Cold Storage Tips
10 minute read

Beyond the Fridge: Everything You Need to Know About Renting Cold Storage

refrigerated trailer at outdoor event - refrigerated storage rental
Written by
Icebox Staff
Published on
November 12, 2025

Your Guide to On-Demand Cold Storage

Refrigerated storage rental is a flexible solution that provides temporary, on-site cold storage through mobile cooler and freezer trailers delivered directly to your location.

Quick Answer - What You Need to Know:

  • What it is: Mobile refrigerated trailers (walk-in coolers and freezers) delivered to your site
  • Temperature range: Refrigeration (35°F-42°F) or freezer (down to 0°F)
  • Sizes available: Small (10'L x 6'W), Medium (12'L x 7'W), Large (16'L x 7'W)
  • Power needed: Standard 110-volt, 20-amp outlet (or generator)
  • Typical pricing: $130-$220/day, $715-$1,190/week, $2,505-$3,750/month
  • Common uses: Events, restaurant overflow, equipment repairs, seasonal peaks, emergencies

Whether your restaurant's walk-in cooler just failed, you're catering a large wedding, or your brewery is hitting a seasonal production peak, the problem is the same: you need extra cold space, and you need it now.

Traditional solutions often fall short. Buying a permanent unit is expensive and slow. Renting off-site warehouse space means constant transport. Standard coolers simply can't handle the volume.

The solution: Mobile refrigerated trailers delivered right to your door. These are not semi-trucks, but compact, portable walk-in units that sit on-site at your location, providing dedicated cold storage exactly where you need it.

This guide covers everything you need to know about refrigerated storage rental, from how the trailers work and what sizes are available to who uses them and what the rental process looks like. Whether you're planning for an event, facing an emergency, or managing seasonal overflow, you'll find the answers here.

Infographic showing the 4-step rental process: Step 1 - Call to request a trailer and schedule delivery; Step 2 - Trailer is delivered to your location and positioned; Step 3 - Plug into standard 110-volt outlet and set temperature; Step 4 - Use as needed, with 24/7 support available - refrigerated storage rental infographic

Answering Your Key Questions About Refrigerated Storage Rental

What Are Mobile Refrigerated Trailers and How Do They Work?

A refrigerated storage rental is a walk-in cooler or freezer that comes to you. These mobile trailers are self-contained cold storage units delivered to your location—whether it's a restaurant, event venue, or job site. It's important to note these are not 18-wheelers for hauling goods; they are compact box trailers designed to provide stationary, on-site storage.

The mechanics are simple. Each trailer is a heavily insulated box with a powerful, mounted refrigeration system. An internal thermostat allows you to set a precise temperature, and the unit circulates cold air to keep contents consistent from floor to ceiling. This efficient design ensures your products stay safe, even on hot days.

We offer two main types: mobile cooler trailers for refrigeration and mobile freezer trailers for freezing temperatures. Once we position the trailer, you simply plug it into a standard outlet, set the temperature, and it's ready to use. No complex installation is required.

Want to dive deeper? Check out our Mobile Refrigeration Trailer Guide 2025 or explore Portable Refrigeration options.

What Are the Specs? Temperature, Dimensions, and Capacity

When planning for a refrigerated storage rental, the numbers matter. Here’s what you need to know.

Temperature Control: Our mobile cooler trailers maintain refrigeration temperatures between 35°F and 42°F, ideal for beverages, produce, and prepared foods. For frozen goods, our mobile freezer trailers can reach and maintain temperatures down to 0°F. Note: our freezer units are designed to hold products at 0°F, not operate below it.

Dimensions: We offer three standard sizes to fit your space and needs.

  • Small: 10'L x 6'W – Perfect for tight spaces or smaller events.
  • Medium: 12'L x 7'W – Our most popular size, great for catering and medium-sized businesses.
  • Large: 16'L x 7'W – Built for major events and significant inventory overflow.

Interior Capacity: Our trailers are designed to maximize usable interior space. Optional shelving helps you organize products efficiently, improve airflow, and get the most out of the unit's vertical capacity. This allows for systematic arrangement of boxes, food pans, or floral arrangements for easy access.

For a complete overview, explore our Refrigerated Trailer Unit Complete Guide and browse our Cold Storage Units.

Interior of a clean, modern refrigerated trailer with shelving - refrigerated storage rental

Who Uses Mobile Cold Storage and When?

The versatility of refrigerated storage rental makes it a valuable solution for a wide range of industries and situations.

Who Rents Trailers?Restaurants and caterers are frequent clients, using trailers as emergency backup or to expand kitchen capacity for large events, keeping everything at proper food-safe temperatures. Florists rely on them to handle inventory for holidays like Valentine's Day, while breweries and wineries manage seasonal production spikes. We also serve food distributors, farmers market vendors, and even hospitals needing temporary storage during maintenance.

When Do They Rent?

