Refrigerated vans play a vital role in transporting perishable goods across a wide range of industries – and with more than 25 years of experience, nobody knows that better than our team at CoolVan.
Equally, we know that sometimes, there are instances when a standard refrigerated van won’t do the job – specifically, when you may need to move products that must be kept at different temperatures, such as frozen items and chilled goods. This is where dual temperature vans come in. These specialised vans are designed to carry two distinct types of temperature-sensitive products at the same time, helping your business to stay efficient, flexible, and fully compliant with food safety and transport regulations – and of course, we’ve got a wide range of them to choose from.
In case you need a quick primer on them, just below we’ll explore how they work, and why they’re becoming increasingly indispensable across multiple sectors. First though, let’s start with the fundamentals.
What are dual temperature vans?
Dual temperature vans are refrigerated vans fitted with two separate compartments, each of which can be set to its own temperature range. Typically, one section is configured for frozen goods (usually around -18°C), while the other maintains a chilled environment (often between 0°C and +5°C). These vans are fitted with partition walls that create a physical divide between compartments, preventing temperature bleed and cross-contamination.
The compartments are usually powered by a single refrigeration unit with split-system technology, or in some cases, two independent units for greater control. This setup provides the ability to transport a wider variety of products in a single journey, which can go a long way towards improving the overall efficiency of your operations, as well as reducing fuel consumption and environmental impact.
How do temperature zones work?
Temperature zones in a dual compartment van are created using an insulated bulkhead – a rigid partition that separates the internal cargo space into two or more chambers. These zones are each connected to a refrigeration system capable of regulating specific temperature levels.
Modern dual temperature vans often come with digital control panels that let drivers or operators set and monitor the desired temperature for each zone. Some models even feature remote monitoring to ensure the correct conditions are maintained throughout transit. Air curtains, fans, and temperature sensors all further assist in maintaining consistency and integrity across compartments. (The two most pivotal elements to all this are obviously the insulation involved, and the refrigeration system itself.)
The key benefits of dual temperature vans
Dual temperature vans bring several valuable advantages to the table when you’re dealing with perishable goods. The most significant benefits include:
- Reduced operational costs
- Greater delivery flexibility
- Improved compliance with regulations
- Lower environmental impact
So, let’s take a look at each one of these in a bit more detail.
Reduced operational costs
Essentially, consolidating frozen and chilled transport into one van can go a long way towards helping to reduce fuel, labour, and maintenance costs. Instead of sending out two separate vans for different types of goods, one dual temperature van can handle the full load – helping to cut down on overheads and improve scheduling efficiency.
Greater delivery flexibility
Having both compartments in one van supports more dynamic route planning. That can potentially help you to fulfil a wider range of orders on the same run, including those that require mixed temperature products. It’s especially useful for multi-drop deliveries, and clients with varied product needs.
Improved compliance with regulations
Industries such as food distribution and pharmaceuticals are bound by strict rules regarding temperature control and hygiene – as you’ll already know if your company operates in these sectors. Dual temperature vans can help you to meet these obligations more easily by offering precise control and monitoring, which is vital during audits or inspections.
Lower environmental impact
Using one van instead of two reduces emissions and fuel consumption, which can be particularly useful for helping you to reduce your carbon footprint. Many dual temperature units are also designed to be energy-efficient, making them a more environmentally responsible choice overall.
Which sectors use dual temperature vans the most?
The food and beverage industry is by far the most prominent user of dual temperature vans. Supermarkets, catering companies, meal prep services, and wholesalers all benefit from the ability to deliver both chilled and frozen products in a single run. For instance, a catering firm may need to transport frozen desserts alongside fresh salads and dairy – a task made simple with dual temperature logistics.
Pharmaceutical and medical sectors also rely heavily on this type of van. Vaccines, certain medications, and biological samples often require very specific temperature conditions, and the ability to manage multiple storage environments simultaneously is vital to ensuring that these sensitive materials arrive in perfect condition.
Event and hospitality services are another area where dual temperature vans prove invaluable. From festivals to private functions, there’s often a need to transport a variety of food and drink items that must be stored at different temperatures – all while maintaining rigorous safety standards.
They’re all sectors which we have a proven track record of providing exemplary service to here at CoolVan – so if you’re looking out for the very best dual-temperature refrigerated van for your own purposes, you’re in exactly the right place. Amongst our range you’ll find Volkswagen Crafters, Ford Transits and Renault Masters, just to name a few! And of course, if you ever have any questions, or need any advice, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 0161 751 7140, or email us on sales@coolvan.co.uk, and we’ll be happy to help however we can!
