Refrigerated Trailer Rental Prices

What refrigerated trailers cost

Refrigerated trailer rental prices depend on rental length, unit size, and delivery distance. Rates vary by location and vendor, so request a quote from local providers for your specific dates and distance.

Typical published rates by rental term

ColdStorageFinder's October 2026 survey of vendor websites found these published rates for small towable trailers:

Daily: according to ColdStorageFinder, providers that publish rates charge about $150-$250 per day (most set a 3-day minimum, so a short rental typically costs $450-$1,100 before delivery)
Weekly: according to ColdStorageFinder, $700-$1,700 per week
Monthly: according to ColdStorageFinder, $2,400-$5,100 per month for small towable trailers; $1,000-$1,500 per month for reefer containers

ColdStorageFinder notes that most providers do not publish prices online, only 7 of 29 provider websites checked list any rental rate, so requesting a quote remains the fastest way to get a real number for your location and date.

Examples of published rental rates

Three vendors publish their rates online:

RefrigeratedRentals.com (Colorado and California) publishes:

Daily: according to RefrigeratedRentals.com, $229 (2-day minimum)
Weekly: according to RefrigeratedRentals.com, $729
Monthly: according to RefrigeratedRentals.com, $2,029
Delivery & pickup: according to RefrigeratedRentals.com, $329 flat rate (includes up to 100 miles round-trip)

Penguin Trailer's typical ranges:

Daily: according to Penguin Trailer, $300-$385 per day
Weekly: according to Penguin Trailer, $900-$1,100 per week
Monthly: according to Penguin Trailer, $1,800-$2,200 per month

Louisiana Refrigerated Trailer Rentals (Lafayette, Baton Rouge, New Orleans area) publishes:

Daily: according to Louisiana Refrigerated Trailer Rentals, $500 (2-day minimum)
Weekly: according to Louisiana Refrigerated Trailer Rentals, $1,295
Monthly: according to Louisiana Refrigerated Trailer Rentals, $3,025
Plus delivery and cleaning fee

How rental length affects effective daily cost

ColdStorageFinder's analysis of KC Frost Wagon's published rates (12×6 ft towable at $225/day, $1,500/week, $4,500/month) shows:

If your timeline is uncertain, ask whether a weekly rental can convert to monthly pricing if extended.

How size and type change the price

Penguin Trailer's breakdown by trailer size:

| Trailer Size | Capacity | Monthly Cost | |---|---|---| | Medium (6′ × 12′) | 4,300 lbs | $1,800 | | Large (6′ × 16′) | 6,690 lbs | $2,200 |

ColdStorageFinder's data shows larger towables cost more: Storage In Motion's 16 ft trailer costs about two-thirds more per week than its 10 ft unit. Reefer containers (20 or 40 ft) are cheaper per month ($1,000-$1,500) but require three-phase power and significant clear space for delivery. Semi trailers are priced by quote only.

Costs beyond the base rental rate

ColdStorageFinder identifies these add-ons:

Delivery and pickup: Published terms range from free within a set radius (KC Frost Wagon: free within 25 miles) to per-mile charges (Cooler Trailer Rentals: $2 per mile). Many providers quote delivery per job.
Fuel: Diesel semi-trailer units burn their own fuel; some providers bill it separately.
Power hookup: Small towables plug into standard 110-120V circuits. Containers and semi trailers need more power. Use the power requirements checker to estimate your electrical needs.
Deposit: Cool Fox, for example, takes a $250 deposit on reservation.
After-hours and emergency delivery: KC Frost Wagon lists $175 for after-hours emergency delivery.
Cleaning: KC Frost Wagon charges $150 if a trailer comes back dirty.

ColdStorageFinder advises: ask each provider whether the quote is all-in (delivery, pickup, fuel, deposit) or base-rate-only. Two quotes can look far apart until you normalize for delivery.

What drives the price between two quotes

ColdStorageFinder lists these factors, in rough order of impact:

Rental length, the single biggest lever; longer terms cut the effective daily rate.
Delivery distance, round-trip mileage from the provider's yard to your site.
Unit size, a 16 ft towable costs about two-thirds more per week than a 10 ft unit at the same provider.
Temperature mode, freezer use can cost more than cooler use.
Season and availability, rates and lead times tighten during peak demand (hurricane season, summer, and holidays).
Extras, ramps, generators, insurance, cleaning, and after-hours delivery.

How to lower your refrigerated trailer rental cost

ColdStorageFinder recommends:

Match the term to your timeline. A weekly rate usually beats daily within a week, and a monthly rate beats stacking weekly rentals after about three weeks.
Right-size the unit so you are not paying to cool empty space. Use the refrigerated trailer size calculator to estimate capacity needed.
Pick a local provider to minimize delivery miles. Some deliver free within a set radius.
Use electric standby where grid power is available to save on diesel.
Book early for peak windows, when both price and availability move against you.

When to rent vs. buy

According to Penguin Trailer, renting is the better choice for seasonal demand, emergency backup, or temporary needs because you get flexibility, predictable costs, no maintenance, and no large upfront capital outlay. For most businesses, renting costs less than ownership over short and medium terms.

What the published data does not cover

These published rates reflect what vendors post on their own websites. They do not include:

Real-time availability at your location or date
Negotiated or volume discounts
Regional price variations (summer vs. winter, urban vs. rural)
Surcharges for remote delivery or difficult-to-access sites
Insurance or damage waivers
Temperature-specific pricing (some vendors charge more for freezer mode)

When you request a quote, confirm the term, delivery distance, power source (standard 110V or generator), and whether the quote covers all fees.