Cooler or Portable Fridge

[YellowLab]

So where do folks stand on the age old argument, would you choose a cooler versus a plug in fridge on say a 3 day trip?

 

[anand]

I'm definitely biased, as I've had a fridge (or fridge/freezer) in the past 4 vehicles/6 years; but fridge all the way. You never have to worry about ice and it is always ready to go (assuming you have sufficient power)

 

[PNW_IG]

I am on my 1st fridge and I agree with anand 100%.

 

[holdmybeer]

Ditto. I'm about the make the plunge into my first fridge. Looking forward to it for daytrips and camping but also just around town. Because if the fridge can fit a standard cake box ... I'll be the hero of the family.

 

[YellowLab]

I've heard good things about the ARB 47 QT PORTABLE SINGLE-ZONE FRIDGE FREEZER - going to take a look at that one

 

[Dual Grenny Guy]

I hope not a stupid question, but I am about to install the Buzz rear cargo set up with the sliding fridge option. Do I need a back up/auxiliary battery? I have the “upgraded stereo” in the Grenadier this is going in & not the dual battery. So is a factory single battery sufficient to run a fridge on camping/fishing trips (maybe up to 5-7 days)? TIA……

 

[DenisM]

I've heard good things about the ARB 47 QT PORTABLE SINGLE-ZONE FRIDGE FREEZER - going to take a look at that one

Have had same Bushman 35-52 L fridge /freezer for past 15 yrs. I often use it when there's a large 'hunt n gather' exercise required at the supermarket and the summer days are regularly 35-40 deg C. Frozen goods then present no problem if there are other errands to run before I can get home and not worry about the stuff thawing in the meantime . I recently bought a cheap 22L "Brass Monkey" fridge as a dedicated freezer (-18degC) . I run both from the rear 12v socket. For long trips I use a DIY battery box connected to a 100 AH LiFeP04

 

[Logsplitter]

I've heard good things about the ARB 47 QT PORTABLE SINGLE-ZONE FRIDGE FREEZER - going to take a look at that one

I have the ARB 47. It’s certainly robust and durable and being 12v and mains voltage is very convenient

 

[Voader - Oudersopzwier]

We have a National Luna (+/- 90 L) in our Defender and a Mobicool of +/- 28L in the Grenadier. As they are both compressor coolers, they hardly take energy. They can turn for days without a problem with the battery.
They both stand standard on 4° C But you can set them minus 0° C if you want to. But probably then they will consume more power. Never tried that, We never put ice in it.

 

[CountyV8]

Had a fridge in the vehicle since the 90s go with the fridge if battery will stand it.

 

[Voader - Oudersopzwier]

@Dual Grenny Guy If you are on a stand still for 5 to 7 days, you probably won't make it with a single battery system.
With the Defender, we never stand still for more than 2 days, so when we drive the battery is back topped up. But the Defender has a Dual battery system, so there is never a problem there.
The Grenadier is single battery, but I got an Ecoflow portable battery as an extra that we take with us on long trips. Maybe that is a solution for your single battery setup.
You could also link a portable solar panel to the portable battery just to let the solar juice flow.... and keep your beer cold.

 

[Skydance]

My Ineos has a single battery and I recommend a fridge to avoid the hassle of loading/draining bags of ice. I purchased a cheap 45 litre fridge freezer which in my opinion is as cheap as one of the more expensive coolers. Most of the fridge/freezers are all made in China anyway, all rebranded. I can buy things frozen from the supermarket and not worry about it melting.

To keep things charged up, I’m using a Bluetti charger 1 alternator charger with a Bluetti power station and tops up whilsts driving to destination's super fast, much faster than a 12v plug. Whilst camping (stationary), I then keep it topped up using foldable 200w solar panels. I use the car 12v to power the fridge whilst driving and then plug the fridge into the power station whilst camping.

It’s a cheap and modular way with many power outlet options.

