Koolatron Compact 12 volt cooler

They're a nice option...for those that don't have a built-in refrigerator like I do

I have a brand new Koolatron still in the box as a backup just in case.

 

My Cascadia has a built in fridge, but it sucks. It burned up within a year, so the shop replaced it last weekend. After I realized how difficult it was to reach while driving, I bought an Igloo 12V for about $100 at a TA. I didn't even turn the new fridge on...

 

Too bad. My fridge works great.

 

I've run the Igloo for at least a year, never any problems. I take it home every weekend and wipe it out, after all the cold stuff goes in the house fridge. Plug it in in my pickup on the way to and from work, as well as stopping at the grocery store.

 

I have both a fridge and a cooler. My food and frozen stuff stays in the fridge in the sleeper, and I cool down a cooler load of drinks on my 10, then toss them in the cooler for easy reaching while driving. I've had 2 Koolatrons (just bought a new one). The 1st one got damaged when I had it stored in my shop when switching companies...so Peelot's points bought me a new one.

 

I have a few of the coolatron units. A large one. used to keep foods cold, the other os a smaller one used for beverages. both from points.

Some things that have worked for me.

Don't put the cooler directly on the floor.
I have some hard foil sided insulation under both units. Keeps the heat away.

In the warm months, I set them so an A/C vent is aimed right at the thermocooler unit. Colder that is, the colder they will be inside.

 

Those small Koolatran units didn't chill stuff well enough for me.. I used to get a igloo at loves or pilot when they were on sale for $99 or at walmart.. they lasted almost a year and worked great.. the last 3 years I've had the built in refrig/ freezer combo unit and have loved it! You have to defrost it and give it a shut down every month or so for a couple of days to keep it in good working order, tho..