Choosing the right refrigerated box for your truck is a multifaceted process. It’s not just about the size and price of the refrigerated box, but also about the type of cargo you plan to transport, the temperature requirements during transportation, and the frequency of use of the truck. Choosing the right refrigerated box can ensure the safety, quality and transportation efficiency of your cargo, while also reducing long-term operating costs. Therefore, you need to carefully evaluate the following key factors before making a decision.
Temperature Range
Different types of cargo have different temperature requirements. For example, some cargo may need to be kept below 0°C (such as frozen foods or medicines), while others only need to be stored at low temperatures (such as vegetables, fresh meat, etc.). Some refrigerated trucks are designed for freezing temperatures (below 0°C), while others are for chilled cargo (between 0°C and 10°C). If you plan to transport both frozen and refrigerated items, you may need a dual-temperature refrigerated truck box.
Cargo Size and Volume
The size and volume of a refrigerated truck box is critical because it directly affects the type and quantity of goods transported and the efficiency of transportation. Choosing the right refrigerated truck box size not only requires considering the volume of the goods, but also the transportation route, the temperature control requirements of the goods, and the convenience of loading and unloading. Therefore, you should consider the volume of the products to be transported and the size of the refrigerated box should be able to withstand the maximum load and be easy to load and unload.
Common Refrigerated Truck Box Sizes and Volumes
| Type | Dimensions (L × W × H) | Volume range | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light Duty Refrigerated Truck | 3.0m – 5.0m × 2.0m × 2.0m-2.3m | 12 m³ – 25 m³ | Transportation of fresh food, dairy products, vegetables and fruits, and medicines |
| Medium Refrigerated Truck | 5.0m – 7.0m × 2.3m × 2.3m-2.6m | 20 m³ – 40 m³ | Deli food, frozen food, beverages, flowers |
| Heavy Duty | 7.0m – 12.0m × 2.5m × 2.5m-3.0m | 35 m³ – 70 m³ | Bulk frozen food, bulk fruit, seafood |
Insulation Materials
Insulation materials play a vital role in maintaining the required temperature in refrigerated truck boxes. High-quality, well-insulated box panels can reduce energy consumption and help maintain stable temperatures. Today, refrigerated truck boxes are mostly made of foam sandwich panels. Common core materials include PU (polyurethane) foam, XPS (extruded polystyrene) foam, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) foam. Common skin materials include FRP (fiberglass reinforced plastic), aluminum, pre-coated steel, etc. The thicker the insulation panel layer, the better the insulation effect and the higher the energy efficiency. Depending on the temperature requirements, the thickness should usually be at least 50 mm to 100 mm.
Refrigeration Units
The refrigeration unit is the core equipment to ensure that the goods are kept at a suitable temperature during transportation, especially for the transportation of perishable items such as food, medicine, etc. For large and heavy goods, larger compressors and refrigeration units are required. For lighter and smaller goods, a smaller unit may be sufficient.
According to the power source, the refrigeration unit of the refrigerated truck can include the following:
1. Electric Refrigeration Unit (Independent Unit)
This unit is powered by an external power source. Electric refrigeration units are often used in situations where lower noise and lower operating costs are required. Its advantage is that it can reduce dependence on the engine and is suitable for short-distance transportation or urban distribution.
2.Engine-driven Refrigeration Unit (Non-Independent Unit)
This refrigeration unit is powered by the truck engine and is generally suitable for long-distance transportation. The engine-driven refrigeration truck refrigeration unit is usually powerful and can provide strong refrigeration capacity during long-term and high-load transportation. The disadvantage is that it relies on the truck engine, may increase fuel consumption, and cannot work when stationary.
3. Dual-power Refrigeration Unit (Hybrid Unit)
This unit combines two power sources: engine drive and electric drive. When the truck engine is working, the refrigeration unit uses the engine to provide power; when the truck is parked or entering an urban distribution area, the electric drive can continue to provide power for the refrigerated truck, avoiding engine idling and reducing noise.
Floors
The floor directly affects the stability, cleanliness, thermal insulation and transportation efficiency of the goods. The floor not only needs to bear the weight of the goods, but also needs to be able to withstand low temperatures, be easy to clean and ensure the safety of the goods during transportation.
Common refrigerated truck floor materials include the following:
1. Aluminum Alloy Floors
Aluminum alloy floor is usually lightweight, corrosion-resistant, high-strength, and low-temperature resistant, and is suitable for long-term use in refrigerated trucks. Single aluminum alloy floor is relatively slippery, and some anti-slip design may be required to ensure the stability of the goods during transportation.
2.Plywood Floors
Plywood has good strength and toughness, is relatively economical, and can provide good compressive resistance. However, plywood has strong water absorption. If the waterproof layer is not well done, it may absorb moisture, swell, and rot.
3.FRP Floors
Fiberglass flooring combines the high strength of glass fiber and the corrosion resistance of resin. It is suitable for use in various harsh environments, especially in the field of refrigerated transportation that requires low temperature and high hygiene requirements. However, its surface is easily damaged or worn and requires regular maintenance.
Doors
Different types of door designs can meet different opening and closing requirements, space requirements and safety requirements. Common door types include swing doors and roll up doors.
Swing doors offer a durable, secure, and energy-efficient option for maintaining temperature control in refrigerated vehicles. However, their need for additional space to open and the potential for air loss during loading and unloading.
It’s a durable, energy-efficient and safe way to maintain temperature control while providing easy access to goods.
Subframe
The subframe of a refrigerated truck (also called “auxiliary frame”) is an important part of the refrigerated truck frame structure. It is mainly used to support and connect the refrigerated truck body with the main frame and provide additional strength and stability. The subframe is usually located at the bottom of the refrigerated truck and is responsible for bearing the weight of the refrigerated truck body and cargo, while bearing the dynamic loads generated during transportation.
1.Galvanized Steel
Galvanized steel is steel treated with a zinc coating to improve corrosion resistance, especially in wet environments or environments susceptible to chemical corrosion. Galvanized steel is often used in refrigerated truck subframes to prevent rust or corrosion during long-term use.
2.Aluminum Alloy
Aluminum alloy subframes are lighter than steel subframes, have better corrosion resistance and low temperature resistance, and will not rust. Due to its low density, aluminum alloy can reduce the weight of the entire vehicle and improve fuel economy.
Internal Layout
The internal design of the refrigerated truck box is crucial to ensure that the goods maintain the appropriate temperature and safety during transportation. Effective internal design can not only optimize space utilization and reduce temperature fluctuations, but also improve loading and unloading efficiency and ensure the quality and safety of goods during transportation.
TOPOLOGROUP is a highly regarded professional truck body manufacturer based in China, specializing in the design and production of advanced, high-quality refrigerated box boby for a wide range of industries. With extensive experience in the field, TOPOLOGROUP offers customized refrigerated boxes tailored to meet the specific needs of clients in sectors such as food transportation, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and logistics.
Learn about customized Refrigerated Box Bodies in TOPOLOGROUP.