Your business is one-of-a-kind, and it has unique demands, especially when it comes to transporting your refrigerated goods. Whether you’re in the food industry, pharmaceuticals, or any other sector that requires temperature-sensitive deliveries, reliable and efficient refrigeration systems are critical. That’s why, at Polar Mobility, we offer state-of-the-art Polar Transport Refrigeration Systems to help you enhance your fleet.
Streamline your shipping and transportation systems, and learn more about van and trailer conversions with Polar Mobility.
The Benefits of Converting Your Van or Trailer
A simple van or trailer conversion can unlock your business’s full potential by transforming existing vehicles into high-performing refrigeration units. This upgrade not only expands your delivery capacity—it opens new markets, helping you reach clients with specific temperature needs. Converting your fleet helps keep your products in optimal condition, maintain regulatory compliance, and enhance customer satisfaction.
Why Proper Planning Matters in a Refrigerated Van Trailer Conversion
A successful conversion is more than just installing a unit. It’s about creating a balanced thermal environment. Strategic planning is essential for:
- Maintaining Product Integrity: For consistent temperature zones to protect sensitive cargo from spoilage.
- Maximizing Cold Chain Performance: Creating a seamless transition from warehouse to final delivery.
- Cost Containment: Eliminating the need for expensive structural redesigns or retrofits down the road.
- Operational Longevity: Optimizing the system layout to improve long-term reliability and ease of service.
Start with the Right Refrigeration Application
Before selecting a unit, we evaluate the specific variables of your daily operations:
- Cargo Specifications: Identifying the exact thermal requirements of the products being transported.
- Temperature Ranges: Defining the necessary set points, from ambient cooling to deep-freeze capabilities.
- Logistics & Routing: Accounting for route duration, total mileage, and typical delivery patterns.
- Operational Frequency: Factoring in the number of daily door openings and the resulting pull-down time required.
- Ambient Environment: Assessing the climate conditions and extreme temperatures the vehicle will encounter.
Planning Checklist for Van and Trailer Conversions
Payload Optimization
- Weight Management: Accounting for the added mass of the refrigeration unit and interior buildout.
- Legal Compliance: So the vehicle remains within Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) limits.
- Fuel Efficiency: Balancing insulation thickness with weight to minimize aerodynamic and rolling resistance.
Advanced Insulation Design
- Thermal Efficiency: Utilizing high-R-value materials to reduce the workload on the refrigeration system.
- Custom Fitment: Making sure insulation is tailored to the specific contours of the van or trailer to eliminate thermal bridges.
Door Seals and Access Points
- Climate Retention: Installing heavy-duty seals that prevent refrigerated air leakage.
- Stress Reduction: Planning for high-traffic use cases where frequent door cycles can strain the compressor.
Service Access
- Maintenance Layout: Placing key components where they can be easily inspected and repaired.
- Reduced Downtime: Avoiding complex interior layouts that obstruct access to filters, hoses, and electrical connections.
Common Mistakes That Can Undermine Refrigerated Trailer Performance
Avoid these frequent pitfalls to keep your refrigerated fleet on the road:
- Mismatched Capacity: Installing a system that is undersized for the cargo volume or ambient heat.
- Inadequate Insulation: Failing to account for heat transfer through the floor or wheel wells.
- Compromised Seals: Using standard gaskets that cannot handle extreme temperature differentials.
- Neglecting Serviceability: Designing a conversion that requires hours of labour just to reach a basic filter.
- Ignoring Reality: Failing to plan for worst-case scenarios, such as extended idling in mid-summer heat.
Supporting Cold Chain Performance After the Conversion
The conversion is only the beginning. To protect your investment, we recommend a proactive approach:
- Routine Thermal Inspections: Regularly checking for hot spots or insulation degradation.
- Seal Integrity Checks: Inspecting gaskets for wear, cracks, or air leaks.
- Live Temperature Monitoring: Utilizing telematics to track real-time cargo conditions.
- Scheduled Preventive Maintenance: Following a strict service interval to keep the system operating at peak efficiency.
