Yeti coolers?
Are they worth the high price? I have a 20 year old Coleman Extreme that holds ice for 5+ days in high 80s and 90s.
Forum Discussion
I have never seen a Yeti (any sort :D) up close and personal but having read many reviews MIGHT consider buying one (or a Pelican. Or Engels) to use as a fridge in my RV. I do like the fact that certain Yeti models weigh less than a comparable in price Pelican yet is still bear-proof w/ a lock added.
Currently, I own 2 Coleman Extremes: a 50 qt 6 day and a 100 qt 5 day as well as a Igloo MaxiCold 62 qt rated by the manufacturer for 6 days.
I use all of them for my long tenting trips which are between 2 and 3 weeks long for 2 adults and up to 3 childrens' meals daily. I frequently have weekend guests during the trip; normally 2-4 and then there are the parties I give on Independence and Bastille Days. On average there are 12 people in total over the holidays.
I use one Extreme as a fridge; one as a freezer, and the MaxiCold as a drink cooler.
Cannot rate how cold the MaxiCold keeps in comparison to the Extremes since I use it as a beverage cooler and it is entered more than the other coolers. I can say it has the perfect shape for a drink cooler as a bottle of wine can be stored with the cork in it. I can also say it has some serious design flaws such as a inset drain located in the center back behind the "I don't trust it to hold all the weight of a full cooler" telescopic handle. And the wheels that don't really move and cannot make a simple 45 degree turn when loaded. Yet I digress because we are not talking about that particular manufacturer's hunk of junk as ill conceived as this model sold at Costco's at a weally good price which should have made me wonder instead of jumping on it as a steal is ;).
Back to the Extremes. Bottom line I still have at least slushy ice at the bottom of both coolers at the end of the trip. Sometimes, on the last day, I still have make ahead dishes that are fully frozen. Depends on a lot of variables. Normally I replenish the ice every 3 days and it can be a combo of block and cubed ice or just one style. The weather helps me to decide and I should note that my long trips take place in a beach environment with little shade.
Bottom line? Coleman Extreme series gives you great bang for your money and you should choose what brand of cooler to buy by your usage. I'm only considering a more expensive cooler IF I can access it easier and it's more bear proof which the Extremes (and MaxiCold) are not.
HTH
Ohhh and stay away from Thermos coolers which are only good for day trips. Especially that barrel shaped version marketed for beverages with the thin plastic liner that can be pierced by a bottle opener. My life has been filled with cooler field tests....
Currently, I own 2 Coleman Extremes: a 50 qt 6 day and a 100 qt 5 day as well as a Igloo MaxiCold 62 qt rated by the manufacturer for 6 days.
I use all of them for my long tenting trips which are between 2 and 3 weeks long for 2 adults and up to 3 childrens' meals daily. I frequently have weekend guests during the trip; normally 2-4 and then there are the parties I give on Independence and Bastille Days. On average there are 12 people in total over the holidays.
I use one Extreme as a fridge; one as a freezer, and the MaxiCold as a drink cooler.
Cannot rate how cold the MaxiCold keeps in comparison to the Extremes since I use it as a beverage cooler and it is entered more than the other coolers. I can say it has the perfect shape for a drink cooler as a bottle of wine can be stored with the cork in it. I can also say it has some serious design flaws such as a inset drain located in the center back behind the "I don't trust it to hold all the weight of a full cooler" telescopic handle. And the wheels that don't really move and cannot make a simple 45 degree turn when loaded. Yet I digress because we are not talking about that particular manufacturer's hunk of junk as ill conceived as this model sold at Costco's at a weally good price which should have made me wonder instead of jumping on it as a steal is ;).
Back to the Extremes. Bottom line I still have at least slushy ice at the bottom of both coolers at the end of the trip. Sometimes, on the last day, I still have make ahead dishes that are fully frozen. Depends on a lot of variables. Normally I replenish the ice every 3 days and it can be a combo of block and cubed ice or just one style. The weather helps me to decide and I should note that my long trips take place in a beach environment with little shade.
Bottom line? Coleman Extreme series gives you great bang for your money and you should choose what brand of cooler to buy by your usage. I'm only considering a more expensive cooler IF I can access it easier and it's more bear proof which the Extremes (and MaxiCold) are not.
HTH
Ohhh and stay away from Thermos coolers which are only good for day trips. Especially that barrel shaped version marketed for beverages with the thin plastic liner that can be pierced by a bottle opener. My life has been filled with cooler field tests....
