Good question. The ARB fridge is fantastic. It is also very large and a little bit more than most people need. I wonder if there is a fridge like this but half in size??? (but still good quality)

 

Go to E-Bay, there's a smaller model by Engel that may fit the bill. Tim

 

The last time I looked into the subject, most said Coleman or the Igloo (3-5 day??) coolers were the best. I ended up with a JP cooler due to space limitations and intended use (i.e. Jeep roadtrips) and it's not bad for a daytrip. One thing that really helps me with any cooler is to freeze gallon jugs (Arizona tea are the best) solid and use those for ice.. Ron

 

I have had the Coleman Stainless steel ice chest for ~5 years now and really like it. I find that it will truly hold ice for 3-5 days (depending on outside temps/amount of open & closing times) and with the addition of dry ice, will keep things frozen for a week.

We had to have a home fridge repaired and were living out of it for over a week and it kept the everything cold as well as having a frozen section w/dry ice. I use the insulated cover when going on extended trips and I think it helps keep things colder but more likely, it just keeps people from opening it more often because its less convenient with the cover on.

I would recommend it. Sorry, don't have any experience with the model/brand you are looking at. Oh, and if you can find a Coleman outlet, you can get them much cheaper than other places...

 

i would have gotten an ARB/Engel based on their reputation. but, i couldn't pass on the price for a Waeco, and it has served me well.

 

I bought a collapsable California Innovations cooler at Sam's a few years ago, and it kept ice for 36 hours. Incredible, since every other cooler I've ever used wouldn't last that long. It's got some kind of space-age liner in it.

I've since bought one by the same company that resembles a tall round cooler can (the kind you see on utility trucks, or on the golf courses). Works just as well, and holds even more ice and drinks (and, it too is collapsible).

 

I had a great experience with the Coleman Steel Belted series. I used it about 3 times before it was stolen, but it kept the ice in the form of ice and everything cold for 3+ish days.


I think i saw them at sport chalet the other day for around $130 i think.

 

Larry-

I have been using my Coleman Ultimate Extreme 7 day for week long trips on my sailboat and FJ with great success. I have come back with the same ice a week later.

A couple tips for using a cooler efficiently.

For 3 day trips or longer, freeze a dozen 12-16 oz water bottles and lie them on the bottom of the cooler as you begin to pack. They act as ice and of course are good to use as they begin to thaw out during your trip.

If you have room for a small block of ice use it. Less surface area over all means less melted ice.

Dry ice is not a good idea for one who sleeps in his rig. It uses/eliminates oxygen in your "closed" rig and could theoretically kill you but works well if you keep the rig ventilated.

Use lots of heavy duty zip lock bags to keep meats/fruit/butter clean and organized.

Keep a large bag of clean ice for your Scotch!

Scott

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/images/products/6273-721_500.jpg

Fun read
Which cooler is the coolest? - By Tom Bartlett - Slate Magazine

 

Larry-

I have been using my Coleman Ulimate Extreme 7 day for week long trips on my sailboat and FJ with great success. I have come back with the same ice a week later.

A couple tips for using a cooler efficiently.

For 3 day trips or longer, freeze a dozen 12-16 oz water bottles and lie them on the bottom of the cooler as you begin to pack. They act as ice and of course are good to use as they begin to thaw out during your trip.

If you have room for a small block of ice use it. Less surface area over all means less melted ice.

Dry ice is not a good idea for one who sleeps in his rig. It uses/eliminates oxygen in your "closed" rig and could theoretically kill you but works well if you keep the rig ventilated.

Use lots of heavy duty zip lock bags to keep meats/fruit/butter clean and organized.

Keep a large bag of clean ice for your Scotch!

Scott

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/images/products/6273-721_500.jpg

Fun read
Which cooler is the coolest? - By Tom Bartlett - Slate Magazine

I have to say ditto on this one. The Extreme is the best cooler I have owned. I do alot of fishing, and that thing can stay in a hot FJ for most of the day, and still have ice three days later for my Jack!

 

I have both Coleman and Igloo silver 5 day coolers. Both seem to keep ice 4 days if you do not open them much. The Igloo might be a little better, but that may be because it is one of those square ones, which means less outside surface per volume to exchange heat. It also means that it fits better into the back of my FJ.

 

I even had great luck with the a plastic Coleman that held ice for a good 2 days. I've had it for over 20 years, and just put it in the recycling because the lid was starting to crack.

