45L vs 60L Refrigerator Size for 2 adults - Guidance Needed!

Sorry for blasting this in the main forum but couldn't really figure out a good subforum to post this in.

I'm about to pull the trigger on a 12v fridge for camping but am super torn between a 45L and 60L.

Can anybody that uses a fridge share their experience? It'll be used by my fiancee and I for 3-5 day long trips in my DIY wedge camper. We like to bring plenty of beer and cold drinks along when we're car camping (fun to spoil ourselves since most of our trips are in the backcountry carrying our gear).

We just did a 2 day trip with a 45L cooler and ice and got by okay which makes me lean toward the 45L since we'll have even more room without ice but the 60L is the same dimension footprint just 3" taller so it makes me debate the getting larger size. I'm also worried the 60L might be too huge? Maybe not?

Specifically I'm getting an Iceco TR45 or 60 if anyone has experience with it.

 

If its basically the same size, get the 60

 

Get the 45. You’ll gain the capacity by not having the ice

you are also more efficient by having the fridge full vs a larger one with a bunch of empty space

 

Ever hear the expression “The eyes are bigger than the appetite”........get two & call ‘er good.

 

I have the ARB 50QT, have had it for quite a few years now. I got it so I can bring my insulin with me, and not worry about it freezing or being to hot.

I recommend getting a dual compartment, in the 60L.

One compartment you can keep frozen meat, and ice cream in. Then the other one the steaks are thawing before getting ready for the BBQ that evening, with the water and milk and beers..

When mine dies, I will be getting a dual compartment unit.


Image for effect

 

I toyed with the idea of a dual compartment but in the end we don't bring anything that really needs a freezer. Frozen meats don't really make sense to me on a week long trip, won't spoil in a fridge in that time and would have to thaw it out to cook anyway. Realistically if I got a dual zone it'd end up being a beer fridge on one side and food fridge on the other so I figure save the weight and expense with a single zone.

I super appreciate everyone's input!

 

this is exactly why i want a dual zone. Haha. Kidding aside, i would prefer a dual zone so i can have drinks on one side and food in the other for organization purposes.

i currently use a 51L and have the basket inside split in the middle with drinks (beer, small soda cans, and a jug of water) in one half and food in the other. The basket works fine but sometimes I’d like the option to carry frozen stuff and change the temps for each “side”. Solo, this works for me for several days of food. If you carry more food, can just put in less drinks and be sure to rotate a new drink in when you take a cold one out. One option i do is on occasion, carry a smaller 28qt cooler for just drinks and ice. Totally overkill but i have the space and was cheaper than buying a new bigger fridge.

to your question: a 45L will be large enough for food and some drinks for 2 people for 2-4 days.

 

I just went to Walmart on my lunch and looked at some 45 and 60L coolers side by side and I think I’m starting to lean toward the 60.

For the fridge I’m looking at the 60L is 3.5” taller with the same footprint. Realistically I’d never pack anything on top of it for access reasons so it’s almost like free storage space. Even if we don’t load it all the way with food that has to stay cold we can always use it for extra food storage for things like bread to keep it from getting crushed.

on our 2 night trip last weekend we brought 36 beers and 24 soda waters and ran out of beer. Extra beer space is starting to sound better and better.

additional question. Anyone get a bigger fridge and regret it?

I really wish I could check them out in person. Feel like that’d make this choice much easier.

 

How much do they draw. I’d think if you can get away with smaller and it draws less you have more time off the grid.

 

exact same electronics and compressor. Only difference is the size of the box so they draw pretty much the same.

 

Cool. Pun intended. I’m not an expert as I’ve always debated the purchase and usually only 36 hours from ice so my coolers work fine. But I have been considering and wonder if Walmart is acceptable quality. Good luck.

 

oh not buying it from Walmart. Just wandered down their cooler aisle for a rough volume comparison. I’m getting it straight from Iceco.

 

36 beers for 2 people over 2 nights?! Maybe I'm getting old. lol. My suggestion is to start drinking stronger beer, then you don't need to carry as many and you can buy the smaller fridge.

 

That was all ipas and iipas. Don’t get much stronger than 9% unless we switch to wine. It was a Labor Day party camp drinking beers all day on the lake. On more typical trips we actually do stuff during the day which results in alittle less drinking hahaha.

I did some more measuring last night and we ended up deciding on the 45L. The 60 was really tempting but we realized it’s pretty huge when I pulled out a large storage bin from the garage with similar external dimensions.

We’ve been getting by with a 45L cooler and ice so the smaller fridge should do the job. Plus we figure the 45 is small enough we can use it in my lady’s car on road trips too and we’ll be more inclined to pull it out and use it frequently if it’s not a big monstrosity.