I have an ARB fridge/freezer for longer term food transport/storage but I was thinking I might sometimes leave that in my tow vehicle and just take some drinks, snacks and a sandwich out for a day in the woods from basecamp. Is there a relatively inexpensive cooler that'll serve that duty that people use?
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What about those Coleman powered coolers?
I'd probably go with an RTiC or one of the other yeti knockoffs.
- Thread starter
- #5
Maybe... I guess if it is 95 outside I'll get MAYBE 55 in the fridge... probably not enough. I wonder if any of the other cheepies do any better...
"40° below the surrounding temperature."
"40° below the surrounding temperature."
Cruiserdrew
On the way there
Get another small cheap fridge. One of the Chinese knockoffs like Edgestar. Likely will work great, no ice, etc.
I've been wanting one of these small Dometics for that use as well:
Amazon.com: Dometic CDF-11 Smallest Portable Freezer/Refrigerator: Automotive
I've been monitoring the open box website for another edgestar deal, but haven't seen one in months pop up.
Amazon.com: Dometic CDF-11 Smallest Portable Freezer/Refrigerator: Automotive
I've been monitoring the open box website for another edgestar deal, but haven't seen one in months pop up.
What about keeping some of the ice packs in the fridge until you wanna drop some stuff including the ice packs into the smaller cooler? They won't be frozen but will be chilled.
- Thread starter
- #11
ARB gets filled up pretty fast.
I might be that one of the thermoelectrics would work ok given the stuff going in was cold to start. And I could insulate the cooler (like a transit bag only better to help out.... might be worth a try this next summer.
I might be that one of the thermoelectrics would work ok given the stuff going in was cold to start. And I could insulate the cooler (like a transit bag only better to help out.... might be worth a try this next summer.
I bought an Engel 19Q Drybox/Cooler on sale for day trips with the Subaru (dog in the back so no room for the Fridge/Freezer). It's also been used for packing consumables needing to stay cool while en-route to weekend getaways where there is a fridge at the other end. With a couple small ice packs (gel based) and pre-cooling any drinks it's worked well for our use so far. It's not as good as the higher end coolers like Yeti or Engel, but for light duty as used above I've been quite happy with it. For one day, the 19Q is a good size. Makes you pack efficiently when stretched for longer.
Of course our experience with this Engel Drybox/Cooler is all with having the ability to start the day with chilled cold packs and cooled drinks, as we started from home. I've not taken it on the trail and used it to keep things cool from transferred items via the ARB.
On a side note, when at ACT 2006 I did run the ARB in freezer mode and used a Coleman cooler to keep things cool; Putting into the Coleman the frozen protein for the dinner that day and a couple frozen cooler packs every morning. That worked well as a solution for a long trip.
Cooler Dry Boxes - Shop By Coolers - Coolers
hth's
gb
Of course our experience with this Engel Drybox/Cooler is all with having the ability to start the day with chilled cold packs and cooled drinks, as we started from home. I've not taken it on the trail and used it to keep things cool from transferred items via the ARB.
On a side note, when at ACT 2006 I did run the ARB in freezer mode and used a Coleman cooler to keep things cool; Putting into the Coleman the frozen protein for the dinner that day and a couple frozen cooler packs every morning. That worked well as a solution for a long trip.
Cooler Dry Boxes - Shop By Coolers - Coolers
hth's
gb
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I've been using this 2 years non stop...lives in the truck from April to November...and then heads to basement to get plugged in for overflow duty.
Dometic CF-018-D65-B Portable Freezer/Refrigerator Personal Size, Gray Amazon.com: Dometic CF-018-D65-B Portable Freezer/Refrigerator Personal Size, Gray: Automotive
Dometic CF-018-D65-B Portable Freezer/Refrigerator Personal Size, Gray Amazon.com: Dometic CF-018-D65-B Portable Freezer/Refrigerator Personal Size, Gray: Automotive
