Fitting Out a Refrigerated Van: Everything You Need to Know About Technical Solutions, Timings and Costs
If you handle perishable or heat-sensitive products, sooner or later you will have wondered how to best equip a refrigerated van. Maintaining the cold chain is essential, but solutions can vary greatly depending on your needs, budget and type of work.
From a simple “isothermal box” to more complex systems with refrigeration units or eutectic plates, there is no shortage of options.
Let’s take a look at the main points together.
What do you need to use it for?
Transport vs Distribution
The first thing to ask yourself is whether you will be making a single trip with final delivery or a distribution with many stops.
If you open your van a few times (for example, transporting goods directly from point A to point B), you can also settle for a less sophisticated system such as a single isothermal box.
If, on the other hand, you need to open the cargo area frequently for deliveries to several customers, you will need solutions capable of withstanding these continual temperature fluctuations.
What temperature do you need to maintain?
Fresh or frozen?
Understanding the temperature at which you want to store the product is essential. Transporting fresh goods at 0°C is different from having to keep frozen goods at -20°C.
If you have to handle fresh and frozen products at the same time, the issue is complicated: you may need systems that manage multiple temperatures in the same vehicle.
What vehicle are you going to use?
Permanent fit-out or insertion of a box?
In some cases, a cold room is permanently installed inside a van or truck. In others, all that is needed is to fit a mobile isothermal box, without modifying the vehicle in an invasive manner.
The choice depends on the volume of goods, the frequency of use and the flexibility you need.
Is a simple isothermal box enough?
If you need to cover short distances and do not open the van frequently, a container that maintains the temperature for the duration of the journey (perhaps an hour or slightly longer) may suffice.
It is an economical solution, perfect for a craftsman who transports their products from a workshop to a shop, without too many intermediate stops.
Do you have to make long trips with several van openings?
Level up if you need longer trips or multiple openings. A refrigeration unit powered by the vehicle battery cools the isothermal box while the engine is running.
Ideal for maintaining 0°C over long distances or with several stops, because the temperature is easily restored after each opening.
Large-scale distribution and subzero transport
For those of you who have to go down to -20°C and run into battery power limitations, eutectic plate systems are available that accumulate the cold overnight.
The eutectic liquid freezes at very low temperatures (for example -30°C), and gradually releases the cold during the day, guaranteeing thermal autonomy even without a refrigeration unit running continuously.
These are the most complex systems, but also by far the most effective for those with special needs.
Time and costs: two important variables
How much does it cost?
It is difficult to provide a standard figure: this ranges from around €1,000 for a basic system (for example a simple isothermal box) up to €30,000 for larger and more complex installations, which able to handle different volumes and temperatures.
The price increases with the capacity, the need for active refrigeration and the presence of multiple compartments.
How long does it take?
On average, a fit-out can take from 5 to 7 weeks.
This includes the design, production of isothermal parts and/or construction of refrigeration or eutectic systems, plus any fixed installation in the vehicle.
Fitting out a refrigerated van requires careful evaluation: the type of goods, the frequency of opening, the temperatures required, the loading volume and the available budget. Often, it is an investment that pays off in terms of quality of transport and protecting the goods.
Whether you are a small-scale producer with few deliveries or a distributor supplying dozens of outlets, there is always a tailor-made solution. And with the right planning — and perhaps some advice from experts in the field — you can guarantee optimum thermal reliability and the satisfaction of your customers (as well as your own!).
If you need personalised support or want to find out more about configuring your vehicle, ES Frigo is here to help you find the perfect solution — whether it’s a simple isothermal box or a eutectic plate system built for the toughest routes.
Do not hesitate to contact us: the cold is our job!
