Frunk-sized Hard Sided Cooler?

[kingleonidas]

I have discovered the endless joy of camping in my 2018 Model S, especially with the addition of the Dreamcase. After a couple of weekend trips, I've determined that there is one thing I need...

Does anyone know of a hard-sided cooler that is just the right size for the front trunk?! I have looked at the Yeti roadie, and it fit like a glove except the frunk lid won't close... tragic no doubt, but also saved me hundreds of dollars. I am going to try to look at an Otterbox venture... but based on the exterior dimensions it does not look promising.

The idea is to have a cooler in the frunk, which is hard-shell, ideally has a drain, and that I don't need to remove it from the frunk throughout the trip unless I'm draining it.

Any insight? Thanks!

 

[DukeofURL]

Someone had mentioned in another thread that if you remove the carpeted lining in the frunk, there's a drain hole that drains to the exterior of the car. If this in fact true, the frunk itself could be used as an ice bin for your beverages BUT likely wouldn't keep the ice for that long.

"Frunk cooler" sounds like another opportunity for Dreamcase (or some other enterprising individual) to capitalize on!

 

[Joe F]

Found this in a thread recently on TMC. I do not own it so can't speak to fit.

 

[mike25]

Not hard sided but we use the yeti hopper flip 18. Works pretty well and you get space for snacks on each side.

 

[kingleonidas]

Someone had mentioned in another thread that if you remove the carpeted lining in the frunk, there's a drain hole that drains to the exterior of the car. If this in fact true, the frunk itself could be used as an ice bin for your beverages BUT likely wouldn't keep the ice for that long.

"Frunk cooler" sounds like another opportunity for Dreamcase (or some other enterprising individual) to capitalize on!

Already emailed them lol. Dreamcooler, for sure. Yeah really though, to make use of the space and have a cooler with either handles, or side utility spaces that "land" on the side shelfs of the frunk... that would be golden. --\_/--

One thing I won't be doing is removing the carpet and using the frunk as a cooler, but I do appreciate the tip!

 

[Snowstorm]

It would be incredible if someone can integrate a small fridge/freezer there and have it run of the car energy. It would need some venting to let the hot air out though.

 

[Cincinnatus]

Using an Igloo “Marine Contour” 25 quart cooler from Wal Mart. $20.00. Worked like a charm for a few road trips. Kept milk and perishables cold for the kiddos. Best of luck finding the right solution for you.

 

[kingleonidas]

Boom, finally! Went to Cabela's and after a couple weeks my search is over. Acknowledging that I sacrificed a couple of my main criteria... but after seeing this in person, it's functionality and quality (not to mention the perfect fit).... it was a done deal. Otterbox Trooper 20.

Bottle opener and shoulder strap included

Thanks everyone for the feedback!

 

[DukeofURL]

Tried it with a cooler I already had, about 1.5-2” too high... Missed it by THAT much!

 

[MichaelS]

For a refrigerator one idea might be to use a solid state refrigerator that uses a Peltier effect module. They work by a temperature differential between the cool inside of the cooler and outside. They run on 12V.
The disadvantage with them is they draw a fair amount of power and the cooling efficiency depends on the ambient temperature. The warmer it is, the less efficient the cooling.

 

[Snowstorm]

For a refrigerator one idea might be to use a solid state refrigerator that uses a Peltier effect module. They work by a temperature differential between the cool inside of the cooler and outside. They run on 12V.
The disadvantage with them is they draw a fair amount of power and the cooling efficiency depends on the ambient temperature. The warmer it is, the less efficient the cooling.

A refrigerator, no matter what design needs to dump the heat somewhere. It won’t work well in an enclosed frunk, unless there is a way to vent the heat to the outside.

 

[RxShah]

Someone had mentioned in another thread that if you remove the carpeted lining in the frunk, there's a drain hole that drains to the exterior of the car. If this in fact true, the frunk itself could be used as an ice bin for your beverages BUT likely wouldn't keep the ice for that long.

"Frunk cooler" sounds like another opportunity for Dreamcase (or some other enterprising individual) to capitalize on!

Send some electricity over from the car's battery and you can have an electric cooler in the frunk. Could redefine tailgates.

