Fridge Trucks For Sale

What are fridge or temperature-controlled trucks and what are they used for?

Refrigerated box trucks, also commonly known and referred to as “Fridge trucks”, “reefer trucks” and “temperature-controlled trucks”, are essential for transporting perishable goods at precise, temperature-controlled conditions across the UK. From fresh produce suppliers and beverage distributors to Butchers, Fishmongers, Chilled delivery vehicles, event caterers, and medical supply companies, a wide range of industries literally depend on these invaluable trucks to keep products fresh from pickup to delivery, every day.

While early refrigeration relied on ice blocks and cooler wagons, the early 1940s saw the introduction of trucks with portable mechanical cooling units. Today, advanced engine-powered refrigeration and temperature management systems ensure that goods stay at exact temperatures, usually between 0-4 celsius. Common items transported include dairy, produce, meat, seafood, frozen foods, medications, plasma (blood), flowers, and even delicate artwork that may be susceptible to damage from warmer temperatures when moving from museum to museum.

How do fridge or ‘reefer’ trucks work?

There are three main parts to temperature-controlled fridge trucks, the truck chassis, the Box Body, and the ‘cooling unit’. Here at Mac’s, we use a variety of chassis for our fridge trucks for sale, from DAF, like the XB260 to Volvo, like the FE320 to Mercedes-Benz. The second component is the body, this differs from a normal Box Van that’s used for general haulage, as the walls have a special layer of polyurethane foam with insulating properties that help maintain the cold temperature while keeping heat out. This could be compared to taking a cooler or icebox to the park or beach as it works in the same way, just on a much bigger scale!

The third key element of a fridge truck is the cooling unit, which itself is made up of 4 parts.

• Compressor: This is used to circulate the refrigerant around the system.
• Condenser: This takes heat absorbed from the fridge trucks box interior and expels it into the external air
• Evaporator: Absorbs heat to lower the temperature
• Thermostat: This controls the overall function, speed, and power of the unit to get the inside temperature to the desired figure, usually 0-4c, depending on the load being transported. Some refrigeration trucks come with temperature displays in the cab, so the driver can actively monitor how the load is doing.

Some well-known and commonly used brands of chiller unit are Thermo King and Carrier Transicold.

What sizes and capacities do Fridge Trucks come in?

Available in a huge array of sizes and options, the most common sizes for our Rigid fridge trucks are 7.5T, 16T, 18T, 26T & 32T. Example capacities are 18 pallet loads on 26T, which is a very useful amount, with a body length of 9500mm, Or, 16 pallet capacity on the 18T fridge trucks, with a body length of 8500mm.

Temperature Zones & Sections

Modern refrigerated trucks for sale are designed with multiple temperature control zones, allowing a single truck to transport various types of perishable cargo simultaneously. With fixed partitions or modular setups, these trucks can carry items requiring ambient, refrigerated, and frozen conditions—all in one trip.

To improve efficiency, side doors provide quick access to specific temperature zones, minimizing chilled air loss compared to opening the main rear doors. Many models also feature tail lifts, making it easier to unload pallets with a hand truck. For short-range deliveries, some refrigerated trucks even come with curtain side bodies, allowing for convenient side unloading, streamlining the process for businesses focused on quick, efficient distribution.

Standby Facilities for Refrigerated Trucks

Standby facilities enable **refrigerated trucks** to keep their cooling systems running efficiently even when the engine is off. This system connects to an electrical mains power source or generator, providing a continuous power supply to maintain temperature control.

An overnight standby system is an electric plug-in feature that can be added to a refrigerated truck. It provides crucial flexibility for maintaining refrigeration when the truck is stationary. However, standby systems are best installed during the initial vehicle conversion process rather than retrofitting, making them a valuable feature for resale.

Using heavy-duty cables to connect the refrigeration unit to the power source offers flexibility and efficiency. Longer cables can connect to distant power sources, and thick-core cables are typically used to minimize voltage drops, blown fuses, and tripped circuit breakers, enhancing the reliability of your refrigeration system.

It’s important to ensure the power supply is stable and adequate, as insufficient power can lead to equipment failure. Standby facilities are especially useful for stationary cooling needs, such as catering events or parties, keeping products chilled during unloading, or pre-cooling the truck’s storage area before transport. To activate, simply connect the truck to mains power or a generator, switch on the power, and adjust the temperature settings as needed.

Browse our Fridge trucks for sale

Explore www.macstrucks.co.uk to find new and used fridge trucks from renowned manufacturers including DAF, VOLVO, Mercedes and Scania.  With 50+ years of experience in commercial vehicles, we offer expert guidance to help you find the ideal vehicle for your business needs. Have any questions? Contact us today to speak directly with our fridge truck specialists.