Me and OH are off away in August to Cornwall after a practice in Norfolk in 2 weeks time(can't wait!). We have most things but need a coolbox. We Won't have elec hookup, and will be leaving the car a lot of the time. Is it better for us to get a 12V coolbox? or will we be better getting a normal type and use loads of ice packs? Also do the 12V type work as a normal cool box as effectively as the other type?
Sorry for all the questions. Our budget is about £40 max. Any suggestions greatfully recieved.
You can buy a 12v coolbox but you can really only run it off your car ciggy socket while the engine is running as it will otherwise drain the battery over the weekend. We only have EHU to run our coolbox (through the transformer) , a kettle, toaster and lighting. Your only other option is to take two sets of ice packs and pay the site to freeze them for you alternating a set each day.
------------- Nigel
March 2012 - Dove Meadows
6th July Moving to Hayle
I would get both a 12v one to be powered while the car is running and a couple of icepacks, if need bee you can always by a couple of bags of peas from the supermarket.
Powered coolboxes are just that, they will make things cooler than ambient, usually by 10-20c, which if you leave the box unpowered, in a hot car for the day, reckon on coming back to some squishy mess in the bottom of the box :( Of course if you dont leave the bo in the car, it wont get any power to chill it. Last year my local asda were doing 12v coolboxes for £25
Until recently nobody used electric coolboxes when camping. Nearly all sites will freeze your icepacks, many of them free and others for a small charge, just don't buy your fresh food too far in advance and you will be ok.
If you look at the Igloo Maxcold or Coleman Extreme coolers these can keep things cold if used properly for up to 5 days. Costco have the Igloo maxcold Icecube on wheels for around £36 all in - it is 70lrs so BIG . We use this even when on ehu - it's a matter of pre-cooling it, putting everything in frozen or very cold along with ice and / ice packs and then keeping the number of times you open it to a minimum. I intend taking this for 9 days to the lakes. I will just go buy a couple of bags of ice every few days and toss them in.
ps - one tip I gt off here is use empty water / coke bottles filled with water and frozen. These have still had mostly ice in them after 4 days.
Don't add warm beer etc if you can help it .. try and buy everything cold. If you can
------------- Christine
2014
April -
BunRoy Fort William 3 sleeps
April / May
Invercaimbe Arisaig 4 sleeps
Bleatarn Brampton tbc July
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: What do I do for a cool box?
