Updated September 2026
Tools
What Size 12V Cooler Do I Need?
Answer four quick questions about your cab and your run, and get the cooler size that actually fits.
Recommended size
- Compressor beats thermoelectric, year-round. Compressor coolers reach true fridge and freezer temperatures and cycle off once cold. Thermoelectric units only cool roughly 20°C below ambient, cannot freeze, and run constantly — a poor fit for Canadian summers and shoulder seasons.
- Watch for freeze risk in winter. In a sub-zero cab, drinks and fresh food can freeze solid inside any cooler. Keep the unit in the heated sleeper berth, or use a dual-zone’s freezer compartment deliberately.
- Measure your floor space first. A typical 35–45 L unit has roughly a 60×35 cm footprint. Day cabs usually fit 15–25 L comfortably; anything bigger often blocks the walk-through.
Planning estimates only: assumes roughly 5 L of food storage per person per day (about 1.5× for a freezer zone). Always check the manufacturer’s interior dimensions against your cab.
Research-based. We did not test these hands-on.
Our method
Research-based. We did not test these hands-on. Every default on this page is a published figure or a labelled assumption — change any input and the math re-runs.