Lifestyle
Tesla Model S Front Trunk (Frunk) Electric Cooler Review
Now that Tesla Motors has officially demonstrated to the world that long distance and even cross-country travel in a Tesla is easily attainable – annihilating the age-old lexicon “EV range anxiety” from everyone’s vocabulary – we thought it might be appropriate to review a product that would maintain the quality of perishables during these extended road trips.
We were on a mission to find a container that would be lightweight, portable and provides thermoelectric cooling / heating capabilities and came across the Koolatron Soft-Sided Electric Travel Cooler.
Koolatron 26-Quart Soft-Sided Electric Travel Cooler
What we really liked about the Koolatron is that it’s designed with the everyday traveler in mind. The thermoelectric cooler has a generous 26-quart capacity and outfitted with several compartments, most of which are secured through zippered pockets.
We found that the ergonomics of the soft-sided design combined with the detachable shoulder strap makes it more comfortable to lug around than your traditional hard-sided cooler.
A 12V electric fan is attached to the thick thermo lining and together they ensure that the contents of the cooler are kept at optimal temperatures while you’re on the go.
Product Specifications
- Soft-sided thermoelectric travel cooler with 12V, cigarette-lighter car adapter
- Detachable shoulder strap
- Bungee cord holds extra items to the lid of the cooler
- External zippered pockets for storage
- Mesh interior pocket
- 2 external beverage holders
- Cell phone pocket
- Holds 26 quarts or up to 34 12-ounce cans
- Cord pocket keeps the 12V cord out of the way when you’re on the move
- Keeps food and drinks 30°F below ambient temperatures
- Measures 9 by 17.5 by 15 inches; weighs 7 pounds
How does it fit within the Tesla Model S?
The first thing to note is that the Koolatron Soft-Sided Electric Travel Cooler
Its 26-quart capacity can easily accommodate a full set of plastic ware and beverage containers.
Despite its tall dimension, the travel cooler fits perfectly within the Tesla Model S front trunk (Frunk), 
when positioned onto its side, which further validates how great the Model S is when it comes to storage capacity (more on that in a separate article to come). The bungee cords on the top lid can be extended outwards and used as a means to secure the cooler from movement during travel.
Editors’ note: The Tesla Model S front trunk cargo net may provide better security in the event of emergency braking.
One notable feature of the Koolatron Electric Travel Cooler is that that it’s soft-sided which makes it easy to transport and secure within tight spaces. This is especially the case when fitting the cooler within the interior of the Model S.
The cooler can be placed onto the empty center channel floor once the external beverage holders are folded down. Keeping the cooler between the two front seats means that there’s no lateral movement while the car’s in motion, kept away from children, and also adds an element of convenient when trying to dine-in-car (à la Bjorn Nyland).
The Koolatron Soft-Sided Electric Travel Cooler fits snugly between the arm rest assembly and touchscreen.
Tip: Those with the optional CCI can either place the cooler on top or along the floor of the 2nd row seating.
How does the electric cooler work?
As its name implies, the Koolatron 26-Quart Soft-Sided Electric Travel Cooler is made for travel and not meant to be used as a refrigerator or toaster oven. The electric fan is great for extracting warm air from within, but we found that bringing contents from room temperature to 30°F below ambient temperatures, as marketed, could be a lofty goal. That being said, it’s great at maintaining temperature and contents that are pre-chilled remain chilled for a long time while the cooler is plugged in.
The cooler comes standard with a 12V cigarette-lighter adapter which plugs directly into the Model S center console assembly. Reversing the orientation of the cable from blue to red will enable the heating capabilities of the travel cooler, making it convenient to keep foods warm.
An 110V adapter
Conclusion
The Koolatron 26-Quart Soft-Sided Electric Travel Cooler
Its large 26-quart capacity along with its multiple external pockets provides easy access to your belongings while on the move and all for a moderate price of $129.97
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[box type=”bio”]TESLARATI provides impartial reviews and is in no way paid by the vendor for the content that is produced.
Elon Musk has been pretty open about the idea of FSD being the difference maker for Tesla’s future.
If Tesla succeeds in achieving FSD, it could become the world’s most valuable company. If it doesn’t, then the company would not be able to reach its optimum potential.
FSD Supervised’s safety benefits:
- But even if FSD is still not perfect today, FSD Supervised is already making a difference on the roads today.
- This was highlighted in Tesla’s Q4 2024 Vehicle Safety Report.
- As per Tesla, it recorded one crash for every 5.94 million miles driven in which drivers were using Autopilot technology.
- For comparison, the most recent data available from the NHTSA and FHWA (from 2023) showed that there was one automobile crash every 702,000 miles in the United States.
