InsaneBoost

Just wanted to update everyone. Everything went well. I did a layer of about 24 frozen water bottles, stacked all the meat in, then topped it off with about 30 ice water bottles. 4 days later (or roughly 3 days and 15 hours) everything was ice cold minus one package of hamburger that was getting a bit soft, and a package of steaks that were getting a bit soft as well. Not sure if I didn't pack the bottles as tight on that side or what, as they both were on the same side, but nothing else around them had that issue. Regardless they were still cold and nothing to worry about, but was interesting. Thanks again to everyone who replied and gave me advice. Obviously if not inside a car dry ice is the way to go, but the frozen water bottles indeed do the trick if you have the space for them in a cooler and are limited to interior storage in your vehicle.

What about trash bags? Or would those let liquid in faster if that were to happen? My plan is to layer the ice bottles, pack the meat tight, and layer of ice bottles on top, and not check it until the morning of Day 2. If bottles are solid, leave it until morning of Day 4.

Good to know. Being you've seen this done before and or done it yourself with your father, what's the best way to do this? Pile all the meat in tight, then cover in the bottles? Or do a layer of bottles on the bottom and top of cooler, and then in any empty spots? I've heard a few people say this method, but didn't say really how to do it.

That makes perfect sense, now I understand. Unfortunately the meat will already be frozen so there's not much I can really do about that. So I guess regardless I really want to make sure it stays frozen 100% now. I am definitely the King of overthinking, as you can probably tell from these questions. I do have a "fridge" for the vehicle I use when we go on long camping trips, but that by no means will hold even 1/8th of a cow, and that vehicle is more for 4x4 so it gets probably 10mpg if I'm lucky. Vehicle we're taking gets a good 33mpg. Just been debating the water bottles frozen vs gel packs vs ice in a trash bag. Thinking the frozen bottles is likely the best option, but then IF I do run into an issue, my next move is the question. I believe I was wrong about the packaging of the meat. It's not in vacuum sealed containers, but rather the freezer wrap paper, so I don't want any ice melting and leaking through that.

Yes. Stopping for the kids. Still a little too young where they can't sleep long enough in the car. Are you all just running extension cords from your room? Or actually bringing the freezer inside to your room? Hotels we stay at aren't always directly in front of room so not sure how I'd be able to power it without removing it entirely, which is obviously quite heavy. What is the difference between freezing and just keeping cold? Ability to form it more in the cooler? Or something else? Feel like it's obvious, but going right over my head.

Absolutely amazing lol.

Good to know. I have a smaller RTIC that is basically useless for this, but I'm going to bring it in case I need extra space.

What kind of coolers were you using?

Okay just wanted to make sure I had that right. I do like that idea being lack of mess.

So water bottles instead of ice blocks/cubes? Or the water bottle essentially works as the ice block?

Good to know. Wasn't sure if that would or wouldn't help. Small town near Bedford.

Okay, same thought I had, if I can fit it I'll do just that. Also yes, agreed on the precooling, will be doing that for sure.

Not sure why I never thought of that, makes a lot of sense. Will be sure to do this.

Valid point. Unfortunately I don't have a truck, and I'd end up spending another $500+ for the trailer rental and adding a hitch to the vehicle. Though this is something to think about with my other vehicle that does have a hitch. Though I've been told because it's modified Uhaul won't allow it to be used with my vehicle.

While we're on this topic, I see some people say bottom and top of cooler for ice, others say just the top is necessary. Any thoughts on that? I always felt bottom and top was better, but if it's better to have it all on top then I'll do that.