Van Life Essentials- How to Make a Cheap Cooler for Your Van

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It's July and much of the country is sweltering in heat, what better time to learn how to make a $10 super-cooler!? Today, we meet Bob who took some things he had at home, bought a $10 sheet of insulation, stirred in some imagination, and out popped this brilliant super-cooler. It was so simple anyone can do it and make one for themselves. Very quickly you will get your money back in savings on ice!
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Опубликовано:

1 окт 2024

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Комментарии : 173

@DirtRoadGroceryStore 7 лет назад

Removing melt water speeds melting.

@stevedrawdy2532 5 лет назад

Yep, water is very lazy, air is not.

@jjm9902 2 года назад

I did not know this. Thanks!

@ForgingFreedomTV 7 лет назад

Brilliant prototype!! Love it when creative people engage their brain. Well done 👍

@ChemtrailsAreKillingUs 7 лет назад

That's a good idea. Thanks for sharing it. If you wanted to do large sheets but no way to transport whole sheet, cut it in the parking lot down to manageable sizes then put in your vehicle to transport.

@lorismith3072 7 лет назад

He's left with so little space although he says it's enough for him. If you needed more space, how about using the Coleman and insulate the exterior? Use several layers sandwiched together to make a base that's bigger than the Coleman. Then make a 5 sided box that can be slipped over the Coleman and sit on top of the base. Gives you the full capacity of the cooler you already have and be able to drain it easier. Just a thought.

@pearlllllgarcia 7 лет назад

Yes, with XPS foam board/closed cell spray foam, 2-3" equal to a roto/high end cooler. A sail boat ice box will have 6" or more. Certainly would improve on a Coleman and much cheaper.

@barkmanden2963 7 лет назад

your the sage on this task !!!

@dltooley 6 лет назад

Good idea.

@fishhuntadventure 3 года назад

I’m pretty thrifty but in my ways of thinking if I spent $100 to make a super insulated ‘ice cheat’ it would be worth it and be way more insulated than a yeti profit center

@MegaPAYITFORWARD 7 лет назад

More like $30.00 2 tubs , insulation and foam...!

@garyanderson9467 7 лет назад

I use block ice. It lasts a hell of a lot longer.

@jesusthehustler1937 3 года назад

I like the way he says "you know garbage" 😂😂😂

@BlaneysChannel 7 лет назад

Coleman does make a cooler called the Extreme which works really well. They are under $50. Not taking away from this guys idea though. His cooler seems to work to his needs. Thanks for the video.

@sharongypsydove8396 7 лет назад

Solo Roamin' Video yes the Coleman Xtreme coolers keep ice and then for up to 7 Days in 90 degree Heat I have three of them in varying sizes I love them I had a 52-quart I used for seven years in my Expediting van took my jump seat out and had it sitting on the floor where the front seat went on a piece of foam so it wasn't sitting on the warm floor boards especially the amount of driving I did and sitting next to the dog house where the engine is I kept a piece of foam between it and then my dog had his bed on top of it the ice used to last for days and days and when I would go to drain the water off because I always kept my cooler real clean inside my dog would drink the cold water..

@pearlllllgarcia 7 лет назад

Coleman coolers for the price they are an excellent idea. And you can add insulation. Some of the roto coolers do hold ice longer and are very durable. If you are camping in the desert, over time they are worth it. Techniice and Siberian Alpha are real nice coolers.

@BlaneysChannel 7 лет назад

Pearll Garcia One of the outdoor forums I visit did a trial on several different brands of coolers. In comparing cost and how long they kept ice, the Coleman Extreme won. Beating out those $300 and $400 coolers. I have had mine a good 15 years. I have replaced the hinges once. I don't work for Coleman by the way.

@pearlllllgarcia 7 лет назад

Colemans are pretty poorly built now, maybe 15 years ago they were better. Bad lid seal, cheap wheels. Coleman stoves are not what they used to be. The cooler in the $100 to 200 range are a much better deal. I just think if you are having to buy ice ever week, the roto coolers are not really that expensive. Does our average camper need one? Maybe not. "Coolers on sale" has a mind numbing number of cooler tests.