 

[YellowLab]

@Dual Grenny Guy If you are on a stand still for 5 to 7 days, you probably won't make it with a single battery system.
With the Defender, we never stand still for more than 2 days, so when we drive the battery is back topped up. But the Defender has a Dual battery system, so there is never a problem there.
The Grenadier is single battery, but I got an Ecoflow portable battery as an extra that we take with us on long trips. Maybe that is a solution for your single battery setup.
You could also link a portable solar panel to the portable battery just to let the solar juice flow.... and keep your beer cold.

My thought is that we would not be at a standstill for more than a day at a time. Can also run the vehicle if needed to keep battery fresh

 

[Mountain4x4]

I have used fridges for decades, only way to go.

 

[AUDIOBUS]

Short trip alternative: We had a fridge in the travel trailer (shore power, so, not a fair comparison) for a while and I removed it for more storage. The replacement +/- 100 qt cooler was better simply because it held more. We freeze 3/4 full Gatorade bottles for short trips, gallon jugs for longer (or hotter) trips, and get a block of ice + bottles for a week. Nothing fancy, this $80 option *(at the time, 2016) kept up with a buddy's high dollar Yeti on a trip, and ours was much larger. As the water bottles melt we have water for dishes, dogs, and in case of emergencies. No draining if only out for a long weekend. But the ice block is the way to go for + 5 days. And then there's draining. And finding another ice block every week we're out for 2-3 weeks... and the eventually unfrozen bottles take up space.

...so, after writing this I'll now go explore 12v fridge options.

"Honey, where'd all the money go?" - "Sorry love, I joined an internet forum ..."

 

[Zimm]

I have a small 1970's norcold, and newer 60l natonal luna.... typically I still revert back to the norcold. It's not too big and 50% of the space isnt ice like a cooler. My advise in these is to error small and if you pre make meals, dont use round containers. squares or form fitting bags.

pay attention to the compressor. within a brand, the smaller unit doesnt necessarily use much less power. I believe overland journal ran some tests years ago, but, the tests may be out dated.

 

[anand]

I believe overland journal ran some tests years ago, but, the tests may be out dated.

Yea they tested all of them at the time (which is basically all of them on the market now, except for the latest Dometic CFX5), many share the same compressor, but the overall power usage in 24hrs is not the same across the board.

For the standard battery I was getting around a day or so of not driving in 80-90°F ambient temps before my Dometic CFX3 45L would hit the medium battery cut off. One thing to note here, if you're using the OEM battery set up (single or dual), run a separate (appropriately sized) power line from the battery or bus bar to the fridge, the OEM 12v outlets are wired with fairly small wiring and thus introduces a good bit of voltage drop, which will cut off the fridge earlier than it should

 

[owl (Owl Outdoor)]

I bought my first ARB fridge in 2013 and I still have that fridge running 24/7 in my van.
I’ve owned several others since then, but if you buy a good brand fridge and take care of it you’ll never regret making the jump from a cooler and ice.

 

[Dual Grenny Guy]

I bought my first ARB fridge in 2013 and I still have that fridge running 24/7 in my van.
I’ve owned several others since then, but if you buy a good brand fridge and take care of it you’ll never regret making the jump from a cooler and ice.

What’s up “Owl”? I am literally emailing with Reece right now discussing me shipping my Queens Red to y’all and having the entire “Owl” make over (side steps, bull bar, lights, lift, railing, etc etc). I really do love yalls products. Wish yall also did a rear cargo storage system with a spot for a fridge. Maybe in the future?

 

[NC_Mike]

I have the dometic CFX3-35. Purchased a few weeks ago when I bought my Grenny. I will have to say it is the best purchase I have made for weekend warrior camping. I use a combination of the Grenny battery when driving and have a Jackery 1000V2 that I use when I am off grid. The Jackery to me is equivilent in value to the fridge. Together, with a solar panel, can run as long as needed off grid. One of the unintended consequences and totally a first world problem, is that I enjoy a cocktail at the end of the night, and not having ice is a bummer. I have a yeti tumbler that I now load up with ice before I leave the house and can get a few mixed drinks worth of ice for 2 days lol.