7 things to consider when ordering a ref van

When ordering a refrigerated van for your business, it is important to know your operating parameters to avoid inaccuracies in the specifications that may cause a costly and time-consuming ordeal.

In technical terms, the vehicle is known as temperature-controlled van. Remember that when you just need to keep ambient temperature within the box, you do not actually need a ref system at all. What you’ll need is an insulated dry box with about two-inch-thick insulated sandwich panels (ISP). If you need to maintain a temperature range of 2 to 8 degrees Centigrade, you’ll need a chiller of about three-inch-thick ISP. Meanwhile, if you need coldness of -25 degrees Centigrade, what you’ll need is a freezer and about a four-inch-thick ISP.

When you need to order your next batch of ref vans, it is important to consider these seven things:

Cargo to be transported

Knowing the type of payload will help determine the temperature needed. It is also important to know the melting point or melting temperature of these goods. This will help in determining the type of cooling system needed — whether a chiller or freezer.

Required temperature

The desired transport temperature or temperature range will also determine the type of cooling unit needed, and the thickness of the ISP to be used for the ref van body. You can also have a freezer unit that can also be operated as a chiller if needed since ref vans come with a thermostat and a temperature controller that allows you to do this. You can also turn off the ref system if the cargo only needs an insulated dry box.

Operating procedure

It is important to let your ref van supplier know how you load and unload your cargo, whether the ref system is turned on or off during loading and unloading, how long the loading and unloading take, how many kilometers or hours a typical delivery cycle would be, and how many stops are involved in a typical delivery cycle.

Cargo payload

The volume and weight of the cargo will help determine the gross vehicle weight (GVW) of the truck and the size of the truck body.

Body size and specs

The truck body size will determine the size and specifications of the components of the cooling system, including the compressor and the fan that produces the air flow inside the box. It is also important to know the desired thickness of ISP at is influences how fast the desired temperature is achieved and how efficiently it is going to be maintained over a period of time. It is best to choose an ISP with a material that is less absorptive of water, is lightweight, and has a low thermal conductivity, such as extruded polysterene (XPS).

Preferred truck brand and ref system

A client would usually approach the most reliable truck brand in his fleet if he wants to purchase a ref van. He might have also determined the preferred ref system for the cargo. To know the correct body size and specs that will help the business achieve economies of scale, it is recommended to go to a ref van supplier who can mix and match body sizes with truck brands and models and with ref system brands. It is best to visit a local ISP manufacturer who has a facility to cut and trim the ISP panels to the desired sizes.

Since some truck engines are not specifically designed to handle the required extra power by the compressor, make sure that the ref van supplier has upgraded the alternator.

It is also important to check out the truck supplier’s warranty coverage and track record in delivery after-sales service nationwide in terms of expert technicians and spare parts support.

Available options

It is also important to know the available truck features in the market as there are many options intended to make things more efficient for your business. Some trucks are equipped with a side door at the curbside to make loading and unloading easier. Others have a hydraulic tailgate lift that helps in loading and unloading of heavy cargoes at the rear. If you’ll need to use the ref van as a storage facility overnight, some truck suppliers offer a backup 220-volt power supply provision to drive the compressor and the fans.

If you’re looking for a truck body builder that would cater to all your logistics needs, Centro Manufacturing Corporation has partnered with Japan’s leading truck body builder Nippon Fruehauf to locally manufacture ISP using XPS for temperature-controlled vans. Centro Nippon Fruehauf Cooltech Inc. have re-engineered their products so they can mix and match body sizes with different truck models and ref systems preferred by the client. As part of its commitment to provide fast production and delivery service, all retail orders within Metro Manila and surrounding provinces are delivered within seven working days.

Photos from Centro Manufacturing Corporation