@Debrasvantasticjourney 7 лет назад

What if you took a large cooler and did the same thing? I.E. drop a smaller size plastic container into the cooler after spraying foam insulation? In effect you just doubled the insulation. You could still make the fitted top with insulation. I am going to look at thrift shops for a used cooler and try it. I love the way he drains the melted ice off. I'm going to adopt that idea.

@pearlllllgarcia 7 лет назад

Only drawback really is loosing space. A 50 qt cooler with 1' insulation added has 60% of the capacity. I would love to make a cooler with 6" of insulation like sailors use but it would be 3 or 4x the size.

@JFrow83 3 года назад

The dog🥰🥰 and u

@pearlllllgarcia 7 лет назад

Keep cooler off ground/floor. For air flow, which is cooler than ground/floor. Damp white towel over cooler. Block ice made at home in chest freezer is much colder than store bought ice, lasts longer. Foam pad/cardboard over ice in cooler to protect ice from warm air, especially in cheaper coolers.

@peterdarr383 4 года назад

The "coldness" comes from the phase-change of melting more so than how actually cold the ice is. If not, you could just use cold gravel or metal for refrigeration.

@w1nterk643 3 года назад

@@peterdarr383 the "coldness" does not come come from the phase change the phase change is when the h2o molecules absorb more energy from the outside, the "coldness is already in the ice because it has less energy also the quicker a phase change happens the less "coldness" so if you can prevent a phase change you will have more "coldness" you have and the temp of the ice does make a difference as if you have salt water ice or dry ice the "coldness" is far greater, also it is most certainly not the phase change that prevents people using metal or gravel for refrigeration but im not going to bore you with that

@MonkeyKong21 2 года назад

i've been thinking about putting fur on the outside of my cooler; i bet it would double the insulation, plus i could joke around calling it the SASQUATCH and offering to sell it for $500

@Drakkanna69 2 года назад

I thought you were going to write you were selling your "hairy box" 🤔

@damascus2246 3 года назад

Doing a class project for who can keep it cool the longest. I won. thanks CheapRVliving.

@vanmamawannabe6360 7 лет назад

Nice man! Smart, too.

@caroldodson237 7 лет назад

Thank you Bob! A great idea! I'm going to try this out with an old Coleman ice chest I have! The last road trip we took we spent a fortune on ice over a 3 month period. We weren't going to do an ice chest this time but now you've shown us a great solution! Thanks and keep the videos coming please. We are learning so much because of people like you! You're an RV humanitarian. You've helped so many people out. You're amazing!

@CheapRVliving 7 лет назад

Thank you so much for your kind words, Carol. I hope it works for you!

@justonemore514 7 лет назад

all that wasted space and a big ordeal just to have a cooler with only enough space to hold two packs of Bologna. seems a little silly. Food like Bologna and hot dogs are loaded with so many preservatives you can leave it on a picnic table all weekend and still eat it. That cooler wouldn't hold enough beer to last me two hours.

@warriorfortruth2838 7 лет назад

ya cancer causing food

@algray2604 7 лет назад

bob I love saving money,, necessity is the mother of invention really shines here. thank you.

@susannminall7456 7 лет назад

Nifty idea!

@Kaufeetimevideo 7 лет назад

This man has some imagination, great use of brain cells. Would wrapping the box using "Reflectix" help?

@pearlllllgarcia 7 лет назад

Easy to make a reflectix cozy. But surround with XPS foam is much better. Reflectix needs a air gap to work OK

@Abundanthealthcoach 7 лет назад

Kaufeetimevideo Reflectix cozy would work in addition to the hard foam. I've built several camping items out of reflectix for cool pots, small coolers, cups, etc.

@smokum0 7 лет назад

Ya great use of his last 22 brain cells he has left

@robertallen231 6 лет назад

..lol..

@briandarnell2226 7 лет назад

He has more time than money. He's a wealthy man!

@wesallen4228 7 лет назад

Necessity is the mother of invention and he get a great job. Save a lot of money ever day on ice. How cool. lol

@PrairieNightMoon 7 лет назад

Van dwellers are so creative!

