Are you deciding between a refrigerated van and a 10ft truck for cold chain delivery in Singapore? Choosing the right small refrigerated vehicle can make or break your cold chain delivery operations.
With more businesses entering the frozen and chilled goods sector, understanding the difference between a van and a cabin height truck is key to making a smart investment. Here’s 5 reasons why we believe a 10ft cabin height refrigerated truck may be the better choice for your needs.
Greater payload
Payload refers to the permissible weight of goods that can be carried. Due to the higher GVW(Gross vehicle weight) of trucks, they are able to carry more. For vans, the payload may fall in the region of around 800kg on average. For a cabin height refrigerated truck, it could be as high as 2000kg.
Greater cooling performance
Due to space constraints, the refrigeration system that can be installed onto a van has a smaller capacity compared to that of a truck.
Typically, refrigeration systems on newer vans (Euro 6) can only achieve chiller temperature, up to around 10 to 12°C.  For faster temperature pull down and ability to reach freezer temperatures, choose a cabin height truck.
Ability to enter multi storey carparks
Most multi storey carparks in Singapore have an entry height limit of 2m. Both a refrigerated van and cabin height refrigerated truck can comfortably enter into one.
Comparative initial cost outlay
The selling price of 10ft trucks are lower than vans. When you factor in conversion to refrigeration for the truck and van, the prices are about similar. For the above tradeoffs listed above, it is worthwhile considering a cabin height truck.
Same COE category
Both vehicle types fall into category C COE, so if you are looking to maximise carrying capacity per COE dollar, a cabin height truck is a no brainer.
Bonus : when you should consider a refrigerated van
We have listed our reasons why a cabin height truck is more suitable for you, but there are reasons for purchasing a refrigerated van as well.
When to consider a refrigerated van instead:
- You’re delivering small-volume items that don’t require deep freezing
- You prioritize compact vehicle aesthetics over cargo size
- You plan to drive the vehicle through its full COE lifespan
- You don’t intend to resell, as insulated vans usually have low resale value due to deconversion costs and wear-and-tear
