Best Cooler for Multi Day Camping...

[RSH]

I just viewed a cooler comparison on youtube last night.

Sponsored

 

[MJE]

I really like those little portable 12v coolers like you mentioned above @MJE but ran into an issue years ago using one camping in the summer: they usually drop about 40 degrees or so off ambient air temp. Camping in the summer my beer got warm and my hot dogs? Let's not go there. No bueno!

Very true. They aren’t a fridge. 40 below ambient is fine below 80 but yeah not ideal for multi day camping in the heat of summer.

 

[EricCif]

If money is not an issue, why not a cooler that needs no ice.


https://www.anker.com/products/a17a1?utm_source=google&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign=us_anker_pps_conversion_search_A17AX_purchase_web_brandpowercooler_ost&utm_content=poweredcooler&utm_term={20348392209}_{151907929660}_{665129724670}&gclid=Cj0KCQjwk96lBhDHARIsAEKO4xZUbYvWUAth6pkayLMrr8GzPZizoYXzyWbVtfRodqsxfn93cZF-Q8YaAvuREALw_wcB

 

[Kraken23]

Thanks everyone for the tips, tricks, and suggestions. I think I will start small, both in terms of camping length and cooler type using the above suggestions.

 

[Kraken23]

If money is not an issue, why not a cooler that needs no ice.


https://www.anker.com/products/a17a1?utm_source=google&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign=us_anker_pps_conversion_search_A17AX_purchase_web_brandpowercooler_ost&utm_content=poweredcooler&utm_term={20348392209}_{151907929660}_{665129724670}&gclid=Cj0KCQjwk96lBhDHARIsAEKO4xZUbYvWUAth6pkayLMrr8GzPZizoYXzyWbVtfRodqsxfn93cZF-Q8YaAvuREALw_wcB

Now that’s a cool, no pun intended, cooler. If money was no object I think I would have to get one just to see if it works. Plus it has its own direct solar input. Awesome.

 

[BourbonRunner]

Now that’s a cool, no pun intended, cooler. If money was no object I think I would have to get one just to see if it works. Plus it has its own direct solar input. Awesome.

Agree, that's a pretty slick setup. I could see using something like that in place of a 12v fridge because it is sort of portable. Though-- Figuring a case of beer adds about 20lbs, 2 gal of water another 15lbs and then food, it gets un-portable pretty fast.

I also wonder how long the battery would really last in hotter weather. The site says the mid size lasts about 36 hours at 77 ambient, if it's in the high 80s during the day I suspect that time gets cut down significantly.

Anker's compatible folding 100W solar panel adds another $300+ to the cost, but other brands can be had for less. Renogy sells a briefcase style 100W for around $160. I can't tell if the cooler has a charger controller built in, though so it may only work with Anker's panels.

 

[gatornek]

I just viewed a cooler comparison on youtube last night.

Pretty cool. Its interesting to see that all the rotomolded coolers pretty much look the same when they are cut open. There is something abou thte Yeti distribution of the insulation that gets them to perform so well. My thought is that it seems that they have the most insulation on the lid, and that's where all the heat is going to rise to. They might have an excellent rubber gasket design also, in comparison to others, but how many times can you reinvent a rubber gasket.

 

[EricCif]

Can't vouch for the Anker battery cooler as I do not have one but the company certainly has a reputation for quality products that work.

 

[Wolf256]

If money is not an issue, why not a cooler that needs no ice.


https://www.anker.com/products/a17a1?utm_source=google&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign=us_anker_pps_conversion_search_A17AX_purchase_web_brandpowercooler_ost&utm_content=poweredcooler&utm_term={20348392209}_{151907929660}_{665129724670}&gclid=Cj0KCQjwk96lBhDHARIsAEKO4xZUbYvWUAth6pkayLMrr8GzPZizoYXzyWbVtfRodqsxfn93cZF-Q8YaAvuREALw_wcB

If money and weight are not an issue. 48# empty. If I load it with food/drink, I need a lift to get it in the back. ?

 

[abart]

I have a Grizzly cooler that I really like and keeps ice very well for a few days in hot summer heat. My buddy has a cooler
called Cold Bastard that has worked very,very well in the higher summer temps. If I get another cooler again it would be one of these two.

 

[Bronco2.7]

Any recommendations for the best affordable cooler for multi day camping. I dont want to spend hundreds of dollars if I dont have too and I also dont want to get one of the electric ones just yet. Would love to hear what everyone is using.

Costco had a heavy chest called Orca for $99. I took it on a fishing trip in my boat and the ice lasted 4 days. I was good with that!

 

[The YETI]

I've had my YETI Roadie 20 and Tundra 65 for 7 years, the 65 has spent over 200,000 miles in the bed of 2 F150s traveling in deserts, mountains, you name it. Both are still in damn good condition and I fully expect them to outlive me. I have friends with RTIC and Grizzly coolers, they seem to be very good as well. I recommend YETI but buy what you want and can afford.

 

[sajohnson]

Coleman Extreme

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AU6GB2K/?coliid=I1RIGP4A61PUDE&colid=6ESYW96IPD04&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

See the top 1-star review on Amazon by yours truly. The screws securing the cheap plastic hinges pulled out -- just from the lid being left open! If it was some no-name brand that cost $15 that might be expected -- but not a $50 Coleman.

That was 4 years ago, and my review has received a lot of attention. Perhaps Coleman changed the design, but if not, buyer beware.

<Later> I see that model is sold out. The new one is $75, and they seem to have replaced the 2 lame hinges with a sturdier integrated hinge design.

There are several YouTube videos of people testing coolers that might be useful.

We ended up with a "Cascade Mountain" roto-molded cooler. Relatively expensive at ~$250, but is comparable to a Yeti at almost twice the cost -- great insulation, very strong, Grizzly bear proof. More than we need, but I'd rather buy something that will last and be done with it.

 

[MJE]

but I'd rather buy something that will last and be done with it.

I love this way of thinking & try to do it with many purchases. Take care of good things you buy & you won’t have to revisit your decisions very often.

 

[sajohnson]

I love this way of thinking & try to do it with many purchases. Take care of good things you buy & you won’t have to revisit your decisions very often.

Exactly MJE.

I'll admit that I did not always think that way. When I was younger and money was tight I sometimes had to buy products that I knew were not the best value -- they were less expensive but not made particularly well.

Even back then though, by using CR I could usually find a "Best Buy" or at least "Recommended" product I could afford.

When money is not as much of an issue, it can be easy to go overboard -- past the point of diminishing returns -- which might describe the Cascade Mnt. cooler (for our use), but we'll never have to buy another one. I haven't looked closely at the new Coleman with the integrated hinge, but if it is sturdy and has a good amount of insulation, for $75 I might have bought it over the Cascade, because we really don't need the cooler to be grizzly proof since it is not left outside. The previous Coleman design was pathetic though.

I don't have personal experience with the 12 volt electric coolers, but from what people have posted on this thread they are pretty limited in their performance. If there are better ones out there -- coolers that can maintain (say) a 65*F temp difference -- that might be the way to go. We have a propane fridge/freezer in our RV that works very well. The main reason we bought the cooler was too transport crabs from here in MD to the Midwest for family (not enough room in the fridge).

One consideration for 12V coolers is power -- for anything more than a few hours, a separate source of 12Vdc is necessary.

Sponsored