@yenidenben8335 7 лет назад

search " molded insulated shipping containers "

@pearlllllgarcia 7 лет назад

Yeti, overpriced, has 2" on sides and bottom. 3" on top. RTIC is a copy of Yeti for 1/2 price. Techniice {Australian}, currently on sale, and Sierra Alpha have the most insulation at 2.7". Stanley makes a good 30 qt cooler for $150. Any cooler with added XPS foam board insulation outside will probably perform as well as the higher priced coolers, except in durability/bear proof.

@fishhuntadventure 3 года назад

I’m just thinking again that 240Ah of storage and 300W of panel gets more attractive all the time. I’m just thinking again that 240Ah of storage and 300W of panel gets more attractive all the time.

@tree.65 7 лет назад

Very smart and creative! Especially when you go a price those 5 day coolers. Thanks Bob for another informative video.

@hotheadedjoelhaha 7 лет назад

Hi Bob! Have you Ever seen an air conditioner made from a cooler? 2 holes need to be cut. 1 for a small 4 inch fan(pointing down)towards the ice. The second hole for a 4 inch dryer vent pipe for the air to flow Out of. A great air conditioner for a small camper. Uses hardly Any electricity at all.

@HelloL.G. 2 года назад

Wow thanks for such a great video! I love the different variations of materials that were recommended. Maybe something similar can be made using a plastic bucket and the spray foam? Maybe measure out what necessary space the food will take up and then probably go from there.

@daxc1972 7 лет назад

Bob's voice sounds like Newt Gingrich.... Is that really Newt in disguise?

@patchandler9768 7 лет назад

Just sayin, I feel sure that Newt Gingrich never plays outside!

@DeliberateNRandom 4 года назад

What about using melamine or plastic cardboard and maybe some pallet wood for a frame for the handles? Make it light but super durable. I'd drill a hole and add a hose with a cap on the inside, silicone it in. Maybe one of those crazy flexible sippy straws with the cap on it. That way you could attach it up on the side if it's long enough. A petcock may be more difficult to source, or steal one off a cheap cooler and plumb it.

@khione8044 2 года назад

You mentioned a Yeti, but don't forget the Artic! It is the SAME exact cooler, same patent, same everything; but only half the price!

@fpchauvette9664 Год назад

The "reflective surface is made with a specific sort of material like paper. Real metal reflects light, however stores heat. Not for long, yet long enough that with insulation on the reverse side can keep temperatures within a metalic structure such as "stainless steel appliance" at reasonable and tolerable levels in minimum to moderate climate, and protect better than not in extreme climates. This does NOT account for humidity.. another completely different element to deal with. Thanks so much for your offering. Good idea, good thinking. (I'll take a moment to add .. as long as the one using the material also disposes of the same, properly, but not direct it at anyone in particular so they don't think I'm degrading them any.)

@jbstocktalk 2 года назад

1lb per day sounds like a slow melt, but what we don't know is what the air temperature is, surrounding the cooler. If it was 110deg like it is in AZ, that is amazing, but these guys are wearing warm closes, so I'm thinking the air is already cold outside the cooler.

@TonyStagge 7 лет назад

Is that Newt Gingrich in disguise? Sounds just like him!

@brudevold62 Год назад

Would wrapping the outside box with reflective bubble wrap add more insulation value?

@Abundanthealthcoach 7 лет назад

The best thing to do is use paver sized dry ice on the bottom and then put a 4 inch layer of ice on top. The dry ice will freeze the ice and it will stay frozen/cold for 8 days.

@tomg7008 7 лет назад

WTF,really,buy a cooler already,put two of those crapy Styrofoam coolers inside of each other,this vid is nuts.

@Lovelace069 7 лет назад

Thanks for the name of the foam.

@GenialHarryGrout 7 лет назад

Great idea

@RockStudioLive 2 года назад

More storage space? Put the insulation on the outside of the plastic tub. But nice job. A pound of ice daily loss is than my Yeti!

@karenbehymer3634 7 лет назад

WOW! Tight budget - this will work for me! That's just brilliant. Thank you!

@JamesRockefeller45 Год назад

Great job but sacrifice top thickness for bottom thickness is backwards

@laurielovelove7071 7 лет назад

How many batteries would it take to run an air conditioner? Seriously. And how much solar power to run those batteries?

@elverdad6805 5 лет назад

Thank you for posting this!

