Camping with a 135

SecretAsianMan · 05-10-2014, 11:44 PM

My wife and I are gearing up to do a little camping - too bad for her, her 135 is our "practical" car. We're having a heck of a time finding a decently large (50-60 quart) cooler that can fit in the trunk. Has anyone found one that can do it? They're all almost exactly tall enough to just barely not fit through the trunk opening.

X5-4me · 05-11-2014, 10:41 AM

Install a trailer hitch.

MuNkY6913 · 05-11-2014, 01:50 PM

Fold the seats down and take it through the front? I had a pretty big cooler in my backseat last year for camping. Not sure how big but is was the bigger ones. This process would be a pain if it does work specially when the cooler is full.

gregthegr8 · 05-11-2014, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SecretAsianMan

My wife and I are gearing up to do a little camping - too bad for her, her 135 is our "practical" car. We're having a heck of a time finding a decently large (50-60 quart) cooler that can fit in the trunk. Has anyone found one that can do it? They're all almost exactly tall enough to just barely not fit through the trunk opening.

Have you looked into getting the roof rack system? If not, go for two smaller coolers perhaps.

SecretAsianMan · 05-11-2014, 09:05 PM

Thanks for the tips!

Munky did you find the cooler sit fine on the seats folded down? I noticed they don't fold flat, so I was concerned about possible spills with a cooler tipping over.

Roof rack is a great idea. Unfortunately I'm having a hard time convincing the wife to uglify her vehicle with a roof rack

If there's a roof rack that can pop on/off very quickly it might be feasible. I guess it would be great to have a separate food and drink cooler.

gregthegr8 · 05-11-2014, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SecretAsianMan

Thanks for the tips!

Munky did you find the cooler sit fine on the seats folded down? I noticed they don't fold flat, so I was concerned about possible spills with a cooler tipping over.

Roof rack is a great idea. Unfortunately I'm having a hard time convincing the wife to uglify her vehicle with a roof rack

If there's a roof rack that can pop on/off very quickly it might be feasible. I guess it would be great to have a separate food and drink cooler.

I don't know the details of the roof racks made for our cars, but our cars have the built in slots in the roof to attach the rails for the BMW roof rack system, so I assume they'd be pretty easy to put on and take off. A lot of times people sell them used on here as well.

ShocknAwe · 05-11-2014, 09:36 PM

Big cooler in the back seat. Or 2-3 smaller coolers in the trunk.

Billup · 05-12-2014, 06:39 AM

I use the backseat, just have to move the passenger seat all the way forward then fold the rear seats down. It's kind of a pain because it just BARELY squeezes between the door frame and the passenger seat, I have to get the angle just right, otherwise I can't seem to get it back there.

Definitely a little pain, but you can fit a pretty decent sized cooler in the back seat.

mike@x-ph.com · 05-12-2014, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SecretAsianMan

My wife and I are gearing up to do a little camping - too bad for her, her 135 is our "practical" car. We're having a heck of a time finding a decently large (50-60 quart) cooler that can fit in the trunk. Has anyone found one that can do it? They're all almost exactly tall enough to just barely not fit through the trunk opening.

If your 135 is the "practical car" of the family, im curious what other cars you guys have

cheshirecat79 · 05-12-2014, 01:58 PM

You're going to have to go with a medium size cooler through the front, without a doubt. The rear needs to be tasked with everything else.

The seats don't fold down perfectly flat, but as long as you haven't overfilled the cooler and have the drain plugged, you won't have to worry about spills.

barnsdale · 05-12-2014, 03:09 PM

Yeah I picked up a nice blue cooler from canadian tire and I needed to use a little muscle getting it in the trunk but it worked. Keep searching

lowbudgethero · 05-12-2014, 03:16 PM

I frequently have to move large containers in my car so I found what works best is: put a large blanket down with the seats up and wrap the large part of the seat belt around it to keep it from moving.

shah269 · 05-14-2014, 07:52 AM

Camping...white people pretending to be homeless?
I don’t get it!
But if you are going to do it do it right!
Try using two smaller coolers instead of the one big one.
As a reformed white guy who only stays in hotels now I once use to camp!
And let me tell you there is nothing more comfy than a nice cooler to sit on when the mosquitoes are drinking your blood by the gallon!
So get one for you and get one for her, use it to sit on while in front of the little fire you made using extra damp wood and pee covered pine needles.
Also using two coolers will keep your food longer and you can use one for the raw meets and the other for the dry stuff. Trust me on this.....

