Cold Storage Tips
10 minute read

Chill Out: Finding the Perfect Refrigeration Unit for Rent

refrigerated trailer at outdoor event - Refrigeration unit hire
Written by
Icebox Staff
Published on
November 14, 2025

Why Businesses Turn to Refrigeration Unit Hire

Refrigeration unit hire provides temporary, mobile cold storage through refrigerated or freezer trailers delivered to your location. Businesses rent these units for short-term needs like events, equipment failures, seasonal overflow, or renovations, avoiding the high cost of purchasing equipment.

Quick answer for those searching:

  • What it is: Mobile refrigerated or freezer trailers that plug into standard 110-volt outlets
  • Who needs it: Restaurants, caterers, event planners, retailers, and businesses facing equipment breakdowns
  • How it works: Choose your size (10', 12', or 16' trailers), schedule delivery, and plug it in
  • Cost advantage: No purchase price or maintenance bills, just a flat rental fee
  • Temperature range: Coolers maintain 35°F, freezers hold at 0°F
  • Minimum rental: Typically 3 days, with options for weeks or months

When your walk-in cooler breaks down or you're catering a large outdoor event, you need cold storage now. Refrigeration unit hire is the essential solution. These compact box trailers are designed to fit in a single parking space.

Food and beverage businesses, caterers, and event professionals are the most common renters, using these units for equipment failures, peak demand, or off-site events. Retailers and pharmaceutical companies also use them during renovations or emergencies.

The practicality of modern refrigeration rentals lies in their simplicity. Units arrive pre-wired and ready to operate with a standard electrical connection—no diesel fuel, complex setup, or noise. This gives you 24-hour access to a temperature-controlled environment right where you need it. The rental market provides flexibility without capital investment, offering an immediate solution to keep your operations running.

The Ultimate Guide to Refrigeration Unit Hire

When you face an equipment breakdown, a large event, or seasonal overflow, you need a fast solution. Refrigeration unit hire delivers immediate, flexible cold storage where and when you need it.

Think of mobile refrigeration rentals as a reliable backup plan. These are not complex systems requiring technicians; they are straightforward, dependable units that arrive ready to go. A refrigerated or freezer trailer is delivered to your location, plugs into a standard outlet, and gets you back in business. Our mobile cooler trailers fit in a single parking space and run on 110-volt power, offering quiet, reliable cold storage without complicated hookups or diesel generators.

Our Cold Storage Solutions are designed to get you the right amount of cold storage at the right time. Let's walk through what you need to know.

walk-in cooler trailer with open door and organized shelving - Refrigeration unit hire

What Types of Mobile Refrigeration Units Can You Rent?

We specialize in two main types of units: refrigerated trailers and freezer trailers. These are essentially walk-in coolers and freezers on wheels, bringing professional-grade cold storage to your location.

Our Mobile Cooler Trailer options are perfect for keeping food and beverages at safe refrigeration temperatures. For frozen goods, our Freezer Trailers maintain a solid 0°F. Both types arrive fully assembled and ready to operate.

A key feature is their ground-level access, which allows for safer, easier loading and unloading. We offer three popular sizes:

  • Small 10-foot trailers (10'L x 6'W) for smaller events or supplemental storage.
  • Medium 12-foot option (12'L x 7'W) for restaurants and medium-sized events.
  • Large 16-foot trailers (16'L x 7'W) for large catering operations or retail overflow.

Each size fits in a standard parking space, so you can position them exactly where they are most convenient.

Who Needs to Rent a Refrigeration Unit?

Refrigeration unit hire is a versatile solution for anyone needing temporary cold storage.

Restaurants and food service businesses are frequent customers, especially during emergencies. A walk-in cooler failure can mean thousands in lost inventory. Our same-day Emergency Cold Storage service provides NSF-approved units to protect your inventory.

Caterers and event professionals need cold storage at off-site venues like parks or beaches. Our Event Cooler Rentals act as a mobile kitchen extension, keeping everything from appetizers to wedding cakes at perfect temperatures for any event.

Retailers and supermarkets use rentals during renovations or to manage seasonal spikes in demand, such as for holiday rushes or summer beverage sales. This bridges capacity gaps without the need for permanent infrastructure.

The pharmaceutical and chemical industries require precise climate control. Our units support the needs of the pharmaceutical industry by maintaining exact temperatures to ensure product integrity.

All these customers share a need for reliable, on-demand cold storage without the commitment of buying equipment.

Key Considerations for Your Refrigeration Unit Hire

To get the right refrigeration unit hire, consider a few practical details.

Power is your first consideration. Our units require a dedicated 110-volt, 20-amp circuit, which is standard in most commercial locations. Simply plug in our 110 Volt Walk-in Cooler and you're set. If a dedicated circuit isn't available, the units can run on a generator of at least 5,000 watts.

