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

[bluedog225]

How do you keep the dry ice from imparting a flavor to your food? Last time I used it, all my apples and oranges tasted carbonated (slightly sour).

[Edie]

Hello Bluedog,

We wrap the dry ice (about 2-to 2.5" thick) with newspapers and put it in the bottom of the plastic container. Then we put the block ice on top of that. Then a plastic "tray" goes in on top of the ice. We put smaller food items in that.....like eggs, butter, cheese, avocados, etc, etc. It ends up a tight fit when we close the cooler lid. As you know, the ice blocks can vary in size, so if too big, we just chip it to size. We've never noticed any changes with the food. Maybe wrapping the dry ice with newspapers helps....I don't know. I do know that this set-up keeps the food cool for at least 7 days. The soups, etc, that I make and freeze and put in the main cooler area really helps everything, also. We eat them after 4-5 days. Bon appetit and good luck!

Edie

[rick1025]

I have front reciever hitches on both my vans and Suburban.You can get a bike rack from Thule that flips down for access and holds 4 bikes.I use it in the front. The bikes dont interfere with air flow over the radiator.Also rear recievers. I have a pickup truck bed toolbox bolted to a piece of 2" stell tubing that is weather priif and can hold lots of stuff.When my kids were small we would go on trips and there was always plenty of "hauling" space. rick