Layout for extended touring, not off-roading -- suggestions? - Page 3

**BroncoHauler** · 02-09-2010, 10:09 PM

FWIW, Igloo makes a 50qt MaxCold ice chest that might work for you. I have one and am happy with it, though I did just get a 12V, 43qt portable freezer/refrigerator as well.

http://www.igloocoolers.com/products/FullSize/MaxCold

Herb

Greg In Austin · 02-10-2010, 08:42 AM

I think the 50 qt Maxcold is about the same external size as the standard 54 qt. We have 2 of the 54 qt but they have never seen the SMB.

GreyDawg · 02-10-2010, 07:22 PM

Thanks for the cooler suggestions! I've been snooping around the Maxcold page and have discovered the Ice Cube (70qt) which might work nicely if I swap a couple of cabinets that I have planned (but fortunately not built yet!). I'll have to remove the wheels, but that shouldn't be much of hassle at all.

I do have preference for the Coleman for two reasons: (1) the drain plug is threaded (no chance of popping off, and you can attach a drain hose), and there is a drainage channel in the bottom leading to the plug, so you don't have to tilt the chest to drain it.

But if an Igloo fits, that seals the deal.

I guess I'll make a cardboard template tomorrow and do a test fit!

Cheers!

**BroncoHauler** · 02-10-2010, 07:42 PM

The drain plug on my MaxCold is threaded. FWIW, mine is about 8-9 years old, so I can't vouch that it hasn't changed. Mine also has a depression on the inside near the drain, but I'll have to look regarding the channels.

Herb

GreyDawg · 02-10-2010, 07:49 PM

Yes, some of the MaxColds are described with a threaded drain-plug, and others with a "triple snap" drain-plug.

If the template fits, I'll track one down and have a look.

**BroncoHauler** · 02-10-2010, 08:22 PM

No drain channels, but the final 5-6 inches before the drain is sloped.

Herb

**BroncoHauler** · 02-11-2010, 12:35 PM

I did see that Igloo offers a replacement threaded drain plug on their website. It's only listed under their Marine coolers section, but I'd be very surprised, and dissapointed, if it were different from one cooler to another.

http://www.igloo-store.com/product_deta ... =marineacc

Herb

GreyDawg · 02-11-2010, 06:31 PM

Herb --

Thanks so much for all the digging about Igloo coolers! It was bucketing rain here today, so I didn't get out to the van to test my "cardboard Igloos" but with your good information in hand, I'm now leaning toward Igloo instead of Coleman (especially if I have a good place to carry the Igloo form factor!)

Cheers,
Meredith

LenS · 02-14-2010, 12:00 PM

FYI...

Our ice chest sets over the house battery box between the drivers seat and vertical cabinet I installed last year. Held down with buckling straps.

The ice chest has always been a bother to empty the water out of. So I is normally only done when getting another block of ice and then only when the contents in the lower section are floating. And of course when things start to float they can turn up side down and in some cases leak a little. The water that accumulates in the bottom can get REAL funky.

Last summer I added a continuous drain hose to the chest through the drain cap. Routed the hose through a small hole in the vans floor behind the drivers seat. IT WORKS GREAT. We just have to add ice as needed . Cleaning the chest out after a 3-4 week trip and the side walls and bottom were clean and NOT at all slimmey (sp). Not food got contaminated with dirty water while on the trip.

Wish we had done it years ago.

Edie · 02-14-2010, 07:34 PM

I should have mentioned in my previous post that our ice block sits on top of some dry ice, BUT, they're in a plastic container, so the water never gets into the main part of the cooler. I forget what I made it from, but it was some kind of Rubbermaid container, (or similar), but it fits perfectly without it's top, in the cooler. I remember I had to cut some of the top off. It really does help to extend the cooling life to keep the ice water in, as long as possible. I hope this helps....

Edie