Portable storage unit and a cooler for vehicles

A portable storage unit for a vehicle seat includes a generally rectilinear housing having a plurality of pull-out drawers and a fixed shelf with an overlying cover serving as a writing surface. The drawers and shelf may be compartmentalized to provide storage compartments for various articles such as pens, pencils, paper, and food articles, such as packets of condiments. The storage unit may have a beanbag-type flexible container secured along its bottom surface enabling the flexible container to conform to the contours of the vehicle seat such that the flexible container maintains the overlying housing in a stable, upright position on the seat. In another form, the cooler includes a housing having an insert for containing a cooling medium and a door for selective access to a cooling chamber defined by the insert. The insert is removable for purposes of replenishing the cooling medium. The cooler has a strap for securing it behind of the front passenger seat back whereby the cooling chamber is accessible by the driver of the vehicle.