Choosing the right refrigerated van means looking beyond the make, model and refrigeration unit. The vehicle needs to suit the products you transport, the temperatures they require and the way your team operates every day, while still giving you the load space, payload and reliability you expect from a commercial vehicle.
At CoolVan, we specialise in refrigerated transport backed by over 25 years of experience, supplying new and used fridge vans from leading manufacturers for businesses across the UK. From ready-to-go refrigerated vans to conversion options tailored to specific requirements, we offer chilled, frozen and dual-temperature solutions to suit a wide range of temperature-controlled transport operations.
If you’re looking for your next refrigerated vehicle, here are five reasons to choose CoolVan.
1. Over 25 years of refrigerated transport experience
Refrigerated transport has been our speciality for more than 25 years, and in that time we’ve seen just how much the requirements of one business and sector can differ from the next. Maintaining the right temperature is undoubtedly important, but so are the payload you need to carry, the space available, how often the doors are opened and the distances the vehicle will cover each day.
These details can make a difference to the type of van or conversion that would be best suited to your business. A vehicle making frequent multi-drop deliveries, for example, will experience repeated door openings throughout the day, while a van covering longer distances may need to maintain its temperature for extended periods between loading and unloading. Even when the required temperature is the same, the demands placed on the vehicle can be very different.
That’s why we look at how your refrigerated van will be used before recommending a setup. Whether you’re transporting food and drink, pharmaceuticals or other temperature-sensitive products, we can use our experience to help you find the right combination of base vehicle, insulation and refrigeration for the job.
2. Chilled, frozen and dual-temperature options
Not every business needs to start from scratch when buying a refrigerated van. We carry a range of fridge and freezer vans that are already converted and ready to roll, covering different makes, models, sizes and temperature requirements. If we have a vehicle that ticks the boxes for what you need, you can choose your van and get on the road without waiting for a bespoke build.
But sometimes an off-the-shelf setup isn’t quite right. You might need a particular temperature range, a different internal layout, multiple temperature zones or additional features that suit the way your team loads, transports and delivers your products. In those cases, we can create a bespoke fridge van conversion tailored around your operation.
There are a couple of ways we can approach this. If you already own a suitable van, we can convert your existing vehicle into a fridge or freezer van. Alternatively, tell us what you need, and we can source the base vehicle and complete the refrigerated conversion for you, keeping everything together as one service.
Whether the right option is one of our ready-to-roll fridge or freezer vans or a conversion built around more specific requirements, you’re not limited to a standard setup or pushed towards a bespoke build you don’t need.
3. Fridge vans from a choice of leading manufacturers
The base vehicle matters just as much as the refrigeration behind it. Load space, payload, vehicle dimensions, fuel type and the routes you cover can all affect which van makes the most sense, and preferences can be just as important when you already operate a particular manufacturer across your fleet.
Our makes and models include the leading manufacturers and the most popular vans used for refrigerated transport, including Ford, Volkswagen, Renault, Peugeot, Citroën, Nissan, Vauxhall, MAN and Maxus. With a broad range of new and used refrigerated vans available, you can find different sizes, specifications and temperature options in one place, whether you need a compact van for local deliveries or a larger vehicle for higher-volume work.
Our team is also approved or recognised by leading vehicle manufacturers, giving our customers even more confidence that our conversions meet strict engineering and compatibility criteria.
As an in-house conversion company, we are:
- Recognised within the Ford Pro Programme
- An approved converter for Citroën, Peugeot, Vauxhall, Fiat and Toyota through the Stellantis Group
- A Volkswagen approved conversion partner
- An approved conversion partner for Nissan and Renault
- A Mercedes-Benz Associate VanPartner
These relationships reflect the standards behind our conversions and the range of base vehicles we work with. They also mean you can choose from some of the best-known and most widely used commercial vans, with certainty that the refrigerated conversion is compatible with the vehicle.
4. All fridge van conversions are completed in-house
Our bespoke fridge van conversions are completed at our own manufacturing facility in Lancashire, giving us complete control over the design, manufacture and testing of every conversion we produce. With specialist equipment and an experienced team all under one roof, we can take a conversion from the initial specification right through to a fully tested, finished vehicle.
We use CAD-CAM technology to machine our Polycore insulation panels specifically for the make and model of the van being converted. This creates a precise fit throughout the load space, reducing areas where temperature can escape while making the best use of the available space. Polycore itself provides strong thermal performance without adding unnecessary weight, helping retain more of the vehicle’s available payload. It’s also made from recycled plastic bottles, contains no wood, fibreglass, GRP sheet or metal, and can be recycled again at the end of its usable life.
Testing is completed in-house too. Before a bespoke conversion leaves us, we put it through our £100,000 temperature-controlled test facility, where we can measure thermal efficiency, temperature retention and recovery. This allows us to check how the insulation and refrigeration system perform together and make any necessary adjustments before the finished van goes out to work.
5. Free UK mainland delivery
Our home is in Lancashire, but our customers are based across the country, so every fridge van we sell includes free UK mainland delivery directly to your business. Whether you choose one of our ready-to-roll stock vans or a bespoke conversion, we’ll arrange delivery to your premises once the vehicle is complete and ready to go.
We also complete the handover in person. A member of the CoolVan team will take you through the vehicle and refrigeration system, show you how to use the temperature controls and answer any questions before handing over the keys. Your van arrives fully prepared and ready to go straight to work.
Delivery times will depend on the vehicle you choose. Our ready-to-roll vans are already converted and can often be prepared for delivery within a few days to a week once the paperwork and payment are complete. Bespoke conversions naturally take a little longer, depending on the vehicle and specification. We’ll give you an expected timeframe and keep you updated along the way.
If you’re based outside mainland UK, we can also deliver your fridge van free of charge to a UK mainland port of your choice, ready for you to arrange onward transport to its final destination.
Your next fridge van starts with CoolVan
Choosing the right refrigerated van comes down to finding a vehicle that works for your products, your routes and the way your business operates day to day. With over 25 years in refrigerated transport, we understand the practical details that can make a difference, from temperature performance and payload to choosing the right base vehicle and refrigeration setup.
At CoolVan, you’re not limited to one route. We have a wide range of ready-to-roll fridge and freezer vans available from leading manufacturers, alongside the in-house facilities and expertise to create something more specific when you need it.
Whether you’re buying your first fridge van, replacing an existing vehicle or expanding your fleet, our team is here to help you find the right solution and get it on the road.
Take a look at our latest fridge vans, find out more about our bespoke conversions, or fill out our online form to tell us what you’re looking for. You can also speak to our team directly on 0207 781 8205 or 0161 751 7140.
