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Post by ecocentric on Feb 19, 2022 10:45:21 GMT -8
Thermodynamics is at the root of all of this, so this applies to lots of things. More expensive equipment is a good investment if it is less expensive to use over time. Fewer trips or even stops for ice are savings in the cost to use that cooler. The weight and volume issue are important considerations in a van or a compact car, solo camping v. group camping, I've always have several for different purposes.and, but squeezing precious gear into a kayak's spaces is more of a challenge. I've used coolers for luggage when traveling by air for multi-use utility.
You might be a dedicated backpacker that never camps within 3 miles of a trailhead, but you need a cooler to get to a lot of the good trailheads.
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reuben
Trail Wise!
Gonna need more Camels at the next refugio...
Posts: 10,739 
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Post by reuben on Feb 19, 2022 13:17:19 GMT -8
Say what? Marmie bought a $35 Yeti bottle? You've gone full frappuccino hipster bro with a man bun. Your cred is shred. Nothin like riding down to the coffee shop on my one wheel to nosh on some avocado toast dipped in bone marrow soup while listening to some bon iver. It takes a lot of money to look like I don’t care brah. Bon Iver gets points for being too hip to spell his own name right, and for having a man crush on Peter Gabriel. |
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ErnieW
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I want to backpack
Posts: 9,217
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Post by ErnieW on Feb 19, 2022 15:27:46 GMT -8
More expensive equipment is a good investment if it is less expensive to use over time. The more expensive coolers also buy you something inexpensive coolers can't do. You could pack them with food and drink (beer) then days later come back to your car for cold food and drink. The first time we used ours we put frozen steak and chicken in the bottom. When we went to use them 5 days later they were still frozen solid. |
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Feb 20, 2022 18:14:44 GMT -8
Anyone else feel they save road time by carrying a cooler for midday road trip meals versus relying on restaurants and such?
And, off another threads topic: having abundant cool fluids on a warm weather road trip is likely far safer for driver hydration and awareness. And a vehicle cooler is the least barrier: no having to choose to “waste” time pulling off for a store or shop.
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BigLoad
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Pancakes!
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Post by BigLoad on Feb 20, 2022 19:16:58 GMT -8
Nah, I'm fine with room temperature whatever when I'm driving. I start out with everything in reach, no having to open anything more complicated than a ziplock bag.
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Post by hikerjer on Feb 20, 2022 19:43:53 GMT -8
Anyone else feel they save road time by carrying a cooler for midday road trip meals versus relying on restaurants and such? I don't know how much time I actually save by eating out of my cooler but I save a whole lot of money and for the most part, probably enjoy my own food more than that in roadside cafes. |
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zeke
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Peekaboo slot 2023
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Post by zeke on Feb 21, 2022 4:59:13 GMT -8
I am renowned for long days on the open road. I only stop every 5 hours for gas, food, and a pee break all at the same store if possible. I look for gas stations with a fast food drive through that I like. I always have water in the passenger seat, and buy cokes when I stop. I'm not sure how much time it saves, but I do think taking care of those needs all at the same off ramp allows me to put more miles behind me.
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ErnieW
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I want to backpack
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Post by ErnieW on Feb 21, 2022 5:25:24 GMT -8
I look at it as if I was averaging 65mph then a 20 minute stop is 22 miles I didn't cover. An hour break is 65 miles not covered.
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Post by ecocentric on Feb 21, 2022 5:49:50 GMT -8
I look at it as if I was averaging 65mph then a 20 minute stop is 22 miles I didn't cover. An hour break is 65 miles not covered. When you travel alone, you do those kind of calculations. Traveling with others that may be annoying to them, so I've been told. I do think that regular breaks are important to enjoying the trip. I like to walk for a few minutes at least, and a half an hour spent bicycling can give you a whole new appreciation for country than you had traveling at 70 mph. Stopping to make a sandwich isn't much faster than going through a drive-thru. A copilot can make a sandwich on the fly. A group of 4 can debate for 15 minutes about where to eat. I think the main advantage to having a cooler is that you can eat healthier and not have to look for what you want. ETA: I like the added flexibility of being able to stop to eat at a park instead of a truck stop/gas plaza. |
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Post by cweston on Feb 21, 2022 6:07:11 GMT -8
I am renowned for long days on the open road. I only stop every 5 hours for gas, food, and a pee break all at the same store if possible. I used to travel like that: "guy style." With my lumbar disk injury, it's important for me to get out and walk a little, and stretch, every two hours or so. When I first started that routine, it seemed ridiculously oppressive, but really, 3 extra 15-minute stops only adds less than an hour to your trip time. Also, when I'm headed to high-elevation BPing, I'm usually pre-hydrating--drinking crazy amounts of water. Which means me and my peanut-sized bladder need to stop *very* regularly anyway. Sometimes on the way home from a trip, I cheat and just power through it.
I do drive very long distances in a day when the need arises, though. My family is a driving family--we generally think nothing of driving all day and well into the night if that's what works.
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Post by Coolkat on Feb 21, 2022 6:20:21 GMT -8
I am renowned for long days on the open road. I only stop every 5 hours for gas, food, and a pee break all at the same store if possible. This sounds like me. I'd rather spend more time at my destination than on the road. Two summers ago on my road trip to CO I only stopped as I needed gas. However, as it's been said with others it's a different story. I can make the trip to my in-laws in just a hair under 5 hours. However, with others it's almost always 6 or even 6.5 hours. |
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ErnieW
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I want to backpack
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Post by ErnieW on Feb 21, 2022 7:11:45 GMT -8
I think the main advantage to having a cooler is that you can eat healthier and not have to look for what you want. At the beginning of a longer trip I sometimes avoid local food and drink. It sucks to get something that messes with your digestion at the beginning of a trip. Unfortunately I have found that the local well water doesn't make the locals sick (likely they are used to it) but sometimes isn't good for me. Also some diners may not food handle that well. Serving customers that you likely won't see again food that isn't that spoiled can help their bottom line. |
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Post by marmotstew on Mar 18, 2022 11:35:36 GMT -8
Update. I emailed Yeti and complained. They are sending me a new rambler cap. Which is nice of them. They responded same day and it was in the mail next day. So, I’ll stop complaining about them. No more wet car seats.
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swiftdream
Trail Wise!
the Great Southwest Unbound
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Post by swiftdream on Mar 18, 2022 11:54:59 GMT -8
Anyone else feel they save road time by carrying a cooler for midday road trip meals versus relying on restaurants and such? And, off another threads topic: having abundant cool fluids on a warm weather road trip is likely far safer for driver hydration and awareness. And a vehicle cooler is the least barrier: no having to choose to “waste” time pulling off for a store or shop. Yes to all the above super convenient and you have what you desire right at hand, gourmet snack food and lunch items you will save a bundle, eat better, save time on the road staying hydrated while driving can make one feel far better too |
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Post by tallgrass on Mar 20, 2022 7:42:33 GMT -8
staying hydrated while driving can make one feel far better too Except for that needing to go without anywhere to stop for the next 30 miles... |
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