What We Offer
At Polar Mobility, we carry a range of advanced refrigeration solutions tailored for van and trailer integrations. Our PTR systems are easy to install, energy-efficient, and deliver exceptional performance, regardless of vehicle size or specific requirements. Some of our best options for van and trailer conversions include:
SC30AD-220V-22A High-Output Through-Wall Refrigeration Unit
Ideal for insulated trailers or SEA CANS ranging from 16 to 20 feet, the SC30AD-220V-22A Refrigerated Unit offers great refrigeration at a reasonable price. This unit operates on single-phase 208-240VAC power supplies @ 13.5 – 20 Amps, delivering excellent cooling capacity of up to 17,950 Btu’s at 0°C and 12,100 Btu’s at -18°C. No Locked Rotor Start-up Amperage Spike: Include soft start PWM Compressor, and the System will run on a 5000-Watt Generator.
It features:
- Hot gas defrost system
- Digital control
- Telematics options so you have control over the system
K-SC20AD-S Small Trailer or Stationary System Through-Wall
For smaller trailers 10 – 16 feet or stationary systems, the K-SC20AD-S provides outstanding temperature control from -18°C to +15°C. This unit operates on single-phase 115-120VAC power supplies @ 13.5 – 17 Amps, delivering excellent cooling capacity of up to 8,177 BTU’s at 0°C and 4,614 BTU’s at -18°C. No Locked Rotor Start-up Amperage Spike; Include soft start. The PWM Compressor and the System will run on a 3000-Watt Generator.
The unit is designed for modularity, making it easy to install in a variety of vehicles, trailers or containers for businesses that need flexible, efficient refrigeration.
K-T355S Series Split Units
The K-T355S Series Split Units are ideal for refrigerated trucks and vans, offering an aerodynamic, low-profile rooftop condenser and ultra-slim internal evaporator. Powered by the vehicle’s engine and operating on 12Vdc, these units provide cooling capacities ranging from 17,340 Btu’s at 0°C and 8,330 Btu’s at -18°C. This system is perfect for businesses looking for an energy-efficient solution that seamlessly integrates into their vehicles.
Landline Electric Standby is available in 115-120VAC.
Optional Glycol Heat is available with the K-T355S System.
K-MK358S Series Split Units
For refrigerated cube trucks, the K-MK358S Series delivers high cooling performance with up to 15,030 Btu’s at 0°C and 8,092 Btu’s at -18°C. The unit has a 115-120V electric standby option, making it suitable for both mobile and stationary refrigeration. Its sleek nose-mount condenser and slim evaporator make efficient use of space while maintaining optimal refrigeration.
Optional: Glycol Heat is available with the K-MK358S System.
K-FR500ES Series Split Units
Designed for larger vehicles or trailers, the K-FR500ES Series Split Units provide powerful cooling and heating capacities, with up to 17,340 Btu’s at 0°C and 8,330 Btu’s at -18°C. This series includes a 220V-240V electric standby option and features a nose-mount condenser and ultra-slim internal evaporator, ideal for businesses needing heavy-duty refrigeration solutions. Hot-gas heating and optional glycol heating are available with the K-FR500ES System.
K-FR800ES Series Split Units
Designed for larger vehicles or trailers, the K-FR800ES Series Split Units provide powerful cooling and heating capacities, with up to 23,564 Btu’s at 0°C and 12,519 Btu’s at -18°C. This series includes a 220V-240V electric standby option and features a nose-mount condenser and ultra-slim internal evaporator, ideal for businesses needing heavy-duty refrigeration solutions.
Hot gas Heating and an optional glycol heat are available with the K-FR500ES System.
Maximize Your Business Potential with Van and Trailer Conversions for Polar Transport Refrigeration Systems
At Polar Mobility, we don’t just offer top-notch refrigeration systems—we can also handle the van and trailer conversion for you. Whether you’re looking to transform one van or your whole fleet, our experts will design and install the perfect heating and cooling solution, custom-fit to meet your needs.
With over 45 years of experience, Polar Mobility is your trusted partner in mobile heating and cooling. Our PRT systems are built to deliver efficiency and reliability, even in the toughest conditions. We’re proud to offer businesses the tools they need to protect their goods in transit, helping them expand and adapt.
Are you ready to upgrade your fleet? Contact Polar Mobility today to get started!
