Cheapest, smallest fridge or coolbox?

[Phil1]

Hi all, I have a panel van which I’ve converted to a kombi (just the double seat) and plan to do a conversion enough for a long weekend away. I’m on a budget as I’m not sure if things will work out yet as we’ve not camped for years and we now have a 17 month old son…which creates a lot more creative thinking.

I’m going with a sideward bench/bed behind the seats which slides out. Opposite I’m going to build a unit over the passenger side wheel arch for storage and a “fridge”.

I’d like to include something that will keep the basics cold enough to cook a meal or two AFTER arriving at a campsite with electric hookup. Hopefully keep milk etc fresh enough for a weekend. I’m only installing mains initially.

Edit: If things workout then I will be adding a leisure battery later on.

I’d rather have something fixed (or can be placed pretty securely) which I know limits my options due to size above the wheel arch, is there anything out there which would work?

Would a standard desktop fridge work such as those designed for a few cans?

Any help appreciated.

 

[Kind of Blue]

Well its getting cool enough outside here 3.5C at he moment perhaps a deg cooler as the thermometer is just outside against front window. Have you looked about in the forum. I suppose looking for smallest is a little difficult but their must be many different types. It might come under cooler or something related to bear cooler.

 

[Kind of Blue]

Have a look at

Search results for query: beer cooler

www.t6forum.com

Search results for query: small fridge

www.t6forum.com

 

[Phil1]

Thanks, yeah I’ve had a search but they all seem to be either a camping fridge 12/240v which are pricey or a portable.

I guess what I’m asking is, is there any reason why a cheap Russell Hobbs worktop type 240v mini fridge wouldn’t be suitable?

Thanks

 

[Bargy62]

@Phil1 I would have thought if you go 240v only you will not be chilling anything whilst travelling or if you went out for the day If you went 12v only you can get a 240v/12v adaptor for on site although most nowadays are both 240v and 12v

 

[TrevorK]

…or use a portable power station.

I am not sure how long a table top fridge would last being bounced around in a van?

A 12/240v coolbox would be more resilient, could be cooled on the move, and taken indoors to clean and pack, and without too big an outlay.

 

[AeonMach]

Hi all, I have a panel van which I’ve converted to a kombi (just the double seat) and plan to do a conversion enough for a long weekend away. I’m on a budget as I’m not sure if things will work out yet as we’ve not camped for years and we now have a 17 month old son…which creates a lot more creative thinking.

I’m going with a sideward bench/bed behind the seats which slides out. Opposite I’m going to build a unit over the passenger side wheel arch for storage and a “fridge”.

I’d like to include something that will keep the basics cold enough to cook a meal or two AFTER arriving at a campsite with electric hookup. Hopefully keep milk etc fresh enough for a weekend. I’m only installing mains initially.

Edit: If things workout then I will be adding a leisure battery later on.

I’d rather have something fixed (or can be placed pretty securely) which I know limits my options due to size above the wheel arch, is there anything out there which would work?

Would a standard desktop fridge work such as those designed for a few cans?

Any help appreciated.

Ignore electric totally and just get a decent insulated coolbox (and then you don’t need to pay for EHU either!).
A decent one (still cheaper than an electric fridge/cookbox I would imagine) will keep stuff cold for the weekend - especially if topped up with ice…

I use a Yeti one - and we managed through heat of the summer on a month long trip to Norway and back!
(We just occasionally re-froze our ice blocks at campsites but more often just bought a bag of ice in a supermarket and tipped it in. About a quid a pop. And you have ice for your drinks.)

 

[Phil1]

Thanks for the feedback! All being well I’m collecting a portable coolbox tomorrow from another member on here! It has 12v and 240v so hopefully allows me options and time to figure it out!