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Cold storage trailers come in a variety of shapes and sizes with different technical specifications and at different prices. In this section, we go over the main questions you’ll need to answer to find the right solution for whatever you plan to use your fridge trailer for.

What Size Refrigerated Trailer Do I Need?

The first step is to figure out your cold storage space needs. Renting a trailer that’s too small can leave you with not enough space for everything you need to keep cold. A refrigerated trailer that’s too large will cost more than you need to spend in rental fees and electricity.

Generally speaking, there are two popular sizes of trailers that can accommodate most uses.

6’ x 12’

The smaller 6’ x 12’ trailer is a relatively compact, efficient mobile cold storage unit. They are cheaper to run than larger units and easier to move in, out, and around sites. These reefers are well-suited for most small-to-medium-sized applications, including:

• Catering events
• Temporary storage for smaller restaurants
• Pop-up medical sites
• Vendor storage for farmer’s markets

6’ x 16’

Larger trailers provide ample space for applications with big storage needs. While they cost more to rent and can be more challenging to maneuver, they can handle the refrigeration needs of just about any job. Some of the most popular uses for these larger fridge trailers include:

• Temporary storage for large restaurants and hotels
• Semi-permanent medical sites
• Seasonal venue cold storage
• Construction site cool-down rooms

How Much Does It Cost To Rent a Refrigerated Trailer?

The average cost of renting a refrigerated trailer runs between $250 to $600 per day. Rental prices for refrigerated trailers depend on several key factors, including:

• Size: In general, the larger a trailer is, the more expensive it will be to rent.
• Rental time: Refrigerated trailer rental companies typically offer daily, weekly, and monthly rates. Some may offer longer terms. In general, the cost-per-day of renting a cold storage trailer goes down the longer your rental term is.
• Location: Rental trailers are subject to local market rates just like most goods and services. Prices in your area are likely to be a little different than those in other parts of the country.
• Specifications: Refrigerated trailers have different built-in equipment and capabilities. Some can reach freezer temperatures, while others can only refrigerate. More powerful fridge trailers tend to be more expensive to rent.
• Company: As you’d expect, different companies have different rental rates, even for the same exact trailers.

Short-Term vs. Long-Term Refrigerated Trailer Rental

Rates can vary significantly based on your rental term. For example, our 6’x12’ trailer rental starts at $275 per day at the daily rate, but for $1,600 total for an entire month — about $53 per day.

This is because much of the work of renting out a trailer is in coordinating the rental and getting it to and from a site. Since you only have to pay for a company’s services once, that cost gets spread out over the entire rental term, whether you’re renting for a single day or three months.

What Do I Need at My Site for a Refrigerated Trailer?

The site needs for your rental trailer can vary depending on its make and model and other factors. We chose our rental units with ease of setup and breakdown in mind. As a result, the list of things to consider for site preparation is small and simple:

• Standard 110V/15 amp power outlet
• A level space equal to or greater than the size of your trailer plus two feet of clearance on each non-door side
• Four feet of space on the door side of the trailer to allow for loading and unloading
• Clear pathway to get in and out of the space