We are prospective QS buyers, 8.0 or 8.1 with an air conditioner. We really love the interior of the QS, and we try to travel light, so I think the storage capacity would adequate, with one glaring exception-- where on earth do you put the coolers once you are at camp? We think we would want an electric model, and it could easily stow in the car during travel, but I can't think of where it would be convenient to park it inside the trailer. I would want it to be handy for food prep. Where do you experienced QS owners owners put your coolers?
When had a 6ยท0 we left the cooler in the vehicle. We did not cook or eat inside the pop up camper. We camp in bear country and did not want any unwelcomed late night visits.
We keep the cooler in the car as well. However if we want it out of the car we just place it near the door. We never cook inside so there is no real need for it in there.
All that said, in our 10.0 the AC has a shelf on top of it which does perfectly fit a small dorm sized fridge if it's a must have item.
I find that for me and my QS6, it depends on the length of the trip. If I am going for a long trip or several different sites, I carry the cooler in the back of my jeep. Also if I am in bear country. If I am going to camp local in Pennsylvania or West Virginia, I usually put it in the camper as the last thing loaded.
On long trips, I want easy access for snacks and beverages. The jeep is more convenient. I rarely eat in the camper but when cold or wet, I make exceptions. I tried an electric refrigerator but sold it. It was too confining. It was too heavy to move when loaded and tended to be proctological. If it was in the jeep, I wanted it at the site, if at the site, I worried about theft so would move to camper. Too much hassle. A Pelican cooler lasts 3-4 days easily and is more mobile.
Michael
My cooler goes in the back of the wagon. If it comes out, it goes back in at night.
I haven't camped for a week straight, so I have no need for a dorm fridge (yet).
If I got a Norcold or Engel top-latch fridge or dorm fridge, I suspect I'd still keep it in the car and find a way to plug it in there at night. During the day it could be covered in reflectix and sit under the bunk in the shade.
Honestly, a portable ice-maker is cheaper than those $800 fancy fridges.
Yeah for 150 or less you could be producing your own ice and would only be limited by the electrical needs. I would caution that must portable ice makers only produce a quart or two at a time so you'll have to be consistent with transferring it to the cooler as its made.
If math is right you should be able to even use the portable ice maker while boondocking. A fairly small inverter and solar panel could power it indefinitely.
[quote source="/post/24211/thread" timestamp="1472306837" author="@2ndwindcamper"]We are prospective QS buyers, 8.0 or 8.1 with an air conditioner. We really love the interior of the QS, and we try to travel light, so I think the storage capacity would adequate, with one glaring exception-- where on earth do you put the coolers once you are at camp? We think we would want an electric model, and it could easily stow in the car during travel, but I can't think of where it would be convenient to park it inside the trailer. I would want it to be handy for food prep. Where do you experienced QS owners owners put your coolers?[/quote]Coolers get strapped to the rear deck for travel. Once at the site, they remain locked up outside, away from the camper................or in the car.
No food or drink in the camper for this family. Too risky that smells attract critters.
[quote source="/post/24242/thread" author="@rob" timestamp="1472395168"][quote timestamp="1472306837" author="@2ndwindcamper" source="/post/24211/thread"]
[/quote]Coolers get strapped to the rear deck for travel. Once at the site, they remain locked up outside, away from the camper................or in the car.
No food or drink in the camper for this family. Too risky that smells attract critters.[/quote]That only works if you have a rear deck. My QS6 does not and I am not sure I would put a 60 lb cooler on the rear, out in the sun as I am going off-road in Utah. I am sure it works fine for the flat lands but I bought my camper specifically to use as off road as I can get in the deserts of Arizona and Utah. The ice lasts longer if in the air conditioned back of my jeep.
I agree with you about trying not to eat or drink in camper but sometimes my 3 yr. old granddaughter will overrule me. Her sippe cup will end up in a sleeping bag.
I want to try the icemaker eventually, I think. I hope someone posts if they try it on battery.
[quote source="/post/24211/thread" author="@2ndwindcamper" timestamp="1472306837"]We are prospective QS buyers, 8.0 or 8.1 with an air conditioner. We really love the interior of the QS, and we try to travel light, so I think the storage capacity would adequate, with one glaring exception-- where on earth do you put the coolers once you are at camp? We think we would want an electric model, and it could easily stow in the car during travel, but I can't think of where it would be convenient to park it inside the trailer. I would want it to be handy for food prep. Where do you experienced QS owners owners put your coolers?[/quote]Since I don't need the extra seating, I take the cushion off the bench next to the kitchen and put my dorm-sized refrigerator and cooler there.
[quote timestamp="1472558378" source="/post/24291/thread" author="@bjugrad79"][/quote]That's a great idea!
Quote from: @2ndwindcamper" source="/post/24211/thread" timestamp="1472306837We are prospective QS buyers, 8.0 or 8.1 with an air conditioner. We really love the interior of the QS, and we try to travel light, so I think the storage capacity would adequate, with one glaring exception-- where on earth do you put the coolers once you are at camp? We think we would want an electric model, and it could easily stow in the car during travel, but I can't think of where it would be convenient to park it inside the trailer. I would want it to be handy for food prep. Where do you experienced QS owners owners put your coolers?
We've recently completed a 6 week trip (QS 8.0)to the southwest US (June/July) where temps were over 100 deg on a regular basis. We used 2 coolers; a coleman 3 day cooler and another smaller nondescript cooler. The 3 day cooler stored food and liquids used for Breakfast, lunch, and dinners. The smaller cooler held drinks and snacks. When camping we stored the coolers between the 2 benches, using the larger cooler as a table. When traveling to other campgrounds the coolers were loaded into the back of the SUV. Yes, we bought many bags of ice at campgrounds or Walmart but considered that part of the budget.
Next February we will be camping for a month in Florida. We will try a small fridge and a cooler combination since we will be staying in one campground only.