"Revive Your Coleman Cooler with These Easy Plastic Hinge Solutions for both Temporary and Long-Term Fixes"

Mike Simons opted to use an ice chest for storing his cold food during his regional company truck runs. The ice chest had Coleman cooler hinges that were made of plastic, and one of them broke during the use of the unit. As we have an affiliate relationship with Amazon.com, we purchased hinges similar to the ones that came with Mike's ice chest. We improvised a temporary fix for the broken hinge and later made a permanent replacement. This page recounts the steps we took to solve the problem.

Mike preferred using an ice chest over other cold food storage methods because the other methods had failed him in the past, leading to spoiled food and wasted money. Therefore, we had to find a solution to the broken hinge problem, which we expound on this page.

When looking for a new ice chest, we settled for the Coleman 6-Day 50 Quart Ultimate Xtreme Wheeled Cooler because it was advertised to keep “ice up to six days in temperatures up to 90 F.” Its performance surpassed that of our previous ice chests.

The photo depicts the plastic hinge from the unit that connects the lid and ice chest body via anchoring with metal screws. The hinge is structured to allow the lid to swing back only so far. When the lid is open, the “stops” integrate into each other; the top part has two notches, while the bottom part has three.

Another photo indicates the broken hinge that Vicki removed from Mike's ice chest. The connector was on the left as viewed from the back of the unit. Vicki speculates that the hinge's deterioration was due to frequent contact with the side of the cabinet that Mike stored the ice chest under in his truck.

Vicki improvised a temporary fix by vertically mounting two jumbo coated paper clips between the ice chest body and the horizontally mounted hinge pieces, using screws to anchor the assembly in place. As the lid opened and closed frequently, the paper clips bent back and forth, hence becoming weaker until they could no longer perform their function. Vicki replaced the paper clips a few times while exploring other options, including trying to find replacement hinges from the manufacturer.

Looking for Coleman cooler hinges? Look no further than the Coleman website, where you can find a range of options to choose from. However, it's worth noting that other retailers may also stock these hinges, although the price may vary.

One factor to consider when looking for replacement hinges is the material they are made from. Vicki discovered that both the original Coleman hinges and manufacturer's replacements are plastic, which can be prone to breakage. With this in mind, she searched for other options that might be sturdier and more reliable.

Measuring the distance between the screws on her ice chest, Vicki attempted to find a different kind of hinge that would fit. However, despite purchasing a hinge that seemed to match her measurements, she found that it didn't quite fit the holes in her cooler.

Continuing her search, Vicki explored hinges that were larger, some with squared edges and others with rounded edges. Some even had up to four screw holes on each side. However, the aim was to find something that was sturdy but could also work with the four existing screws on the ice chest.

Eventually, Vicki settled on a 3-inch brass hinge with a non-removable pin, which was wider and longer than the original hinge. With some careful punching of new screw holes with a blunt-tipped awl, the new hinge was successfully installed using a Phillips head screwdriver.

The end result was a brass hinge that not only looked good but also worked perfectly when opening and closing the lid. You can see both hinges from the inside when the lid is open, with the plastic hinge on the left and the brass hinge on the right. A close-up view of the brass hinge shows that there are no issues with rotation, thanks in part to the built-in indentation in the plastic. So if you're looking to upgrade your Coleman cooler hinge, consider brass as a sturdy and reliable option.

Please take a moment to observe the pictures above and see how the indentation appears when the lid is closed.

Mike received a tip from Vicki that installing the brass hinge will prolong the lifespan of the ice chest.

While the cost of the replacement part may seem insignificant compared to other products showcased on this website, we are pleased with our decision to choose this durable and cost-effective option.

For additional information on this topic, feel free to check out our update.

Expert tip: As a professional driver, it is vital to ensure that any repairs or replacements made to your equipment are done with care and consideration.

It is crucial to note that repairing or substituting a part with a non-authorized repairman or an after-market product that is not manufactured by the original company may result in a voided warranty. However, selecting a sturdy replacement, like our brass hinge, may prove to be a wise investment in the long run.

Remember: The old adage "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without!" may not always apply to the world of trucking.

For further reading, please visit our Meal Preparation page or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.