@dougsmith4999 7 лет назад

Ice up for free at motels on the road. Nobody knows who is staying there. Use the pool shower sauna and hot tube while your there

@Joanne88z 2 года назад

5 pound ice last 7 days. It’s far better than most of products.

@ramvanbobby3889 7 лет назад

nice

@miller12z 7 лет назад

nice idea but not enough food storage. Thanks Bob.

@Mike6StringsIn 6 лет назад

He never said how long it held the ice only that the coleman worked for 24 hours?

@jjm9902 2 года назад

Clear tub great idea. Could drill holes and spray in more foam where needed.

@Desertvanlife 7 лет назад

This is a repeat ? When does the new season start ?

@kylnj8331 7 лет назад

very interesting! have you ever figured the cost/effect vs 'portable freezer' in the long run? thanks

@kevinmcmullen6527 3 года назад

you can pour salt on your ice water and it will refreeze to make it last longer

@danssv8 4 года назад

You got enough ice for your Whiskeys

@ChasinSimplicity 7 лет назад

Another thought would be to get those portable ice makers that are about $90-$100 and recycle the water as it melts from his cooler into the ice maker and refreeze it. Would save from buying bags of ice, but something you would have to carry around...

@wildak8246 7 лет назад

OK Why didn't he put the insulation on the outside instead so he would have more inside space for use.

@Ekinnajay 7 лет назад

Probably limited in space. If he's living in that vehicle, that's the likely cause.

@CheapRVliving 7 лет назад

To put things in perspective many of the nomads I know have no or limited solar, space is limited to their vehicle, and we travel to places that might have one gas station or travel stop within a reasonable drive, often with limited supplies. Dry ice and block ice are not necessarily available. Which is why I think Bob's cooler idea is so great.

@HarryBalsak 7 лет назад

I used to see block ice all of the time, but I never see it anymore here in CA

@HoneyBerighthere-Saysarath Год назад

Do that same idea for the van....

@cobyteune 7 лет назад

Literally this is a cool idea. But maybe it also can be a hot idea? You could also use it as a haykist, you cook your food for a minute and put is for a couple of hours in such a haykist. Bless you!

@pearlllllgarcia 7 лет назад

Thermal/Insulated Cookers are a great way to save fuel. All you have to do is bring to a boil for a bit and then put in thermal cooker.

@TicklerDude 7 лет назад

Freeze salt water in plastic jugs and put into your cooler. Frozen salt water is 29F and when it melts, there is no cleanup, just refreeze when you get home. Total cost is less than $1.

@CheapRVliving 7 лет назад

That's a great idea for anyone who has a freezer with enough space for the jugs.

@jamesledbetter6107 8 месяцев назад

A great idea, thank you so much

@annettefournier9655 7 лет назад

Cool! Unintentional pun.

@Thegoonmaster555 Год назад

This guy is way to wholesome for us!!

@dberry99 4 года назад

If you insulate the lid it will work a lot better.

@porkchop1343 3 года назад

Little paint would look better.

@tillmansomethinrother296 7 лет назад

I took a $2.99, styrofoam cooler and wrapped it with Formula tape, I found in a dumpster. Works great, and it's rugged. I keep it closed up with a bungee strap.

@put_istine 3 года назад

Just buy styrofoam thermo box for medicine and ice cartridges. The insulation is excellent, the ice cartridges are easy to change/freeze again and that solves the water problem (and there is more space). It also very cheap. I used it when I went to the beach in the hottest sun and it kept the temperature up all day (fresh and cold fruits, drinks, food).

@davidleigh443 2 года назад

Hi Bob, great ingenuity with the homemade insulated cooler, but now 4 years later, unless you have all the materials at home, it does not seem like a viable economical option. Today, I believe that 4x8 sheet is $60, $10! A cooler and Rubbermaid tub insert is probably $$40 to $55, then there is crack sealer. A lifetime 55 qt cooler at Walmart is about $100. Phyllis Bickford has an excellent video on H.O.W.A. demonstrating how many foods we normally refrigerate that can be shelf stable. That cuts down on necessary ice and cooler size. That is also especially important if one that does not have or want a solar refrig.

@rammerron2460 3 года назад

Freeze pop bottles for ice

@flatbedtruckingsamrides.9355 7 лет назад

Bonderful idea'r, been rather disappointed in the 12v coolers.

