Get a rotomolded cooler. Yeti is fine, but not special.

Yes. Pelican, Orca, or even the Igloo IMX line will survive a jobsite better than a cheap Coleman, and they cost less than the Yeti tax.

Rotomolded coolers are basically indestructible. They’re one-piece construction, thick walls, and the hinges and latches are built to take a beating. I’ve seen a Pelican survive falling off the back of a pickup at 40 mph. A standard plastic cooler would have cracked and spilled ice everywhere.

Which one to pick? Pelican is the value king. Same rotomolded shell as Yeti, similar ice retention, but usually $50–$100 cheaper. If you want a drain plug that doesn’t suck, Orca has the best one. Yeti is fine if you want to flex on the crew, but you’re paying for the logo.

One thing nobody talks about: the gasket seal. After a year on a dusty jobsite, some coolers start leaking air. Yeti and Pelican both hold up well, but I’d check the seal every few months. A cheap replacement gasket is better than a new cooler.

Don’t overthink it. Get a Pelican 45 or an Orca 40. Ice stays cold for three days, and the cooler will outlast your truck.