I'll be getting a Coleman stainless to replace it.

 

We have both the Stainless Steel & Extreme Coleman coolers. I use the Stainless Steel for trail rides and used in Moab & Ouray last year, it did great.

I used the Extreme for softball tournaments, alot of ice at the end of the day in 90+ weather.

 

Some quick web surfing that I did also favored the Ultimate Xtreme by Coleman. Some folks buy two medium or small coolers. One is loaded with dry ice and items that don't need quick and easy access and the lid is kept closed 99% of the time. The other cooler uses block ice and is for drinks and items where you might open the lid often.

Cabela sells them as well as this one if you are feeling frisky with your wallet:
Cabela's Outfitter Outback Cooler - 132-Qt.

Galaxy coolers are pricey but claim long term storage too.
Galaxy Coolers - THE TOUGHEST, COLDEST ICEBOX IN THE WORLD!

 

I've had great luck with a 'extreme' cooler I bought from west marine. It's all white with only west marine printed on it but I would guess it's the same type as Colman. It has thick walls and lid when I put a block of ice in it it's good for an honest 4-5 days I also pre freeze what I can and pre chill everything else. 4 to 5 days is pretty damn good here in AZ!
The down side is trying to keep your dry stuff dry and when in Mexico ice is sometimes hard to come by.
I have a few friends with ARB's or Engel units and they sure are nice! To be able to make it a true freezer even in summer is impressive.

But to go from a $35.00 ice chest to a $500-600 unit is a bit of a stretch.

 

I have an Icee Cool that I use on week long raft trips. No problem keeping ice. Engle and some other companies make similar coolers. They are a bit pricy, but if you are going to be away from an ice supply, they are well worth the money. It will make you hate the igloo and coleman coolers you have owned in the past.
Good cooler link:

NRS Home - Camping & More - Coolers

 

If you don't want to spend the $ on a Engel/ARB 12v fridge, but want the convenience of one then you should look at the Waeco. It uses less current, and is cheaper than the Engel/ARB. My in-laws from Australia tipped me off to these, and say they have been using them for years and work excellent in the hot outback!
Although a cool add-on for the Engel/ARB 12v is the Two-Zone attachment, which allows for fridge AND freezer concurrently.

Attached are some specs on the different 12v coolers.

If you don't want to hassle with the 12v or the higher costs, Engel also makes two different performance coolers similar to the Yeti. The Engel Rugged Plastic Coolers and the Engel High Performance Fiberglass Coolers

Engel High Performance Fiberglass Coolers

The ultimate in fiberglass ice boxes.

* Hand made using a durable marine grade gel coat surface, reinforced with fiberglass/ resin.
* Insulated with 2" high density closed cell Polyurethane foam (C.F.C. Free)
* Keeps cold for up to 9-12 days
* Compact, durable & lightweight
* All fittings are securely fixed through the fiberglass shell to an internal galvanized plate, laminated into the cabinet
* Non-absorbent surface will not allow stains or odors to penetrate the cabinet
* Easy to clean
* Dry Ice compatible - dry ice will keep your contents longer without damaging the surface
* Recessed and fiber reinforced nylon handles
* Easily removable lid
* Recessed drain plug
* 3 Year warrantee

Engel Rugged Plastic Coolers

New for 2008 - Engel's line of rugged ice boxes.
Packed with patented award winning features along with Engel's known quality and function...these ice boxes simply out-perform the competitors.

They offer more insulation and more useful features than any other cooler available.

The design and concept originated in Jupiter Florida...know for its' illustrious history in trophy quality Sport-Fishing, these ice boxes are high quality marine grade...designed by fisherman for fishermen.

You will not buy a better cooler!

Features

* 2" Quality Polyurethane insulation
* Seamless construction
* Each model sized to match industry standards for boats
* Non-Skid lid with dual corner locking holes
* Molded hand grip and convenient rope handles
* Large non-skid, non-marking feet designed to keep the cooler from sliding
* Freezer gasket seal
* Unique easy open drain plug
* Cooler drains completely dry when drain plug is opened one turn
* Rugged full length hinge
* Low profile marine grade draw latches
* Easily secures down with most tie-down systems
* Cooler lid is designed to hold State fishing law sticks or your boats name.
* Industry standard cushions fit each model.

