The reason why yoghurt stays fresh on the shelf and medicines arrive safely where needed? The answer: refrigerated transport, also known as conditioned transport. But behind such reliable delivery lies more than just refrigerated trucks. Think of technology, regulations, and practical choices that directly impact your business decisions. Whether you've been active in refrigerated transport for years or are about to buy your first refrigerated truck: good preparation prevents problems on the road. In this article, we tell you everything you need to know about refrigerated transport. From the different types of trucks with refrigeration to electric alternatives and from legal requirements to practical buying tips. refrigerated trucks
Conditioned transport involves transporting temperature-sensitive products. This can include dairy, meat, fish, medicines, or flowers. Think, for example, of logistics companies supplying supermarkets or the supermarket delivering your groceries to your home. All goods that must be stored within a specific temperature range to maintain their quality and food safety. If that temperature is exceeded, there's a high chance the cargo becomes unusable.
To prevent that, a reliable refrigeration system is very important. The cargo area of a truck for conditioned transport is actively cooled, often with the help of a specially built-in refrigeration unit. At the same time, a well-insulated refrigerated truck body ensures that the temperature remains stable, even in extreme outside temperatures.
Refrigerated trucks come in various variants, each designed for a specific application. We'll briefly discuss the differences.
Isothermal truck: This has an insulated cargo area but no active refrigeration unit. This makes it especially suitable for transporting products that are only on the road briefly or are not highly temperature-sensitive, such as flowers for local deliveries or products that are already cooled and only need to travel a short distance.
Refrigerated truck: For cargo that needs to travel longer distances or requires a constant, low temperature, a refrigerated truck with an active refrigeration unit is indispensable. This unit ensures that the temperature in the cargo area remains continuously under control, regardless of the outside temperature. This type of refrigerated truck is often used for transporting meat, fish, or dairy products where freshness is very important.
Freezer truck: Do you work with frozen goods like ice cream or frozen meals? Then a standard refrigerated truck won't suffice. Freezer trucks are equipped with powerful cooling systems that can handle temperatures down to -20°C or even lower.
A refrigerated truck is more than a truck with a cold cargo area. Everything starts with the refrigeration unit. This unit must be powerful and reliable but preferably also efficient. Insulation is equally important. A poorly insulated refrigerated truck body literally lets your cooling leak away. The temperature control system also deserves attention. Modern systems offer continuous monitoring and automatic adjustment. Another indispensable factor? Good air circulation. Without that circulation, temperature differences can arise within the same cargo, resulting in spoiled products.
Refrigerated transport comes with a significant amount of legislation. This is for good reason: transporting perishable products is a major responsibility. The most well-known standard is ATP: an international guideline that precisely prescribes the technical requirements a refrigerated vehicle must meet. Without a valid ATP certificate, you cannot legally perform refrigerated transport in many countries. This certificate must also be renewed periodically through inspections.
For food transporters, the HACCP regulations are also important. These rules are aimed at ensuring food safety. Think of keeping the cargo area clean and minimizing the opening of the door. The GDP guidelines are leading for transporters of pharmaceutical goods. Here, the emphasis is on keeping medicines intact during distribution.
A refrigerated truck must be highly reliable. Regular maintenance is therefore essential. Have the refrigeration unit checked at least twice a year, inspect the insulation, and ensure the doors continue to close properly. Additionally, temperature management is a continuous process. Modern refrigerated trucks are equipped with data loggers or even live monitoring via apps. This allows you to monitor the temperature and, for example, set alarms.
Buying a refrigerated truck is not something you do lightly and is something you want to think through carefully. In addition to the different types of refrigerated trucks, you can also choose from various brands. Do you opt for a Volvo refrigerated truck, Mercedes refrigerated truck, or Scania refrigerated truck? We understand that this is a difficult choice at BAS World. Therefore, contact us, and our experts will be happy to assist you in finding the perfect refrigerated truck.
