Cooler Vs Refridgerator along with water tanks

[sephiro499]

Seeing as how those fridges have tiny freezer areas and larger fridge areas, what is the point?  I personally think an extreme 5 day cooler is much more versatile than a fridge.  If you bought a box of italian ice would it even fit inside of a DC fridge?  Obtaining and draining an ice box every 5 days is annoying, but at least you get freezer space.  Then again, maybe a freezer isn't all that useful?  

How do you fill water tanks on a camper van with outside outlet?  Can you use a regular hose?  Are water tanks practical in a suburban camping environment, where no rv facilities are located?

 

[jimindenver]

To each their own. We used coolers and a ice box for 20 years, I wouldn't give our fridge up for all the ice in the world.

 

[highdesertranger]

if you are going to rely on ice, it better be cheap and close by. I have camped in areas that to get ice was a full day adventure and it wasn't cheap. I have been to other locations were it would be a 2 day ordeal to get ice fortunately I had my 12v refers by then. right now I have 2 40qt 12v refers. I plan on 1 more to use as a freezer. my goal is to be able to stay out for at least a month without resupply.

as far as the water question. what type of tank do you have? how would you fill it at a RV park? do you have a regular RV tank with a fill door or do you have the portable water jugs? if you have jugs you have all kinds of options vending machines, parks, businesses, etc. if you have a RV tank you can also use portable jugs to fill it, although it's kinda a hassle. another option is to go strait to the local water company most will sell you water. if you use a hose, make sure it's approved for potable water. highdesertranger

 

[Willy]

.. or you could get an Engel/Waeco/Whynter yadda yadda chest cooler/freezer. I have an Engel that holds 40 qt and can get well below 0 degF. ..Willy.

 

[Almost There]

Seeing as how those fridges have tiny freezer areas and larger fridge areas, what is the point?  I personally think an extreme 5 day cooler is much more versatile than a fridge.  If you bought a box of italian ice would it even fit inside of a DC fridge?  Obtaining and draining an ice box every 5 days is annoying, but at least you get freezer space.  Then again, maybe a freezer isn't all that useful?  

How do you fill water tanks on a camper van with outside outlet?  Can you use a regular hose?  Are water tanks practical in a suburban camping environment, where no rv facilities are located?

Even an extreme 5 day cooler will not keep anything frozen. You would have Italian Ice water within a few hours...

And yes, the DC combo fridge freezer unit will hold a box of Italian Ice!

Whether a freezer is useful depends entirely on the lifestyle you choose to lead and your food tastes. Me I won't ever be without actual freezer space - well except for the couple of months from the time I head out to the time I get to Quartzite in January. It's going to be tough on me though... :dodgy:

Water tanks on an RV are generally filled with a garden hose hooked up to any good source of water. Campgrounds have water spigots specifically set up with filler hoses - make sure they say potable water though! Non potable water is meant only for rinsing your sewer hoses with.

If you're living in a suburban camping environment without RV facilities you might end up having to use a funnel and jugs. I did for a winter when the park water was shut off. You can also ask to fill the tanks at the water spigot available at most gas stations.

Carry your own RV hose though, if you intend to drink the water from the tank - although most of us won't use the holding tank for drinking water, only dishes/showers/toilet etc. Some city parks have water taps on the outside of a building, ask and ye might receive. If you're not going to be drinking from the holding tank then yes, a regular garden hose will work. You might want to have the right connector on hand in case the supplied hose doesn't fit. Mine, you just used the open end of the hose shoved down the inlet.

 

[highdesertranger]

Almost There wrote "Water tanks on an RV are generally filled with a garden hose hooked up to any good source of water" I was going to say no no no. but then you cleared it up by saying "Carry your own RV hose though, if you intend to drink the water from the tank". I would like to add, always use a potable water hose(RV hose) just in case you have to drink it. once you use a regular hose you have to flush your tanks to get that awful rubber taste out. highdesertranger

 

[sephiro499]

Ok, it appears a dc is fridge is clearly superior!

 

[66788]

Almost There wrote  "Water tanks on an RV are generally filled with a garden hose hooked up to any good source of water"  I was going to say no no no.  but then you cleared it up by saying  "Carry your own RV hose though, if you intend to drink the water from the tank".  I would like to add,  always use a potable water hose(RV hose) just in case you have to drink it.  once you use a regular hose you have to flush your tanks to get that awful rubber taste out.  highdesertranger

Most green garden hoses are from China and carry a warning of a lead content, and not to drink from them.

RV hoses are usually white in color and are clearly marked as safe to use for drinking water.

I have a Travel Berkey mounted in my Dodge to filter the water from my RV tank before use.

 

[highdesertranger]

potable water hoses are white with a blue stripe. like this http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/never-kink-rv-marine-hose-25-x-5-8-/26203 . however while searching this I found several other potable water hoses that were not white with a blue stripe which I thought was a standard for potable water. so just make sure it's rated for potable water. highdeserranger

 

[akrvbob]

I had two 12 volt compressor fridges, a 65 qt Whytner in my Trailer and a 25 Quart Dometic in my van for summer travel. Last April when I was getting ready for summer travel my Dometic died. It was too late to do anything about it so I've used an ice chest for the last 5 months. What a misery that was compared to a fridge!!!!

NEVER AGAIN!

In the middle of nowhere one time I paid $3.99 for a 7 pound bag of ice! I would have spent $15 in gas to get to the next town, so I paid them the money.

Never again!
Bob

 

[LeeRevell]

Preference rules, depending on your eating habits.  I personally have no use for a freezer when travelling.  Don't need tons of fridge space.  My little Dometic 18L meets my needs fine.  Carries mayo, mustard and some lunchmeat, and a couple other things I need cold.  Most food I use needs no cooling.
Did the ice cooler thing for awhile, found it less desirable and messy.
One truism in coolers/fridges, as with tools, clothes and most other things - the more space you have, the more you will try to fill it.  Keep it small and simple.

 

[wagoneer]

Using my dometic 45 I remove enough items to place a gallon water jug and hit the turbo freeze mode. Then transfer the frozen water to the small yeti, works great.

 

[TMG51]

My little Dometic 18L meets my needs fine.  Carries mayo, mustard and...

I met the condiment needs differently, since mayo especially spoils quickly I didn't want to be subject to food poisoning if the fridge temp dropped too low or something.

Anytime you're in a gas station with one of those serve yourself hot dog stations, fill your pockets with condiment packages.

I always have individual packets of mayo, mustard, ketchup, relish, taco sauce, etc, so I don't have to maintain open bottles in refrigeration.

 

[Almost There]

I met the condiment needs differently, since mayo especially spoils quickly I didn't want to be subject to food poisoning if the fridge temp dropped too low or something.

Anytime you're in a gas station with one of those serve yourself hot dog stations, fill your pockets with condiment packages.

I always have individual packets of mayo, mustard, ketchup, relish, taco sauce, etc, so I don't have to maintain open bottles in refrigeration.

Taking 2 when you only know you need one for on the hot dog or sandwich that you're purchasing is not a problem.

Filling your pockets with condiment packages is actually theft! The store owners pay for those little packages. Help improve our image as vandwellers - btw, we've had the same discussion on a couple of the long distance hiking forums as well!

If you want to use individual servings then by all means order them from someone like here:

http://www.minimus.biz/Condiments.aspx