12 volt Coolers for groceries in the truck

I got the Coleman one works good keeps sodas cold and sandwiches and leftovers and what not. It does need to be unplugged when the cooler element freezes up to be defrosted. It don't worry it keeps everything cold for awhile. While it defrosts. I would get it at wal mart I think I paid 90 for it and the truckstop was more expensive.

 

I have the Koolatron model that stands like a fridge (I forget the model #). I works pretty good. My wife makes me burritos to take with me and I also pack yogurts and sandwich items.

 

I use the coleman one think it was $80 at wal mart. The problem you run into with the interior fan is when it defrosts the fan gets wet and rusts. I just keep a supply of computer fans and spliced in a molex connector so when a fan goes bad I just remove 2 screws, unplug the old one and plug in a new one. Fan seems to last about 5 months. I keep the plug in an area with decent airflow, it gets warm but doesn't melt.

I just keep my curtain pulled and the ac on in the back and my food stays frosty. I leave home with 2 weeks worth of food, then when I run out stop at wal mart and resupply. I spend about $50/wk for food as opposed to $200/wk eating and buying drinks/snacks at the truck stops.

 

The problem with those 12v coolers is that if you don't keep them almost 3/4 of the way full, the motor and the cooling block will freeze up because they are working too hard. Just like an AC will freeze up sometimes when it is trying to cool a room that is too big for it's rating. If you do get one of these coolers, put something in there to take up the empty space and put your food close to the fan/cooling block. Don't cover or block the fan though or it will freeze up. If it ever freezes up and it seems like it isn't working, more than likely the cooling block is completely frozen and it just needs to be thawed out. Alot of guys will take them back or throw them away but the cooler is still good, just needs to be thawed out.

I almost forgot...don't let the curtain in your truck block the air flow to the fan either..that will make it overheat. It's easy to forget while you're driving, then when you stop you're screwed.

 

I gave up on 12V coolers and just bought a hunting cooler. They cost a lot but you only have to buy ice once a week with mine and never have to worry about something failing or power. The Coleman Xtreme line losttrucker mentioned is by far the best for a limited budget, but still falls just short of the hunting style ones. The Xtreme actually beat out a couple $200-300 coolers in tests I've seen people do on how long ice lasts.

 

I bought one at wal-mart a few hours ago. I have a buddy that changed out the fan/cooler, and he said it's like a real fridge now. I'm hoping mine works well. I'd like to be able to buy 2-3 days worth of lunch meat, and cheese without it going bad.

 

I use a Coleman. Have no major problems with it other than sometimes it freezes my food. Makes it last longer. The fan is easily replaced, as are plugs. I use mine with an AC adapter and inverter. I did have a problem with the 12V plug jarring loose. Believe it or not the plugs and recepticals are not universal. There are slight variations between them all.

 

I usually stock up with 2 weeks worth.

 

What do you guys stock up on?