Igloo 40 qt "mc" ice cooler, interior dry box addition

[TacoDell]

recently purchased 2 Igloo 40qt "Max Cold" ice coolers (rollers)...
and... in closer study, found that the 40qt rollers already have established provisions (perch) for the mounting of a raised dry box/tray...
tho' the igloo website, showed no optional trays for this sized cooler

so fark it... I made up my own using a small plastic box mfg'd by Sterlite... purchased at Target for $ 2.99 ea.

might have found something else at the dollar store... for a buck.
but I liked the way this box looked like it was going to fit.
Only complaint... could have been about another inch deeper...
tho' I doubt I'll complain too much.

This particular box sits on the perch, at exactly the perfect height (lid, surface height).
sooo... when the cooler's lid is pivoted down (closed)...
the cooler's lid, will close flush and it secures the dry box lid and container in position and from shifting or falling out, off it's perch.

The next picture shows the container/lid ends, after being trimmed/cut to fit.
was about a 1/4" material removed off each end.
That and there was a latch type tab lock at each end..
and those were removed and discarded as well.

I needed two

 

[JeepN95YJ]

nice work!

 

[Utah KJ]

Check out the big brain on TacoDell.

 

[Espo78]

Great idea! I have the same cooler that I picked up at Big Lots for $30 bucks. The only thing I didn't like about it was that it didn't have a tray. This is perfect!

 

[jeep-N-montero]

TacoDell, can you give me the width at the "perch" in your cooler? I'm curious if this would work for my Coleman.

 

[Martinjmpr]

You know, back in the old days (and really not that old - maybe 10 years ago) most of the bigger coolers came with trays. On a recent series of shopping trips I looked at all ranges of coolers and the only ones that had any kind of tray were the uber-expensive $300 "professional grade" coolers. Of the others, not one had a tray.

Interestingly, though, most of them had the raised shelf that would accomodate a tray. Since my old tray-equipped Igloo bit the dust before my DVNP trip I threw out the cooler but wisely I kept the tray, which now fits into several other coolers.

Wouldn't be so bad if they sold the trays separately but I haven't even seen that. It's odd - I feel like I'm the only person who wants to keep his food dry inside a cooler, but that can't be true.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

You know, back in the old days (and really not that old - maybe 10 years ago) most of the bigger coolers came with trays. On a recent series of shopping trips I looked at all ranges of coolers and the only ones that had any kind of tray were the uber-expensive $300 "professional grade" coolers. Of the others, not one had a tray.

Interestingly, though, most of them had the raised shelf that would accomodate a tray. Since my old tray-equipped Igloo bit the dust before my DVNP trip I threw out the cooler but wisely I kept the tray, which now fits into several other coolers.

Wouldn't be so bad if they sold the trays separately but I haven't even seen that. It's odd - I feel like I'm the only person who wants to keep his food dry inside a cooler, but that can't be true.

This is so true, when shopping around in May for a cooler there were many that had the tray ridges on the side but no available try. Made no sense, but was able to go with the Coleman Extreme Marine cooler that had the tray, stainless hinges, and a helper spring for under $70.

 

[Rattlesnake Joe]

Mediocrity is occuring now that China is the new economic engine that runs the world. Gone are the old supply and demand economics that we grew up with. This is by secret design of the NWO [New World Order]. Most everything is junk from China and we are being forced to take it or leave it...because there is nothing else. Look for extream shortages in the future, even from this China junk. Better prepare now and start stocking up on all necessities for living.

 

[Fish]

Just a guess, but they save $.29 by not providing the tray. In the meantime, it would be expensive to retool the molds, so the ridges are still there.