Get a cooler that fits your truck bed, not the other way around

Yes, brands like Yeti, Pelican, and RTIC make coolers designed to fit truck beds and SUV trunks—but you still need to measure first.

The main difference is shape and tie-down compatibility. Truck-bed coolers are often narrower or lower-profile so they slide between wheel wells or sit flush under a bed cover. Some have molded slots for ratchet straps, non-skid bottoms, and drain plugs placed so you can drain without pulling the cooler out.

For trunks, look for wheeled models that are shorter in height (to clear the trunk lid) and have a flat bottom so they don’t tip over. Pelican’s 20-quart Elite and Yeti’s Roadie 24 are popular because they fit in most trunks without hogging all the space.

But honestly, if you already own a standard rectangular cooler, you can make it work with bungee cords or tie-downs. The dedicated truck/trunk coolers are nice but not magic. The real trick is measuring your bed or trunk’s usable space in three dimensions, not just guessing.

Measure twice, buy once. Your back seat will thank you.