Consider these things when choosing a cold storage van

PANDEMIC-induced industry growth has not been more evident as in the food and medical industries. The common denominators to these industries are cold storage and single sourcing. For food, it is the commissary and for vaccines, like that for the current COVID-19 program from airport to CoVax warehouse.

According to truck building expert Centro, when ordering a refrigerated van, not knowing your operating parameters may lead you to a mistake in the specifications. This might be an expensive and time-consuming ordeal.

This is a truth that logistics company Nonpareil knew very well when they purchased their refrigerated trucks. They paid attention to the requirements and created a master plan to purchase, not on a whim, but in a calculated and calibrated manner, looking at the temperature and handling requirements of their partner Pharmaserve, in the management of the COVID-19 vaccines. Being first time buyers of “refers” they asked professionals on what to do.

As a result, they have never failed in the delivery of vaccines nationwide and had learned very well how the technical aspects fall into place.

The refrigerated truck (it may also be a pick-up or a van) is simply a mobile temperature-controlled container. The general equipment in this mobile freezer is the refrigeration unit, piping, insulation, and temperature sensors and controls. Of these items understanding the insulation is crucial. Just how much insulation is needed?

“You just need an insulated dry box using about 2” thick insulated sandwich panels (ISP). If you need to maintain a temperature range of +2 to +8 degrees Centigrade, then what you need is a chiller of about 3” thick ISP. If you need a temperature of up to -25 C, then you will need a freezer of about 4” thick ISP,” says Centro experts responding to a query.

To avoid the pitfalls if selecting a proper refrigerated van, buyers should at least know seven things before ordering the next batch of ref vans. Centro offers these additional pieces of advice:

1. Cargoes or commodities to be transported. This will determine the temperature at which the goods will be transported. It will also help if you know the melting point or melting temperature of the cargo. For all you know, you just might need an insulated dry box and not a ref van at all. But if you do need a ref van, this will determine the type of cooling system needed, whether chiller or freezer.
2. Temperature or range to be maintained. The desired transport temperature or temperature range will determine the type of cooling unit needed, whether chiller or freezer and the thickness of the ISP for the ref van body to be used. So your next question will be: can I have a freezer unit but if needed, operate it as a chiller? The answer is yes, since ref vans are equipped with a thermostat and a temperature controller that allows you to do this. Needless to say, if you have either a chiller or a freezer, just turn off the ref system and you have an insulated dry van. Talk about multi-tasking.
3. Your operating procedure. How do you load and unload your cargoes? Is the ref system turned on or off during loading and unloading? How long does it take? How many kilometers or hours is a typical delivery cycle? How many “drops” or stops are there as this translates into door openings? All these will be needed by your ref van supplier to be able to recommend the perfect ref van to match your operating needs.
4. Volume or weight of cargo to be transported. This is called the payload and will determine the size or gross vehicle weight (GVW) of the truck and the size of the truck body (LxWxH) to be mounted on it.

   

5. Body size and specs. Normally, ref van suppliers already have standard measurements for the LxWxH of the ref van box. The most important dimension needed here is the thickness of the ISP. This influences how fast the desired temperature is achieved and how efficiently it is going to be maintained over a period of time. The truck body size also determines the size and specifications of the components of the cooling system, including the compressor and the fan that generates the airflow inside the box. For the material of the ISP, go for one that is less absorptive of water yet is lightweight and has a low thermal conductivity, such as extruded polysterene (XPS).
6. Preferred truck brand and refsystem. Normally, a customer approaches his preferred truck dealership if he wants a ref van. And more often than not, it is the most common, most reliable truck in his fleet. He also already has a preferred ref system in mind. He wants to take advantage of economies of scale. So all that is needed now is to determine the correct body size and specs. It is advisable to go to a ref van supplier who can mix and match body sizes with truck brands and models and with ref system brands available. This is best served by a local manufacturer of ISP who has the facility to cut and trim the ISP panels to the desired panel sizes.

   Consider specially how some truck engines are not originally designed to handle the extra power needed by the compressor, so an alternator upgrade might be needed. Make sure this is part of the deal!

   In choosing the truck and ref system brands, look at their warranty coverage and their track record in delivering after-sales service nationwide in terms of competent technicians and spare parts support.

7. Options available. Depending on the kind of operations, there are many options intended to make things faster and more convenient. Do you need a side door at the curbside to facilitate loading and unloading. How about a hydraulic tailgate lift for easier loading or unloading of heavy cargoes at the rear. If the ref van might be used as a storage facility overnight or even longer consider a standby 220-volt power supply provision to drive the compressor and the fans. Also know that the front cab aircon for the driver and the passengers use different refrigerants from the van and the ref systems are different, thus needing a separate compressor. Questions to ask are whether there still enough room in the engine compartment or can the engine take it?
8. Body beauty. Purchasers overlook the need to beautify the the vehicle but good branding is part of the whole package. Consider having flat laminated aluminum sheets for the side of the vehicles so that these are easier to have stickers applied to it. Painting is an option but an expensive one so best to avoid it.

Centro Manufacturing Corporation, the country’s leading truck body builder has partnered with Japan’s leading truck body builder Nippon Fruehauf to locally manufacture ISP using XPS then using these ISP to assemble temperature-controlled vans.

The Centro-Nippon Fruehauf-Cooltech truck is re-engineered  to mix and match body sizes with different truck brands and models and ref systems preferred by the customer. Constructions takes only seven working days if retail and within Metro Manila or surrounding provinces.

Proudly Philippine-made these Cooltech refrigerated van are built with the most stringent Japanese build expertise and quality control.