 

[TaoJones]

Send some electricity over from the car's battery and you can have an electric cooler in the frunk. Could redefine tailgates.

These Engel fridge/freezers hold up quite well; have had mine in either S for almost 4 years now. They use less than 1kW/day and are quiet. Just hardwire a 12V receptacle from the fuse box aft. Under the passenger seat is far enough as the cord from the fridge is quite long.

Although more of an aft (hatchback area) than a frunk thing, unless you opt for smaller or have an RWD S that had the proper full-sized frunk and microwave area, and even then, there's only so much height up there. In an X, one could opt for one of the next sizes up that have both a separate fridge and freezer compartment rather than one large one that's either or. Of course, if I had an X, I'd just make room for an ice maker with a water reservoir and call it a day.

 

[Dbox95]

Not hard sided, but my Yeti hopper 30 fits nicely and holds ice well too. Leaves a little room for food bag too if you are camping.

 

[GoGulls]

Does anyone have a CAD model of Model 3 trunk and trunk lower well?

Working on a mock-up of thermo electric cooler and warmer for on demand tailgate party...

 

[Don TLR]

I did a big road trip with my ARB in the back of an S, I had to put it in the back because the 50QT is too big for the frunk. These things are great and have had them for years without issue and mine is always in the back of the jeep. There's a thread on an Adventure Forum where guys have had them plugged in for years non stop so durability is not an issue.

Fridge Freezers - ARB USA

 

[israndy]

I often thought about running a low-pressure leg of the AC return thru the frunk. Probably the cheapest, most efficient way to cool things in an electric car, and you turn it on when it is hot in the car, the same time it will be hot in the frunk. Then I ought to be able to just keep a cooler in there w/o it getting too out of control on a trip. If I can take yogurt on a trip I would call it a win.

Where do you camp in a Model S? I have been camping in Casino and Mall parking lots waiting for the free J1772 to complete an overnight charge. But in the Model 3 I have the privacy of sleeping with my head in the trunk. People walking by the S and seeing me would prevent me from doing that. Perhaps you supercharge and then go park under the stars somewhere?

-Randy

 

[Richarditis]

Rather interesting idea you got going there. I honestly don't see the point in trying to create such a dream. You can always get a smaller and much cheaper cooler. I've been looking into the market and quite a lot of coolers are 300 dollars and above. I guess me and my igloo polar cooler are the only 2 made for each other. There are many cheap coolers out there, if you look at Best Cheap Coolers 2019 – Reviews and Top Picks you will be able to see. My cooler was only 55 dollars. I most of the time happen o have 50 dollars just sitting in my pocket. With that money, I was able to get this little buddy. I wish everything was this excellent as I imagined it would be, some minor things to mention though. Actually, I guess this is kinda good for you as the cooler is massive, not that comfy with me. I've come to notice that it has Fragile latches and other parts. Maybe this will be something you like, don't know.I'm here to share what I have tried and what I know. If you do find something I would like to see what giant you get.

 

[D.E.]

A refrigerator, no matter what design needs to dump the heat somewhere. It won’t work well in an enclosed frunk, unless there is a way to vent the heat to the outside.

The frunk lid is aluminum which is very good at transferring heat. As far as common metals go, silver is best, followed by copper, then aluminum. Almost all computer heat sinks are made of aluminum. The paint on the frunk lid will interfere with heat transfer but with the large surface area of the frunk lid, there may well be pretty good heat transfer. It would be interesting to test to see if a Peltier unit in the frunk can dump heat in the closed frunk and if that heat can be effectively dumped through the closed frunk lid. If the car is being driven, there will be good air flow across the surface of the frunk aiding heat transfer. If the car is a light color, there’ll be less solar heating of the frunk lid so that might help as well.

 

[powaking]

Where do you camp in a Model S? I have been camping in Casino and Mall parking lots waiting for the free J1772 to complete an overnight charge. But in the Model 3 I have the privacy of sleeping with my head in the trunk. People walking by the S and seeing me would prevent me from doing that. Perhaps you supercharge and then go park under the stars somewhere?

-Randy

Have you tried doing something like this in your S? I think it might depend on the revision of the shelf, I found mine won't allow me to close my lid.

Sleeping in Model S: smart trick for parcel shelf