What to pack to keep food cold

Pick how long you'll be out.

A weekend (1 to 3 nights)

A cooler

A cooler is all you need. Ice easily outlasts a weekend.

Feeding a group? The RTIC 65 QT, $269, holds 84 cans.

A week (4 to 7 nights)

A fridge and a power station

This is where ice gets tight and a small fridge takes over. The station runs the fridge at camp, and the truck recharges the station while you drive.

The kit: about $449

Sticking with ice? The Engel ENG65, $350, is rated for 10 days with one refill mid-week.

Two weeks (8 to 14 nights)

A bigger fridge and a bigger station

Same setup, sized up. The bigger station covers 3 parked days in a row, and every drive day refills it, so the kit runs the full two weeks.

The kit: about $1,058

Three weeks (15 nights and up)

Add a solar panel

Add solar and the setup no longer depends on driving. Sun covers the parked days, driving covers the rest, and the kit runs as long as the trip does.

The kit: about $1,258

Three weeks, no sun (forest, storms, winter)

How we chose

Runtime numbers are manufacturer consumption specs divided into battery capacity. Real trips get somewhat less: converting power loses some energy, and hot weather works a fridge's compressor harder. Power stations recharge from the 12V socket while you drive. Many factory AC outlets, like the 4Runner's 400W outlet, work only in Park or Neutral.

Want this dialed to your exact truck? The configurator builds a complete plan around your vehicle and how you camp.

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