 

You may also want to look at the Techni-ICE for your cooler instead of H2O-ICE. This stuff can be super frozen (if you have the means) to dry-ice standards.

Techni-ICE ™ Dry Ice Packs Heavy-Duty Re-usable

This new-technology dry ice pack is the perfect replacement for dry ice! Reusable, it's scientifically proven superior to gel packs, plus other cold packs and ice packs. Just hydrate and freeze.

FEATURES
1. Can stay frozen for days.
2. Doesn't turn back to water, so no more soggy food.
3. Sheets are 11X16 inches (9X13X1 after hydrating) and can be cut to size, as small as 2-inch cubes.
4. Re-usable many times.
5. Better than Dry Ice: Techni-ICE ™ is cheaper, doesn't evaporate, and it's non-toxic, so you can use as much of it as you want for shipping perishables. Dry Ice is limited to 5 pounds by the USPS and most carriers.
6. You can freeze it colder than ice, and even colder than dry ice! (if you can get your freezer that cold) [ever heard of liquid nitrogen ;^ )]
7. The longer you freeze it, the colder it gets -- and the colder it makes your freezer. Put enough sheets of Techni-ICE ™ in your freezer, and it makes your freezer cold enough to be a commercial-grade freezer.
8. Also heats in the microwave to use as a heating pack.

 

I have a swiss Army steel lined all wood food chest. It's meant to serve soldiers on the field, but I use it as an ice chest Bought it at M&I army surplus for 20$ ... When I saw it, I had to buy it, because I served in the Swiss Army and know how long they can keep food hot or cold.

 

The Engel and Yeti type coolers are awesome, they will keep game or fish cold for transport like nothing else.

I just bought the Igloo 120 quart All Terrain cooler at Academy for $99 and it is awesome.

Ice will melt in any cooler after a short time if you are pulling 12oz cans out of it one after another on a hot sunny day!:cheers:

 

Over the years 30+, metal and or plastic I found that several things help prolong the ice in the so called ice chest.

try to use block ice when available and or frozen plastic bottles of water.
try to keep the ice chest covered at all times. I use an old thick sleeping bag.
try dry ice. I wrap a block in an old towel and keep it on top of everything.

 

While researching Techni-Ice I found that they made coolers as well that are on par with the Engel and Yeti, but are much much cheaper. Only problem is that they seem to only ship within Australia, but I haven't confirmed they are not available through different channels.

Techni-Ice Ice Boxes
12L to 1100L

40Ltr + 12Ltr
39 x 56.5 x 37 (cm) (W x L x H)
25 x 38.5 x 27.5 (cm) (W x L x H)
RRP40L12L
$114 incl 8 FREE Techni Ice HDR
ice packs valued at $54

What are the Techni Ice ice packs?
What does HDR mean?
How much do Techni Ice ice packs cost normally?

* Freight: VIC $12, TAS, NSW, QLD & SA $15, $28 anywhere else in Australia by Registered Door to Door Australia Post service.

60 litres
48 x 62.5 x 44.5 (cm) (W x L x H)

$99 incl 6 FREE Techni Ice HDR
ice packs valued at $40

icebox What are the Techni Ice ice packs?
icebox What does HDR mean?
icebox How much do Techni Ice ice packs cost normally?

* Freight: VIC $12, TAS, SA, QLD & NSW $15, $28 anywhere else in Australia by Registered Door to Door Australia Post service.

 

I have also used frozen water bottles (as Gon2Srf mentioned) in the bottom of the cooler, but stumbled upon another interesting way to use this option. (See the article below)
Instead of just freezing plain water put some table salt into the water (1 Tsp per Ltr) and it will last almost 3 times as long. Albeit you can't really drink it after it thaws, but if keeping things cold using home grown solutions is your goal this will help.

 

I have also used frozen water bottles (as Gon2Srf mentioned) in the bottom of the cooler, but stumbled upon another interesting way to use this option. (See the article below)
Instead of just freezing plain water put some table salt into the water (1 TBL per Ltr) and it will last almost 3 times as long. Albeit you can't really drink it after it thaws, but if keeping things cold using home grown solutions is your goal this will help.

That's a good idea, I'll try that next time out with half my water bottles.

 

Our favorite is the Coleman stainless with two blocks of ice. Good for two to three days depending on temp. It has survived four teenagers and a lot of years. Would only trade it for a new one just like it. T&E