This morning, Tesla FSD proved to be an absolute godsend. I had to take my brother-in-law to the hospital in Sugar Land, TX, which is 40 miles away, at the ungodly hour of 4 AM. Both of us were exhausted, and he was understandably anxious about the surgery.
— JC Christopher (@JohnChr08117285) January 29, 2025
The convenience of…
FSD user’s tale:
- As per an FSD user’s post on social media platform X, FSD Supervised was able to help him drive a relative to a medical facility safely even if he was exhausted.
- During the trip, the driver only had to monitor FSD Supervised’s performance to make sure the Tesla operated safely.
- In a vehicle without FSD, such a trip with an exhausted driver would have been quite dangerous.
- “This morning, Tesla FSD proved to be an absolute godsend. I had to take my brother-in-law to the hospital in Sugar Land, TX, which is 40 miles away, at the ungodly hour of 4 AM. Both of us were exhausted, and he was understandably anxious about the surgery.
- “The convenience of sending the hospital’s address directly from my iPhone to my Tesla while still inside my house, then just a single button press once inside, and 40 miles later we were precisely in front of the hospital’s admissions area.This experience really underscores just how transformative this technology can be for society,” Tesla owner JC Christopher noted in his post.
Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.
There are few things that prove an enthusiast’s love towards a company more than a dedicated short film. This was highlighted recently when YouTube’s SoKrispyMedia posted a 10-minute action movie starring Optimus, Tesla’s humanoid robot, as well as several of the company’s most iconic products.
The video:
- Shot like a Hollywood action flick, the video featured a rather humorous plot involving a group of thieves that mistakenly targeted a Tesla Model 3 driver.
- The Model 3 driver then ended up speaking to Tesla for assistance, and some high-octane and high-speed hijinks ensued.
- While the short film featured several Tesla products like the Model 3, Superchargers, and the Cybertruck, it is Optimus that truly stole the show.
- Optimus served several roles in the short film, from an assistant in a Tesla office to a “robocop” enforcer that helped out the Model 3 driver.
Future Robo-cop @Tesla_Optimus
— SOKRISPYMEDIA (@sokrispymedia) January 12, 2025
full video: https://t.co/TXpSRhcP5K pic.twitter.com/YFHZ7siAP7
Cool inside jokes:
- The best Tesla videos are those that show an in-depth knowledge of the company, and SoKrispyMedia definitely had it.
- From the opening scenes alone, the video immediately poked fun at TSLA traders, the large number of gray Tesla owners, and the fact that many still do not understand Superchargers.
- The video even poked fun at Tesla’s software updates, as well as how some Tesla drivers use Autopilot or other features without reading the fine print in the company’s release notes.
- The video ended with a tour de force of references to Elon Musk products, from the Tesla Cybertruck to the Boring Company Not-a-Flamethrower, which was released back in 2018.
Check out SoKrispyMedia’s Tesla action short film in the video below.
Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.
Tesla definitely seems to be determined to release the coolest lineup of accessories for its coolest vehicle. As could be seen in an update to the Tesla Shop, the electric vehicle maker has now launched a metal key card for the Cybertruck—because why not?
Cybertruck keys:
- The Cybertruck, similar to Tesla’s other vehicles, is shipped with a regular key card.
- The vehicle could also be accessed and locked through a phone key.
- As per the Cybertruck’s Owner’s Manual, the all-electric pickup truck is capable of supporting a total of 19 keys.
The Cybertruck’s Metal Key Card:
- Tesla’s Cybertruck Metal Key Card functions much like the vehicle’s regular key card, but it is finished using premium stainless steel
- As per Tesla’s description of the item:
- “Convenient, durable, versatile. The Cybertruck Metal Key Card is a premium stainless-steel alternative to our traditional plastic key cards, making it easy to access your Cybertruck without your Phone Key. Ideal for when your phone is unavailable or when sharing your vehicle with a friend or valet.”
- The Cybertruck Metal Key Card costs $60.
- In comparison, the Cybertruck’s regular key card is sold for $40.
- The Cybertruck Metal Key Card comes with the metal key card itself, as well as a bifold key card wallet.
Tesla Cybertruck merch push:
- Being the company’s most eye-catching vehicle, it is no surprise that that Tesla has been releasing quite a lot of merchandise inspired by the all-electric pickup truck.
- These include a $250 levitating Cybertruck model, as well as a $35 Cybertruck wind-up racer, both of which are out of stock.
- Tesla also sells the $35 “CyberMug,” a $40 “CyberStein,” and a $50 “CyberVessel.”
- Other Cybertruck-inspired merchandise are the $60 Cyberwhistle Stealth, and the $50 CyberOpener.
Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.
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