@Frantic618 7 лет назад

Ice cubes have more surface exposed for melting. A solid block has much less exposed surface.

@CheapRVliving 7 лет назад

You are absolutely correct. Blocks of ice are not available everywhere though.

@KonaChuck22 6 лет назад

Shilodog Smith But I would imagine block ice is less effective at cooling the air/food inside the cooler because there is less surface area to absorb heat from its surroundings.

@rurunner3451 4 года назад

Do not pump the cold water out!

@smokum0 7 лет назад

Sounds like Red Green

@KRYSISJAG 4 года назад

waste of space if you ask me

@Rudpatud 2 года назад

The original Yeti

@BrendaBodwin 6 лет назад

Pretty neet.

@fishhuntadventure 3 года назад

I’m just thinking again that 240Ah of storage and 300W of panel gets more attractive all the time.

@Ont785 2 года назад

Just bought an old propane cooler… Works fantastic! Brilliant use of materials; going to make one too; just for ice!

@mogulsmoke2428 7 лет назад

Bob, nice to meet you. I am enjoying your channel. I love RV ing and have a tiny 17 foot Skyline trailer to pull behind my 2008 Saturn vue. I towes it just fine with the 6 cylinder. Look forward to seeing more videos. Thanks

@Abundanthealthcoach 7 лет назад

I built one using a large older Cooler so I'd have lots of room. Have a video on my channel. I added mold resistant kitchen & bathroom caulking to seal my insulation and drain hole. We just went camping & I borrowed our neighbors Yeti- hated it. Too heavy and hard to move around-and this was a smaller one. You can also use reflectix on top for a more flexible insulated cover. This is a much lighter solution

@K9River 7 лет назад

I would have staggered the ends more to further reduce thermal breaks.

@pepeluke5911 3 года назад

Really nice idea 🙏

@genebishop7856 7 лет назад

I have a LARGE cooler I bought from Walmart during a hurricane last year. I wonder what R value I would get if I did this or sprayed Great Stuff in the cooler?

@pearlllllgarcia 7 лет назад

Not on inside as then is has to be a water proof job. More difficult. Mold problems etc. For a simple job, inside could maybe be surrounded with reflectix insulation. easy to take out and dry. Still mold is nasty stuff. Outside, pieces all around and top bottom too. XPS Foam has the best r value of 6.5"/inch. Closed cell spray foam about the same. Good coolers have 2-3 inches. One tip if cutting XPS foam by hand is with a very sharp utility blade that you have heated up. It makes for a clean cut. Part of it is doing precise cuts as the over all seal of cooler is important, i.e. tight fitting lid to stop hot air. Like on the expensive roto coolers, very tight lid seal. A reflectix insulation cozy helps too. Cut to fit a foam pad, cardboard, newspaper, to lay over ice. Helps keep hot air off ice. So yeah, a 1 or 2 inches would make a huge difference, like a new cooler difference.

@CheapRVliving 7 лет назад

It certainly wouldn't hurt!

@ufoformdad5845 Год назад

this is so smart!

@NewHampshireJack 7 лет назад

This idea will be helpful to the extreme here in the Philippines. It can get warm 15 degrees above the equator.

@sodapopjones2515 7 лет назад

kitty litter

@AB-bg1or 5 лет назад

Ice is cheap.

@abigailquinones2510 3 года назад

this is so cool

@MichealBacon 6 лет назад

You should do ore interviews with that ol' timer - he's interesting, creative, and knows a few valuable tips and tricks. And i'll bet he's a great storyteller.

@logothaironsides2942 6 лет назад

Thats clever.I love his alternative thinking. Our little cooler is made from two polystyrene fish boxes I saw being thrown away. One is cut slightly smaller and glued inside the other with silicone . Then the inside is lined with reflectix and so is the outside. I made the inner liner removable so it can be cleaned. It fits pretty well in our seat box in the little van we camp in and the seat cushions being on top of the seat box lid, it stays cold a long time. We dont have places in the uk where you can get free ice though so i made thin flat ice bags ( with our food sealer) with sawdust in them to keep them cold longer. I think we were camping something like 10 days straight last summer and for about 6 of them, the contents were nice and cold.