Temperature range is crucial. Our refrigerated trailers maintain a steady 35°F, ideal for produce, dairy, and prepared foods. Our freezer trailers hold at 0°F for proper frozen storage. These temperatures align with food safety guidelines from the FDA.

Placement is straightforward. Our trailers fit in a single parking space. Once delivered, the hitch is locked for security, ensuring the unit stays put.

Features and specifications include seamless, easy-to-clean interiors. Our NSF-approved rentals meet rigorous foodservice and medical standards. We also provide shelving at no extra cost to help you organize your inventory.

Understanding the Rental Process for Your Refrigeration Unit Hire

Our rental process is designed to be straightforward and fast.

Rental duration is flexible, with a three-day minimum that's perfect for weekend events. We also offer weekly and monthly rentals for longer projects. Whether you need a Short Term Freezer Rental or a long-term solution, we have options.

Pricing is simple. You get one clear price that includes delivery, setup, and pickup. There are no hidden fees for fuel or mileage. Payment is made in full via a click-to-pay link before delivery, and you'll receive a rental agreement via DocuSign.

Delivery and pickup are handled by our team. The one-time delivery charge covers the entire process, so you can focus on your business.

Emergency situations get special attention. We offer same-day 24 Hour Refrigeration Service because breakdowns don't happen on a schedule. Our typical turnaround is 12-24 hours, depending on availability.

Maintenance and support are standard. Our units are clean and reliable, but should an issue arise, emergency service is available (for an additional fee).

Why Renting is the Smart Choice for Your Cooling Needs

When facing a cold storage challenge, the question is often whether to buy or rent. For temporary needs, seasonal spikes, or emergencies, refrigeration unit hire is the smart choice. It's about protecting your business while keeping your finances flexible.

infographic comparing the cost of buying a new refrigeration unit vs. a short-term rental fee - Refrigeration unit hire infographic

Buying equipment involves a large upfront investment, followed by maintenance, repairs, and depreciation. Renting gives you exactly what you need, when you need it, without long-term headaches. It allows you to respond to your actual needs in real time, whether you're a caterer needing extra space for one weekend or a restaurant owner whose walk-in just failed.

The Financial and Operational Benefits of Renting

The primary financial benefit of refrigeration unit hire is that you avoid capital expenditure. A new commercial unit can cost tens of thousands of dollars. By hiring our mobile freezer rental, that capital stays in your business.

You also save on maintenance. Our rental model means no maintenance bills. We deliver every unit in perfect working condition and handle all service needs, so you don't have to budget for unexpected repairs.

Operationally, renting provides incredible flexibility for demand spikes. You can add Temporary Refrigeration Units during your busy season and scale back when things slow down.

In an emergency, rental is an immediate solution. If your walk-in cooler fails, we can often have a mobile cooler trailer at your location within hours, protecting your inventory and preventing costly spoilage.

The hassle-free setup is another key benefit. Our trailers arrive ready to plug into a standard 110-volt outlet. This clean, quiet, and efficient cooling lets you focus on your core business. We also provide alternate energy options, so our systems can function during power outages, ensuring your inventory stays safe.

Get Your On-Demand Cooling Solution Today

When you need reliable cold storage, Icebox is ready to deliver. Our business is built on providing convenient refrigeration unit hire exactly when and where you need it. We've streamlined our booking and delivery process to be quick and straightforward.

Emergencies don't respect business hours, and neither do we. We offer emergency service around the clock because we know your inventory is at risk the moment your cooling fails. Our team responds quickly to bring a fully functional mobile refrigeration unit to your location, delivering peace of mind.

We proudly serve businesses across the East Coast of the United States, with locations in: Akron, OH, Augusta, GA, Charlotte, NC, Clarksville, TN, Cleveland, OH, Columbia, SC, Detroit, MI, Fort Lauderdale, FL, Fort Myers, FL, Franklin, TN, Miami, FL, Morgantown, WV, Mt. Juliet, TN, Murfreesboro, TN, Naples, FL, Nashville, TN, Parkersburg, WV, Pittsburgh, PA, Sarasota, FL, Steubenville, OH, Tampa Bay, FL, Toledo, OH, Venice, FL, Weirton, WV, Wheeling, WV, Zanesville, OH, Greenville, SC, Philadelphia, PA, Raleigh, NC, Wilmington, NC, Myrtle Beach, SC, and Charleston, SC.

Don't let temporary cold storage challenges become permanent business problems. Our professional refrigeration unit hire service provides the flexibility and reliability you need to keep your operations running smoothly.

Ready to secure your temporary cold storage solution? Contact us for your Refrigerated Trailer Rentals today, and let's find the perfect cooling solution for your needs. We're here to help, 24 hours a day.

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