12-volt freezer recommendations for road trips?

Do you have any recommendations regarding choosing and using a portable 12 volt freezer to keep fish and game cold or frozen on back-county road trips, and to freeze water bottles for use in a cooler or fish bag on the water?

I find it a hassle to keep fish and game cold on road trips.  I'm always scrambling around getting ice and/or dry ice, neither of which may be available in backcountry locations. I'm less likely to do multi-day fishing trips because of the difficulty of keeping fish cold.  I'd like to be able to keep fish or game cold on extended trips, I'd like to be able to freeze fish and game on trips, and I'd like to be able to freeze water bottles for use in a cooler or a fish bag on the water.  The portable electric coolers made by manufacturers like Coleman and Igloo aren't satisfactory because they only cool their contents to 30 or 40 degrees below the outside temperature, which isn't adequate in the summer, and because they are too small.  One option is to buy a big heavily insulated cooler and pack it with ice and dry ice at the beginning of the trip, but that wouldn't let me freeze fish or water bottles on the road.

I'm considering buying a 12 volt freezer in the 60-80 quart range which I can put in the back of my SUV.  Have any of you used 12 volt freezers?  How well do they work, and how much do they drain a car battery?  Do they require supplemental power, such as a generator, on multi-day back-county trips? Do you have any recommendations regarding 12-volt freezers?  Is it feasible to buy a small and less expensive 120 volt chest freezer and operate it in a vehicle with a power converter?

Back when I was married, and I needed to keep things frozen or cold, I would have her stuff it in her bra.

60-80 gallon size would be huge once you factor in the compressor system, etc.  Most likely not fitting that in the back of an SUV.  The amperage would be doable when the car is running.  Have you looked at the $$$$ coat of that type 12v freezer yet?

If you already own a generator, I'd opt for an inexpensive, small 110v freezer and a small generator.  You could actually buy a generator and a freezer for less than just a good 12v freezer of the (60-70 quart range).

Most coolers are measured in quarts, not gallons.  Are you looking for a 60-80 quart freezer?

How about this one?

https://www.amazon.com/Whynter-FM-45G-45-Quart-Portable-Refrigerator/dp/B002W8BLUG/ref=sm_n_se_dkp_US_pr_sea_1_0?imprToken=a9NN0kZkB7g1lQfbdIwFDQ&linkCode=w42&tag=bestrefrigecentral-20&linkId=bf773bfd8470394c416a1a695415ba15

60-80 gallon size would be huge once you factor in the compressor system, etc.  Most likely not fitting that in the back of an SUV.  The amperage would be doable when the car is running.  Have you looked at the $$$$ coat of that type 12v freezer yet?

If you already own a generator, I'd opt for an inexpensive, small 110v freezer and a small generator.  You could actually buy a generator and a freezer for less than just a good 12v freezer of the (60-70 quart range).

Most coolers are measured in quarts, not gallons.  Are you looking for a 60-80 quart freezer?

Oops, I'm looking for a 60-80 quart cooler, not a 60-80 gallon cooler.  I've corrected my initial posting.

I know the refrig ones will run a battery down, so I assume a freezer would make it worse having to generate more cold. How about looking for a trashed RV of some type and get the fridge/freezer from that. Make sure it is one that runs on 12v and propane. That would work well I would think.

Just don't run the propane inside the car when you are driving.

 

  My buddy has a 3-way portable fridge we've used many times. 
While driving to a campsite. We use the 12V option while on the road with engine on, at camp he would light the little pilot lamp and switch over to propane.  It has a tiny Ice compartment that a small ice tray slips into, so we always had a few ice cubes available.  The 12V part will run a battery down quick, so it was unplugged when we stopped for anything while on the road.
  He would have it plugged in (110VAC) and cooling down at home before we left.
 Sorry I don't know the brand.  It's the way to go though.

This is a 2.2 cuft portable. Not cheap.
https://www.lehmans.com/product/unique-freezerrefrigerator

I know the refrig ones will run a battery down, so I assume a freezer would make it worse having to generate more cold. How about looking for a trashed RV of some type and get the fridge/freezer from that. Make sure it is one that runs on 12v and propane. That would work well I would think.

"generate more cold"  I know I'm splitting hairs, but isn't it cooling by removing heat?  Back to the main topic, I just discovered last night that my 750 watt inverter will not power a 5 cubic foot freezer.  On to plan B.  Honda generator for Sunday thru Wednesday at Van Damme, "Keswick" connection at Albion from Wednesday thru . . . . . . . ?

I am looking at a small chest freezer for my boat also. Something like a norcold 2.1 cf. I have 3 batteries and will have shore back at the docks. I can't imagine the setup needed for 60 quarts.

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/norcold--nrf-60-ac-dc-portable-refrigerator-freezer--13176490?cm_mmc=PS-_-Google-_-Shopping_PLAs-_-13176490&adpos=1o4&creative=108421556644&device=m&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CKOtjJj6h84CFZVahgodJ2ADYQ

ARB makes good stuff

I have a truckfridge 40L, not really big enough for storing alot of game or fish though. It has the good Danfoss compressor in it, it's a rebadged Indel B like the ironman 4x4 unit.

I run it on a bioenno power 400w/hr solar charger/power pack/inverter with (2) 50W solar panels. The Truckfridge pulls 30-64W (eco vs. max mode) according to the power pack when on and the duty cycle will vary depending on ambient temp. I can run on the car battery for 3 nights before it gets iffy on starting the truck.

I would think if you were storing game and fish that a good cooler and using dry ice would be a better bet. There are some good cheaper alternatives to Yeti these days.

I know the refrig ones will run a battery down, so I assume a freezer would make it worse having to generate more cold. How about looking for a trashed RV of some type and get the fridge/freezer from that. Make sure it is one that runs on 12v and propane. That would work well I would think.

"generate more cold"  I know I'm splitting hairs, but isn't it cooling by removing heat?  Back to the main topic, I just discovered last night that my 750 watt inverter will not power a 5 cubic foot freezer.  On to plan B.  Honda generator for Sunday thru Wednesday at Van Damme, "Keswick" connection at Albion from Wednesday thru . . . . . . . ?

I know...........

Block ice in a yeti lasts for days.  Of course it wont freeze your catch though.