Different Types of Refrigerated Vans: Choosing the Right Cool Transport

by Rechel

Let’s Find the Perfect Cold Truck for You!

Have you ever seen food, flowers, or medicine inside a special van? That van is called a refrigerated van. It keeps things cool or frozen, just like a big fridge on wheels! People also call them reefer vans. If you want your milk, cake, or ice cream to stay fresh, you need the right van.

At CLW GROUP, I help you find, build, and take care of these cool vans. My team makes sure you get the perfect chilly ride—fast, easy, and made just for you.

Why Do You Need a Refrigerated Van?

Let’s use some pictures. Think of cake at a summer party. Without a fridge, the frosting melts. Yuck! Now think of medicine. It needs to stay cold, or it stops working. And what about flowers? They wilt without cool air.

Many things need to be cold while they travel:

  • Food (fruits, dairy, ice cream)
  • Medicine
  • Flowers
  • Even cakes and bread!

That is why special vans, called temperature controlled vans, are important.

Types of Refrigerated Vans by What They Do

Not every cool van is the same. Some vans keep things warm, some keep things super cold.

TypeKeeps ColdUsed For
Chilled Vans0°C to +8°C (cool, not frozen)Milk, cakes, salads
Freezer Vans-18°C to -25°C (ice cold and frozen)Ice cream, meats
Multi-Temperature VansBoth chilled and frozen, 2 spacesCakes and ice cream!

My vans use bulkheads to separate cool and frozen spaces.

Different Sizes for Different Drives

Not all jobs need the same van. Some are small. Some are huge. Let’s see:

1. Small Refrigerated Vans

  • Fits in tight spaces or busy city roads
  • Good for florists or a small bakery
  • Uses a panel van like Ford Transit Connect or Ram ProMaster City
  • Easy to drive and park

2. Medium-Sized Refrigerated Panel Vans

  • Great for food stores, medicine, or big cake orders
  • Based on bigger panel vans: Ford Transit, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Ram ProMaster
  • Gives more room, more payload
  • Balance between small and big

3. Large Refrigerated Box Trucks & Cutaways

  • Big! For a lot of food or long trips
  • Uses chassis cabs or trucks like Isuzu N-Series, Ford F-Series
  • Has a separate insulated box
  • Lots of space for bulk delivery

Tip: Small vans are quick and nimble. Big trucks carry a lot but need space to turn. Which do you need for your business?

How Do Vans Stay Cool?

Keeping things cold on the road is important. I use the best ideas:

  • Engine-Driven Refrigeration Units: Uses the van’s engine to cool things.
  • Electric Standby Units: Plug it in, keep things cold when parked.
  • Direct Drive Units vs. Self-Contained Units: Direct comes from van’s engine; self-contained has its own power.
  • Eutectic Systems/Cold Plates: They store cold and release it during short trips.

For hot city trips, I pick the best van refrigeration solutions for you!

What Makes a Van Good at Keeping Things Cold?

Insulation is key. It’s like a big jacket! My vans use the best materials:

  • Polyurethane Foam: Keeps out heat, saves energy
  • Fiberglass: Durable and light

Inside, we use aluminium or fiberglass linings. Easy to clean, won’t rust.

Floors are strong, and the doors seal tight. No warm air comes in!

I add clever temperature loggers. They show the temperature all day. Better for safety, better for your cargo.

How to Pick the Right Refrigerated Van

Picking a van is like picking shoes. Different jobs need different ones!

Ask yourself:

  • What do I need to keep cold? (Chilled goods or frozen goods)
  • How far do I drive? (City, long roads, lots of stops?)
  • How much do I carry? (Check payload and Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW))
  • How much do I want to spend? (Look at purchase, lease, and running costs)
  • What rules must I follow? (HACCP, FDA regulations, cold chain)
  • You can buy a van, lease one, or use used refrigerated vans. I help with all options, plus after-sales and technical consulting services too.

    Base Vehicles I Recommend and Customize

    I make cool vans using the best commercial vehicles. Here are some I use:

    Van/Truck ModelGreat For
    Ford TransitMost sizes, very popular
    Mercedes-Benz SprinterMany sizes, strong and safe
    Ram ProMasterTough, roomy, easy drive
    Isuzu N-Series (Box Truck)Big, big loads
    Chevrolet Express/GMC SavanaOlder, mostly for big boxes

    Want to see more about special trucks? Visit my specail trucks factory page!

    Important Stats: See How We Help You Win!

    Here’s a simple table with big facts you need to know:

    FeatureData
    Chilled Van Temperature0°C to +8°C
    Freezer Van Temperature-18°C to -25°C
    Payload Loss (from conversion)10-20% less than factory van
    Unit Cost$5,000 – $15,000+ per system
    Insulation MaterialPolyurethane Foam most common
    Growing Market Speed5-7% more every year
    Extra Fuel Used for Cooling5-20% more, depending on trip
    Door Openings Matter?Yes! Too often, cold air escapes fast

    I make sure top technology, like temperature monitoring and fleet management systems, keeps you ahead. This means less food waste, less worry, more happy customers.

    Want to know more about fleet trucks? See my auto transport page.

    Why Choose CLW GROUP?

    • Customized Production: I build any van you want.
    • Delivery Services: Fast, anywhere you need.
    • After-Sales Support: Help when you need it.
    • Technical Consulting: Answers, advice, and training.

    You get more:

    • The best refrigerated van cost
    • Lots of choices: new, used, leased
    • All refrigerated vehicle insurance and support

    Need a van to haul other things? Check out my strong material handling cranes or my reliable rear loader garbage truck.

    Summing Up: What Should You Do Next?

    You have seen small vans, big box trucks, and everything in between.

    You have learned about refrigeration units, insulation, payload, and more.

    You know, not all cold vans are the same.

    You need the right tool for your job. That is where I come in.

    I bring your cold dream to life: fast, safe, and made for you.

    Call me at CLW GROUP. I help your goods stay cool, always.

    References

    • "Cold Chain Vehicle Market Report," Transport Times, 2023.
    • FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, 2024.
    • CLW GROUP Technical Archive, 2024.

    With me, your cold is always under control.

    Ready to roll? Let’s build your cool van today!

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