Refrigerated trucks are enclosed vehicles specifically designed to transport frozen, fresh, and temperature-sensitive goods. Their core function is to maintain a constant low-temperature environment throughout the entire journey, ensuring the quality and safety of the cargo from the point of origin to final delivery. Utilizing a polyurethane-insulated cargo box and a refrigeration unit to create a stable temperature control system, these trucks can precisely meet temperature standards ranging from Class A to Class H. They serve a wide range of transport scenarios-including frozen foods, fresh produce, dairy products, and vaccines or pharmaceuticals-handling everything from short-distance urban distribution to medium- and long-haul trunk transport. In recent years, advancements in electrification technology have further expanded their operational scope through improved energy efficiency and extended driving ranges.
In terms of construction, refrigerated trucks predominantly employ "sandwich" panel bonding technology for insulation. The cargo box panels consist of inner and outer fiberglass skins bonded to a central polyurethane insulation layer-typically around 80mm thick-which, combined with a specialized chassis, refrigeration unit, and electrical system, forms a complete temperature-controlled transport unit. Some models are also equipped with heating, temperature monitoring, and ventilation systems, allowing for flexible adjustments to the internal micro-environment to meet the specific requirements of various temperature-sensitive goods.
Based on cooling performance, these vehicles are categorized into refrigerated trucks (active cooling) and insulated trucks (passive insulation). The former typically operates in a temperature range of -10°C to -18°C, while the latter is often used for short-distance distribution at temperatures between -3°C and -4°C. Specialized variants include freezer trucks, fresh milk tankers, and vehicles for transporting live or fresh produce. Some models feature customized accessories such as meat hooks, cargo chutes, and aluminum alloy rails to accommodate the loading and unloading needs of specific goods like meat, dairy, and fresh produce, ensuring standardized handling throughout the transport process.
The diversity of chassis and cargo box configurations further broadens the applicability of refrigerated trucks. Chassis options range from brands like Dongfeng to Foton, with load capacities spanning from micro-sized to heavy-duty vehicles. Cargo box designs include van-style, box-truck, and semi-trailer configurations, enabling them to handle various tasks such as intra-city food distribution, short- to medium-distance intercity transport, and medium- to long-haul railway-integrated cold chain logistics. Precise temperature control within large refrigerated trucks is achieved through a combination of mechanical or electronic temperature control systems, regularly calibrated sensors, standardized cargo loading procedures, and effective cargo compartment sealing.