of flowers; ours often gives away 10 - 15 per week...

[Bobbie Mayer]

I measured my trailer's clearance and bought a 5-day cooler that would fit underneath. That helps it hold ice. I bought one so I could carry extra ice blocks since I rarely can buy block ice while out camping, so I only open it when the ice in the icebox has melted away.

[D Davis]

I use a 5 day cooler from Walmart going on 15 years now. It has extra insulation. Then I freeze salt water in Ocean Spray juice bottles. When I pack milk, it actually freezes in the cooler. It's because of the salt water. Keeps things colder. Works well.
Cheap way to go.