Igloo Trailmate 50 Qt Heavy-Duty Cool Box: The Perfect Campervan Companion

When you’re living life on four wheels, every piece of gear in your micro-camper has to earn its place. Space is precious, and versatility is king. After putting the Igloo Trailmate 50 Qt (47 L) Cool Box through its paces on my own UK campervan adventures, I can confidently say: this cooler is more than just a box — it’s a game-changer for van life.

1. Built for the Road (and Beyond)

From windswept coastal stopovers in Cornwall to impromptu wild camping spots in the Highlands, the Trailmate 50 holds its own.

It's rugged, blow-moulded construction handles bumps, knocks, and tight van corners without complaint, while UV inhibitors stop it from fading in sunlight when you’re parked up with the doors open. And that five-day ice retention, which I can verify! It’s a lifesaver for off-grid weekends when you’re parked up far from a shop.

2. Perfect Fit for Campervan Life

Van storage is always a balancing act, but at 47 L, this cooler hits the sweet spot between compact and spacious. Here’s why it works so well in a van:

• Compact footprint – Slides neatly under a bench seat or in the boot space. If you have a Citroen Berlingo, it fits perfectly in the front with the front seat down.

• Stay-Open Lid – Load and unload your food without the awkward “one hand on the lid, one hand juggling items” dance.

• Built-in Cup Holders – Ideal for lazy mornings with coffee on the beach or evenings with a sundowner by the fire. These held my coffee when I was driving between spots.

• Drain Plug – Makes emptying melted ice simple — just attach a hose and drain outside the van without lifting a thing.

  
  

3. Practical Extras You’ll Actually Use

On a van trip, convenience is everything. The Trailmate 50 ticks boxes I didn’t even realise I needed until I started using it:

• Lockable lid to keep your essentials secure when you’re away from your van.

• Oversized, durable handles for easy lifting in and out of the van.

• Integrated bottle opener – because forgetting one when you’re parked miles from civilisation is a rookie error.

  
  

4. Size, Weight & Value

At just under 7 kg, the Trailmate feels sturdy without being too heavy to lift in and out of the van solo. It comfortably holds enough food and drinks for a long weekend, or even a week’s worth of chilled essentials if you’re organised. This box easily held all my food for a solo trip to the Scottish Highlands.

With its current price of £169.95, it’s a smart investment for anyone seeking to strike a balance between practicality and quality in their camper setup.

5. The Van-Lifer’s Verdict

Whether you’re new to campervan adventures or a seasoned micro-camper pro, the Igloo Trailmate 50 Qt blends durability, smart design, and solid performance. It keeps your essentials fresh, handles rough travel days, and looks good doing it.

If you spend your weekends chasing hiking trails, parking up by lakes, or road-tripping to festivals, this cool box will keep your setup simple, reliable, and adventure-ready.

Features - Why It Works in a Van

• Capacity

  47 L (around 81 cans or 3–4 days of food for two)

• Insulation

  Up to 5 days ice retention

• Weight

  ~6.96 kg – easy to move solo

• Durability

  Heavy-duty build with UV protection

• Extras

  Drain plug, cup holders, locking lid, integrated opener

Final Word on the Igloo Trailmate 50 QT

When you’re travelling in a micro-camper, every inch counts. There’s no room for gear that only does one job — and that’s exactly why the Igloo Trailmate 50 has earned a permanent spot in my van setup.

On my recent trip through the Scottish Highlands, it proved itself not just as a cooler, but as a true all-rounder. From the moment I set off, it became an essential part of my tiny living space — keeping my food fresh for days, holding my morning coffee in the built-in cup holders, and even doubling up as a rock-solid prep surface for dinners on the road. One night, parked up on a remote lochside lay-by, I used it as a kitchen counter to prep a full meal, then sat down and used it as a table — all without moving it an inch.

Its compact footprint fits perfectly in the boot or in the front of small vans like my Citroën Berlingo — and thanks to its stay-open lid and easy-access drain plug, using it day-to-day never felt like a chore. At under 7 kg, I could lift and shift it solo, and the lockable lid gave me peace of mind when I stepped away from the van and left it outside.

In a space where every item needs to do more than one job, the Trailmate 50 delivers — a cool box, prep station, coffee table, and even extra seating in a pinch. It’s rugged, thoughtfully designed, and ready for whatever your next stop throws at you.

For anyone kitting out a micro-camper and trying to maximise the use of limited space, this cooler is more than just a box — it’s a seriously smart investment in making van life easier, more organised, and a lot more enjoyable.

Check it out here