6 Things To Consider When Investing In A Refrigerated Van

Refrigerated vans can offer countless benefits, such as increased sales, better customer reach, and more satisfied customers. However, the selection process may not always be simple, especially if this is your first time investing in one. And with the different options available on the market, it might be hard to choose the best for your business.  

To help you make a wise choice, there are various things you need to consider, and these are as follows: 

1. Know What Your Business Needs 

Before investing in a big or small refrigerated van, it is essential that you understand what your business needs and how you want to use the vehicle. If your business transports perishable items daily, you might require a more sophisticated van than you would if you only have to transport such items occasionally. 

For instance, if you need to transport food for special occasions like corporate holiday parties or weddings, it makes more sense to opt for a less expensive refrigerated van that can keep your items chilled for a short period. On the other hand, if you’re delivering raw fish or meat from one region to another, you might want to invest in bigger refrigerated vans. 

2. Budget and Affordability

If you’re planning to start a transport business and think a refrigerated van is crucial for your operations, you need to consider your budget. Ideally, you should know your budget before you start your search. If you’re clueless about how much you need to spend on a refrigerated van, you can check with sales representatives. They can help you set your budget and find the ideal vehicle for your business without breaking the bank. 

Once you have set your budget, you’ll also need to factor in the truck’s affordability. Note that a low-priced vehicle may not necessarily translate as the best option. Whether or not you have an unlimited budget, it is always best to know what you need specifically to operate your business. This does not only help you save time, but it can also help you enjoy savings over time.  

3. Temperature Requirements

Another factor you have to weigh in is your products’ temperature requirements during transportation. Different trucks may offer different temperature ranges, so choose the one that matches your business needs.  

Most items may perish when left above or below a specific temperature. For instance, if you need to deliver frozen goods, it’s necessary that your refrigerated van has the right temperature to keep them in good condition. Once you know the temperature range to keep your items protected and safe, you can quickly select the right refrigerated van. 

4. Size

The refrigerated van’s width and length can determine what you can haul, what kind of license is required to drive it, and where you can park it. In addition, a refrigerated vehicle that’s too big for your needs can only be a waste of your hard-earned money and may consume more fuel. Therefore, you would want to purchase a vehicle of the right size to carry all the items you need to transport.  

You can check the manufacturer’s documentation to know the vehicle’s dimensions and maximum cargo volume. The van’s maximum loaded weight and tare weight must also be considered if you’re in a region where license classes are determined based on the maximum gross loaded weight. 

5. Fuel Efficiency

In general, refrigerated vans use more energy and fuel as compared to regular vans to run the engine and sustain the required temperature. Fuel consumption may also vary depending on the size and condition of your truck. 

With that, it’s recommended to check the fuel efficiency when looking at your options. More so, you can opt for the latest and newest models, as many of these are engineered with fuel-efficient technologies designed to help you save on fuel. 

6. Features

Depending on how you’ll use the refrigerated van, additional features may be necessary to ensure fresh food delivery. Some of these features may include: 

• Interior cargo lighting
• Grocery hooks for easy transportation
• Wire racks to place the items on for better cargo stacking
• Shoring bars to keep the items in place
• Roto-molded construction for protection against dents in case some items are crushed due to improper stacking

Aside from what’s noted above, you may also consider extra compartments and shelving to separate various items and keep them well organized. Besides, maximizing the space of a refrigerated van can help you get more value for your money while keeping your products safe. 

Conclusion

Purchasing a refrigerated van is a huge investment for your business, and you don’t want to make the wrong choice. And so, as much as possible, you’d want to do research and weigh your options carefully before finalizing your decision.

You can keep the above considerations in mind. You can also ask for suggestions from other people who have invested in a refrigerated van.