Need Camping Fridge Recommendations

If your trips are less than a week, dry ice is cheap, colder and leaves no mess. Using it in combination with water ice works for a few extra days but not for extended periods like ACDC models. Use the drain to get rid of excess water, that's what it's for. Unless you camp for longer periods at a time in remote areas or frequently, an expensive unit just isn't worth all that money. Like a lot of stuff you can live without, unless you really do actually need it, then don't cheap out on it.

 

Yeah, most always less than a week for sure. Never even thought of using dry ice.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/dometic-group-buy-2-0.622927/#post-21260283

 

Thx but no thanks. $$$ I ain’t willing to spend

 

Don't wanna kinda drop a bomb in the CSI fridge thread (so posting here), but we know they are all a chinese rebranded fridge. It's a great opportunity for those that can re brand and market product.
Tuff stuff was mentioned in that thread as an example that's twice-ish the cost. I found the costway which is cheaper than the CSI, for $400. Very close.

COSTWAY Car Refrigerator, 55-Quart Dual-zone Electric Cooler with Shockproof, LCD Display, 12V/24V DC, 100-240V AC, -4°F to 50°F, Portable Car Fridge for RV Truck Travel Home Camping Vehicles, Gray

https://www.amazon.com/Costway-Portable-Refrigerator-Electric-Camping（-4°F/dp/B07CG4Q1YJ

EDIT:
Look at the smittybilt... same fridge as well.
CSI
Tuffstuff
Costway
Smittibilt.

All appear to be exact same, fluctuation in price.

 

I've had the CSI for about 8 months now. It's been in use constantly either in my garage or in the bed of my truck.
No issues whatsoever. I'm very glad I bought it.

Cheers

 

IMO the only reason to pay more for a fridge on that list is if there is more guarantee to customer service. It would suck if you buy the costway and it fails a couple days later, you might never be warrantied or see ur money again. It all comes down to warranty and customer service since they're all the same it seems.

 

Thanks! Extremely helpful. Have you found which is cheapest?

 

What about the Alpicool? Same thing also?

 

Not sure. That list I posted they all look identical if you google them. They just get rebranding.
The alpicool looks a little different? I couldn't find a 52 quart so I would say its different than the list I posted.
EDIT: The alpicool 58 quart looks similar, but its slightly different looking.

 

The Alpicool CF55 58 Quart model is a killer price right now on Amazon. I purchased one and it's on my way to me now.

$315 Alpicool CF55 Portable Freezer,12 Volt Refrigerator, 58 Quart (55 Liter) Fast Cooling 12V Car Fridge Freezer -4℉~68℉, Car Cooler, 12/24V DC and 100-240V AC for Outdoor, Camping, RV, Truck, Boat

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L34Z6PZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Been pleased with my CSI so far. Quality seems good. Only had it for a few months and had it out couple of times. I like to freeze my ice packs to refrigerate the rotomolded cooler. Ice is not usually the preferred method but good to have for my rum and cola.

 

OP have you made a decision yet? I’m curious what you landed on.

 

Love my Indel B [TruckFridge is dealer in USA]. I have the small one which is DC only but larger portables have DC and AC. Very efficent. It sits on floor of my camper and I have driven it on some of the nastiest roads in Death Valley and SoCal. It has been running great for over two years. It runs off a house battery which is charged via roof solar and truck alternator while driving. Not clear how you will keep it running when not driving without risk of draining your truck battery.

 

I bought one of those costway/ smitty/ arctic 54 quart fridges before a big trip last summer. Paid a little over $300 for it, and I've seen versions of it got for as low as $250 on eBay. They are all the same.

Mine is still going strong 16+ months later. I've used it for two big trip through Utah, camping in and around Montana, Idaho, Oregon. I've been using it constantly for the past two months while working (I am employed by the BLM and live on site)

At a price so significantly less than a "name brand" I can't recommend it enough. At this point I'm just waiting for it to die as it's "cheap Chinese junk" but damn thing keeps on keepin my beer cold

 

Koolatron reviewed here may be of interest to OP:
https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/camping-and-hiking/best-powered-cooler

 

Just purchased mine off costco on sale now by blizzard box paid 500 sale ends today 200 off https://www.costco.com/blizzard-box-12v110v-41-quart-portable-cooler.product.100505019.html

 

Also purchased a Duracell generator gas less paid 500 for that so I’m not running off truck battery https://www.costco.com/duracell-powersource-660.product.100573682.html

Spent good money but I figure now I’m all set both fit w my seat down on my double cab back seat

 

Looks like you got a good deal on the fridge!

Just FYI....
You may already know, but you'll only be able to run that fridge for roughly 20-30hs from that battery before the battery may be damaged.

Enjoy the fridge!

Cheers

 

Well thank god to Costco bc they stand behind what they sell you