  • Special Events: Weddings, festivals, and corporate gatherings often require significant on-site cold storage for food and beverages. Our Event Refrigeration Rental Ultimate Guide has more planning tips.
  • Emergencies: When a walk-in cooler fails or a power outage occurs, a mobile unit can be a business-saver. Our 24/7 service ensures rapid delivery in cities like Atlanta and Cleveland, protecting thousands of dollars in inventory. See our Emergency Cold Storage Rental Guide.
  • Seasonal Needs & Renovations: Businesses use our trailers to handle holiday overflow, summer peaks, or to keep operations running smoothly during facility renovations or relocations.

Mobile cooler trailer behind a restaurant - refrigerated storage rental

Why Rent? The Benefits of Flexible Refrigerated Storage Rental

Deciding between renting and buying? Here’s why refrigerated storage rental is often the smarter choice.

  • Cost-Effectiveness: Renting avoids the large capital outlay of purchasing a permanent walk-in unit. You pay a clear, predictable fee for the time you need, with no ongoing maintenance or repair costs. Our transparent pricing has no hidden charges for fuel or mileage.
  • Flexibility: Business needs change. Rent for a weekend event or for several months during your busy season. You can scale up or down as needed without being locked into a permanent asset. Explore options for Short Term Freezer Rental or Long Term Cold Storage.
  • Convenience: We handle the logistics. The trailer is delivered to your site, positioned, and picked up when you're done. Our units plug into a standard 110-volt outlet, making setup truly plug-and-play. This lets you focus on your business, not on managing equipment.
  • No Long-Term Commitment: For temporary projects, seasonal peaks, or emergencies, renting provides the perfect solution without tying up resources in equipment that may sit idle most of the year.

How to Choose a Provider for Your Refrigerated Storage Rental

Choosing the right refrigerated storage rental provider is crucial for protecting your perishable inventory.

First, look for reliability and service quality. Does the provider offer 24/7 emergency service? A breakdown doesn't wait for business hours. We pride ourselves on rapid response, often delivering within hours in service areas like Atlanta, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh. Check customer reviews to gauge a company's reputation.

Next, consider the pricing structure. We offer flexible daily, weekly, and monthly durations with straightforward pricing: a base rental fee plus a one-time delivery charge. There are no surprise fees for fuel or mileage.

  • Daily Rates: Approx. $130 - $220
  • Weekly Rates: Approx. $715 - $1,190
  • Monthly Rates: Approx. $2,505 - $3,750 (with a "pay for 3 weeks, get the 4th free" deal)
  • Delivery Fee: A one-time charge starting around $159 per hour, covering delivery, setup, and pickup.

Finally, ensure ease of use. Our 110-volt units are designed for simple setup, and our rental process is streamlined with digital agreements and online payments. For more tips, see our Cold Storage Providers Guide 2025 or search for Cold Storage Rental Near Me.

What Are the Power and Accessory Options for Your Rental?

Our mobile refrigerated trailers are designed for simplicity and can be customized to your needs.

Power Requirements: The standard requirement is a 110-volt, 20-amp dedicated circuit—a common outlet at most commercial and residential properties. This plug-and-play setup means no special wiring is needed. Just ensure the outlet is within 50 feet of the trailer. Learn more about this feature on our 110 Volt Walk In Cooler page.

Generator Option: If a dedicated circuit isn't available, our trailers can run on a generator (minimum 5,000 watts). This makes them perfect for remote locations, outdoor festivals, or sites without permanent power.

Accessories and Features:

  • Shelving: Optional units are available to help you organize inventory and maximize space.
  • Security: Trailer doors are lockable to keep your inventory secure.
  • Lighting: Standard interior lighting provides clear visibility for managing products.
  • Temperature Alarms: Advanced systems can alert you if the temperature deviates from your set point, adding a layer of protection.

Our 24-hour emergency service is another key feature, ensuring our team is ready to assist you anytime.

Conclusion: Finding Your Perfect Cold Storage Solution

When you need extra cold space, mobile refrigerated trailers provide a simple, effective answer. This guide has shown why refrigerated storage rental is the go-to solution for everything from restaurant emergencies and catered events to seasonal business peaks.

To recap, mobile refrigerated trailers offer:

  • On-Site Convenience: Delivered directly to your location.
  • Precise Temperature Control: Refrigeration (35°F) or freezer (0°F) options.
  • Flexible Sizing: Small, Medium, and Large units to fit your needs.
  • Cost-Effectiveness: Avoid the high cost and commitment of buying a permanent unit.

This versatility is why restaurants, caterers, florists, and breweries rely on our trailers. You get reliable cold storage without the massive investment or maintenance headaches of ownership.

Convenience is built in. We deliver, set up, and pick up the trailer. Our 110-volt units plug into a standard outlet, or can be run off a generator. And because emergencies don't keep business hours, our 24-hour service means we're available when you need us most—often delivering within hours in cities like Atlanta, Cleveland, and Nashville.

At Icebox Mobile Refrigeration, our mission is to provide cold storage solutions that work as hard as you do. We proudly serve communities along the East Coast, from Charlotte and Detroit to Miami and Philadelphia, helping businesses solve their cold storage challenges every day.

Don't wait for a crisis. Whether you're planning an event or facing an unexpected need, we're ready to help.

Ready to get started? Explore our refrigerated trailer rentals and contact us for a quote today!

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