SecretAsianMan · 05-15-2014, 09:47 PM

Thanks everyone for the tips and advice! We found one that is supposed to be good for 5 days of camping, Coleman's highest insulated model, and dimensions suggest it *might* fit, but I couldn't find it locally. Bought online, so if it fits great, if not I'll return it and go for 2 small ones. I'll update in case other people are interested.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

If your 135 is the "practical car" of the family, im curious what other cars you guys have

Just 2 cars, mine is a Porsche 997 Carrera S

I have a GT3 front spoiler which is darned low, and a GT2 rear wing.

mike@x-ph.com · 05-15-2014, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SecretAsianMan

Thanks everyone for the tips and advice! We found one that is supposed to be good for 5 days of camping, Coleman's highest insulated model, and dimensions suggest it *might* fit, but I couldn't find it locally. Bought online, so if it fits great, if not I'll return it and go for 2 small ones. I'll update in case other people are interested.

Just 2 cars, mine is a Porsche 997 Carrera S I have a GT3 front spoiler which is darned low, and a GT2 rear wing.

SecretAsianMan · 05-15-2014, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shah269

Camping...white people pretending to be homeless?
I don’t get it!
But if you are going to do it do it right!
Try using two smaller coolers instead of the one big one.
As a reformed white guy who only stays in hotels now I once use to camp!
And let me tell you there is nothing more comfy than a nice cooler to sit on when the mosquitoes are drinking your blood by the gallon!
So get one for you and get one for her, use it to sit on while in front of the little fire you made using extra damp wood and pee covered pine needles.
Also using two coolers will keep your food longer and you can use one for the raw meets and the other for the dry stuff. Trust me on this.....

Hmm that is pretty smart. One cooler for drinks (constantly getting opened) one for the food (opened a couple times a day)....

X5-4me · 05-16-2014, 09:40 AM

Still like the idea of pulling a small trailer.

SecretAsianMan · 05-24-2014, 10:02 PM

I wanted to follow up just in case it helps anyone else.

The Coleman 50qt Xtreme cooler looks like it will just barely fit. It seems to be a really nice cooler and has wheels + a handle for easy moving. But the claimed dimensions are totally wrong and there is no way to get it into the trunk. Getting it into the back seat is also extremely difficult, especially when it's full and heavy. Returned it, not recommended.

The Igloo Super Tough 54 quart sportsman doesn't have wheels, but seems to be nice (so far) and fits perfectly into the 135's trunk.

05-10-2014, 11:44 PM	#1
SecretAsianMan Enlisted Member 17 Rep 43 Posts Drives: Porsche 911 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	Camping with a 135 My wife and I are gearing up to do a little camping - too bad for her, her 135 is our "practical" car. We're having a heck of a time finding a decently large (50-60 quart) cooler that can fit in the trunk. Has anyone found one that can do it? They're all almost exactly tall enough to just barely not fit through the trunk opening.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

