Whether you’re hitting the road in a well-equipped camper or RV from Bish's RV or pitching a tent in the wilderness, one essential piece of gear can make or break your camping trip: a reliable cooler. At Cordova Outdoors, we specialize in crafting rugged coolers that cater to all different camping styles, ensuring that every adventurer—whether RV enthusiast or tent camper—has the right cooling solution.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best camping coolers for RV and tent camping, compare cooler options, and highlight portable cooler essentials to help you stay well-prepared for any adventure.
RV Camping: Coolers for Comfort and Convenience
When it comes to RV camping, space is on your side. The extra room in an RV allows for larger coolers, making long trips and extended stays more comfortable. Here’s what to look for in a cooler when traveling in an RV:
Maximizing Capacity: With generous storage available in an RV, larger coolers like the Cordova Basecamp Class 128 qt Cooler offer more than enough room to store food and drinks for the entire family. Its massive capacity allows you to stock up for extended road trips without having to make frequent grocery stops.
Long-Term Ice Retention: For those venturing on week-long RV adventures, extended ice retention is a priority. Cordova’s Basecamp Class hard coolers, including the 88 and 128 qt models, provide up to 10 days of ice retention. Whether you're exploring National Parks or enjoying a coastal retreat, you can trust these coolers to keep your perishables fresh.
Durability on the Road: RV camping often involves frequent stops, outings, and on-the-go meals. Cordova coolers are designed with rotomolded construction, ensuring they can withstand rugged terrain, daily use, and any bumps along the way. The Basecamp Class 88qt cooler is particularly ideal for active RV campers, offering both size and endurance without compromising on mobility.
Portable Coolers for Outings: While larger coolers remain stationed at your campsite, having a portable option for day trips is essential. Cordova’s Insulated Basecamp Class Daypack or Backpack Cooler are perfect for beach days, hikes, or picnic outings. These lightweight coolers fit snugly in your RV and can be taken on short excursions, ensuring cold drinks and snacks on the go.
Tent Camping: Prioritizing Portability and Versatility
Tent camping brings a different challenge: portability. When you’re hiking to a remote campsite or setting up a base under the stars, every pound and inch of your gear counts. Here’s how to choose the right camping cooler for your tent camping adventure:
Compact and Lightweight: For those embarking on tent camping trips, smaller coolers like the Basecamp Class 20 qt Rugged Hard Cooler offer the perfect balance between portability and storage. Weighing just 14 pounds, it’s included should er strap makes it easy to carry from the car to the campsite, even if you’re hiking into a more remote location.
Versatility for Active Campers: Tent campers often engage in diverse activities like fishing, hiking, or beach lounging. Cordova’s 28 qt hard cooler is built for versatility, featuring a durable build, integrated bottle opener, and non-slip feet. It’s also compact enough to fit in the trunk of your car, yet large enough to store the essentials for a weekend escape.
Soft Coolers for Flexibility: Soft coolers, such as the Basecamp Class Daypack or Backpack Cooler are ideal for campers seeking mobility. These coolers are lightweight and easy to carry, making them perfect for short hikes, day trips, or even as a secondary cooler at the campsite. Unlike their bulkier hard cooler counterparts, soft coolers fold up for easy storage when not in use.
Camping Cooler Comparison: RV vs. Tent
To help you choose the right cooler for your specific camping style, here’s a quick comparison:
Maximizing Your Cooler's Performance
Regardless of the cooler you choose, here are a few pro tips to make sure you’re getting the most out of it:
Pre-Chill: Pre-chill your cooler and contents before packing to maximize ice retention. Unless it’s icy cool outside, bring your Cordova cooler into an air-conditioned space 24 hours before you plan to use it and fill the cooler with ice to bring the temperature of your cooler’s insulation down. This ice will melt relatively quickly as the insulation cools. You’ll then be ready to pack your goodies with new ice for the trip.
Freeze Ice Packs for Maximum Efficiency
Freeze our Packice Ice Packs solid (down to 0° Fahrenheit, what your kitchen freezer is likely set to) at least 24 hours ahead of time and use them. Yes, it’s like we’re trying to sell you more stuff, but they WORK and extend the cooling window by up to 40%. A ratio of 10 qts to 1 lb of ice pack is the recommended minimum. So, a two-pounder is good as a base cooling block for the 20 qt cooler. Two four-pound packs will handle an 88 qt. When in doubt, use more ice packs.
Layering Your Cooler Effectively
- Drain the water and fill your Cordova in the following order:
- Dry ice (frozen CO2) if you have it, ideally not in direct contact with provisions because dry ice will freeze anything it comes in direct contact with
- Block ice and/or our Packice Ice Packs (minimum of 1 lb of solidly frozen ice pack per 10 quarts of cooler capacity)
Provisions that can get wet - Fresh cubed ice in a ratio of 3:1 provisions to ice, if you’ve got 20 lbs of meat, put in 40 lbs of ice (your block ice counts toward the 40 lbs).
Utilize Wire Baskets for Easy Access
For anything you want to keep above the ice or have immediately accessible when the lid is opened, use our wire baskets which are made to sit on the ledge just below the lid.
Choose Cold Ice for Longevity
- Use COLD ice. (Ice, like water, does vary in temperature. Ice that is dry to the touch, as opposed to wet and slippery, is colder and will last longer.) Block ice is preferable to cubed ice – it will last longer. An ice to provisions ratio of 3:1 is ideal. Prechill provisions when possible.
- Store in the Shade: Keep your cooler out of direct sunlight to maintain its cool temperature.
- Limit Access: The less you open the cooler, the longer it stays cold.
- Use Waterproof Containers: Store food in waterproof containers to prevent sogginess as ice melts.
Cordova Outdoors: Coolers for Every Camping Style
At Cordova Outdoors, we offer a variety of coolers to suit both RV and tent campers. Our Basecamp Class 128 and 88 qt coolers provide the storage and durability needed for long-term RV camping. For tent campers, our 20 qt hard cooler and Daypack Soft Coolers deliver portability without sacrificing performance.
Partnering with Bish’s RV: Elevating Your Camping Experience
Our partnership with Bish’s RV ensures that RV campers have access to both the best recreational vehicles and cooling gear. Whether you’re upgrading to a larger cooler for extended road trips or looking for a portable option for off-site adventures, our collaboration guarantees a seamless camping experience from start to finish.
Whether you’re heading out on an RV adventure or a tent camping trip, selecting the right cooler can enhance your outdoor experience. Consider your camping style, trip length, and space requirements when making your choice.
Explore the full range of coolers at Cordova Outdoors and find the perfect match for your next adventure. With the right cooler in hand, your food stays fresh, your drinks stay cold, and you stay focused on making the most of your time outdoors.