Cheap coolers that make ice last!

[kingofthehill]

I ended up getting a used Rtic 45 off of craislist. it came with 2 baskets and the divider. I got it for $140. I have been spending the day cleaning it up. had some black pitted spots in the inside I thought was dirt. most of which cleaned up and it had quite a few scuff marks on the outside. the only ting i found to remove those was a mr magic eraser. I looks decent but is definitely not in perfect shape. previous owner also drilled a hole in it (didn’t notice till I got home). I think he did it to add a bike lock to it.cIt should work well and last a while due to these coolers being built well.

 

[TNFISHRMAN]

I love my RTIC 65. I feel its worth every penny. Usually around Labor day and Black Friday they have cooler sale on the website.

 

[halflife78]

Another RTIC person here, bought one before we did out 20 day drive out West and used it for drinks, food, etc.

 

[Bergz]

For the price, I really like the Lifetime coolers. You can often find the 55 for only $99 on sale - Lifetime 55 Quart High Performance Cooler

 

[kingofthehill]

I used my Rtic cooler for the first time. I put one bag 10 lb of ice in with prechilled drinks on a Friday night. It sat inside my house that night. In the morning I drained of a little ice melt and added a 2nd 10 lb bag of ice. After that it spent its time in the back of my 4runner or outside in the sun light. On Tuesday morning all the ice was melted except for a few small cubes. so it lasted 3 days in 80-85 degree weather in the direct sunlight most of the time.

 

[MSRP.]

Whatever you do, do NOT youtube rotomolded cooler comparison/tests... Easy way of losing track of 1.5 hours..
Speaking from experience! (Pelican 65 here)

 

[doirrunners]

A Coleman cooler or Yeti cooler is your best option. I've used both and have no complaints.

 

[Mgyver1]

...After that it spent its time in the back of my 4runner or outside in the sun light. On Tuesday morning all the ice was melted except for a few small cubes. so it lasted 3 days in 80-85 degree weather in the direct sunlight most of the time.

Keeping the cooler out of direct sunlight would help tremendously. Also keeping the water in there instead of draining helps retain the cold longer, but at the expense of water-logging your stuff.

I’m a Pelican wheeled 45 owner, but I should’ve bought a fridge sooner! My Engel fridge has been a game changer.

 

[eddielasvegas]

In what ways?

If one only needs 4-6 days of cold food storage (using a cooler optimally), is it worth the grand this bad boy costs?

ENGEL PLATINUM MT35F-U1 AC/DC FRIDGE/FREEZER

Thanks,

Eddie

...My Engel fridge has been a game changer.

 

[Mgyver1]

In what ways?

If one only needs 4-6 days of cold food storage (using a cooler optimally), is it worth the grand this bad boy costs?

ENGEL PLATINUM MT35F-U1 AC/DC FRIDGE/FREEZER

Thanks,

Eddie

Well I got mine on sale and only paid $670 for my MT45. But even at $1k, I would probably still do it knowing what I know now.

There are umpteen threads about the pros & cons of fridges just like there are for ground vs roof tent. Me personally, I like the fridge due to how easy it is to get to my stuff, not having to dig around trying to find something in the cooler or chipping the item I want out of a clump of ice that’s frozen together, being able to get home and plug the fridge in the house after a trip and not worry about unloading it quickly before it goes bad, actually having food to put back when I get home instead of water-logged or ruined food, not having to stop for ice, having a spare fridge or freezer in the house when the house fridge is full from a Costco trip, being able to take it in the car and get groceries in whatever order I want during the 120 degree summers here instead of working my errands around the grocery store being the last stop, and many more benefits.

They are not for everyone, they do have downsides and I do still use my Pelican for some things, but for me the fridge has been worth it. And while I have done a 7 day trip, I’m typically using my fridge for shorter weekend trips. Even using it on short trips I still feel it’s worth the added cost.