How much does a refrigerated van cost to rent?

There are lots of companies all over the world renting out refrigerated vans, and sometimes renting a van like this on the rare occasions that you need it can be a good alternative to purchasing one and having it as a rarely used vehicle in your logistics fleet. As you can imagine, the price varies, depending on a number of different factors.

The first thing that you should take into account is the size. If you need a large refrigerated van then you can expect to pay a larger price than if you only needed a small van. However the difference might not be as much as you think. Usually refrigerated van hire companies only charge a small percentage more for their larger refrigerated vans than they do for their medium ones.  Of course you’ll also have to take into account the fact that you are likely to spend a bit more on petrol.

Some refrigerated van rental companies only rent out vans made by a single manufacturer, in a range of sizes. Others have a choice of vans from different manufacturers, from solid and reliable companies like Ford to companies closer to the cutting edge of engineering like Mercedes Benz. A lot of the big car manufacturers also make refrigerated vans, and good rule of thumb is that if their cars cost more than the market average, their refrigerated vans will too. However, you should do some research into each model, because some models are sold with different manufacturers badges and different model names. You could end up renting a van that is substantially the same as a cheaper van for an inflated price, just because of the badge. It always pays to do your research.

Types of Insulation to Consider

When selecting a refrigerated van to rent, you should always pay attention to the insulation. Many people are surprised to learn that it’s the thickness and quality of the insulation, rather than the power of the cooling system, that has the biggest influence over the temperature of the refrigerated compartment in the van. If you need to transport goods at very low or even freezing temperatures, then you’ll need a considerable amount of insulation. Of course the insulation is also one of the most expensive components in the freezer van system, and rental companies will generally charge more for refrigerated vans with thicker insulation.

Types of Cooling Systems to Consider

Some refrigerated vans have multiple compartments. Each compartment will be maintained at a different temperature. For example, one compartment may be used to transport frozen goods, and the other compartment may be used to transport chilled goods. This feature can be incredibly useful for refrigerated van renters, and can often do the job of two vans in one, saving them a huge amount of money. However vans like this are generally more expensive to manufacture, especially if they have different cooling systems in each compartment for maximum precision. This price is usually passed on to the renter.

As you can see, there are a wide variety of factors that go into determining the rental price of refrigerated vans. There are likely to be multiple companies renting out refrigerated vans in your local area. Some of them will be big international rental chains, and others will be much smaller operations. You shouldn’t make any assumptions when considering which company will be cheaper. Like anything else, shop around for the best deals. The price differential can be considerable. Glacier Vehicles sells competitively priced used and new fridge / freezer vans, which may be more cost effective to renting in the long run.  Give us a call today!

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