05-11-2014, 10:41 AM	#2
X5-4me Captain 58 Rep 636 Posts Drives: 23 Audi S5 cp, 25 X5 40i Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Stanwood, wa. iTrader: (2)	Install a trailer hitch.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-11-2014, 01:50 PM	#3
MuNkY6913 The Crowing 118 Rep 2,005 Posts Drives: BMW 135i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: State College, PA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2009 135i [8.00]	Fold the seats down and take it through the front? I had a pretty big cooler in my backseat last year for camping. Not sure how big but is was the bigger ones. This process would be a pain if it does work specially when the cooler is full. __________________ 2009 135i : BMS JB4 G5 ISO,CXRacing FMIC Kit,Injen Cold Air Intake,Evolution Raceworks Charge Pipe,Walboro Inline Fuel Pump, E85 BMS Backend Flash w/ 60% E85,BMS Meth injection (trunkmount),BMS dual meth nozzles,Spec stage 2+ clutch w/ steel SWFW,BMS Catless Downpipes,Berk Tech Race Axleback
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-11-2014, 09:05 PM	#5
SecretAsianMan Enlisted Member 17 Rep 43 Posts Drives: Porsche 911 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the tips! Munky did you find the cooler sit fine on the seats folded down? I noticed they don't fold flat, so I was concerned about possible spills with a cooler tipping over. Roof rack is a great idea. Unfortunately I'm having a hard time convincing the wife to uglify her vehicle with a roof rack If there's a roof rack that can pop on/off very quickly it might be feasible. I guess it would be great to have a separate food and drink cooler.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-11-2014, 09:36 PM	#7
ShocknAwe 1Addict 5088 Rep 9,049 Posts Drives: N54 E82, M57 E70, 964 C4 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Charleston iTrader: (22)	Big cooler in the back seat. Or 2-3 smaller coolers in the trunk. __________________ 2010 E82 1 Series M Clone Hydra Performance augmented OEM+
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-12-2014, 06:39 AM	#8
Billup Banned 487 Rep 928 Posts Drives: Your mum crazy. Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Baconopolos Island iTrader: (0)	I use the backseat, just have to move the passenger seat all the way forward then fold the rear seats down. It's kind of a pain because it just BARELY squeezes between the door frame and the passenger seat, I have to get the angle just right, otherwise I can't seem to get it back there. Definitely a little pain, but you can fit a pretty decent sized cooler in the back seat.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-12-2014, 01:58 PM	#10
cheshirecat79 Captain 32 Rep 919 Posts Drives: 370z & 135i Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Port Saint Lucie, FL iTrader: (0)	You're going to have to go with a medium size cooler through the front, without a doubt. The rear needs to be tasked with everything else. The seats don't fold down perfectly flat, but as long as you haven't overfilled the cooler and have the drain plugged, you won't have to worry about spills.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-12-2014, 03:09 PM	#11
barnsdale Lieutenant 72 Rep 476 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 6MT AY Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Toronto, ON iTrader: (1)	Yeah I picked up a nice blue cooler from canadian tire and I needed to use a little muscle getting it in the trunk but it worked. Keep searching
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-12-2014, 03:16 PM	#12
lowbudgethero Captain 125 Rep 751 Posts Drives: '98 Z3M (gone), '09 135i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: 908 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 135i [9.00]	I frequently have to move large containers in my car so I found what works best is: put a large blanket down with the seats up and wrap the large part of the seat belt around it to keep it from moving.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-14-2014, 07:52 AM	#13
shah269 Major 377 Rep 1,035 Posts Drives: 2009 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Camping...white people pretending to be homeless? I don’t get it! But if you are going to do it do it right! Try using two smaller coolers instead of the one big one. As a reformed white guy who only stays in hotels now I once use to camp! And let me tell you there is nothing more comfy than a nice cooler to sit on when the mosquitoes are drinking your blood by the gallon! So get one for you and get one for her, use it to sit on while in front of the little fire you made using extra damp wood and pee covered pine needles. Also using two coolers will keep your food longer and you can use one for the raw meets and the other for the dry stuff. Trust me on this.....
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-16-2014, 09:40 AM	#17
X5-4me Captain 58 Rep 636 Posts Drives: 23 Audi S5 cp, 25 X5 40i Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Stanwood, wa. iTrader: (2)	Still like the idea of pulling a small trailer.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-24-2014, 10:02 PM	#18
SecretAsianMan Enlisted Member 17 Rep 43 Posts Drives: Porsche 911 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	I wanted to follow up just in case it helps anyone else. The Coleman 50qt Xtreme cooler looks like it will just barely fit. It seems to be a really nice cooler and has wheels + a handle for easy moving. But the claimed dimensions are totally wrong and there is no way to get it into the trunk. Getting it into the back seat is also extremely difficult, especially when it's full and heavy. Returned it, not recommended. The Igloo Super Tough 54 quart sportsman doesn't have wheels, but seems to be nice (so far) and fits perfectly into the 135's trunk.
	Appreciate 0 Quote