Firstly, it's the automotive chassis:

Consider the vehicle's tonnage, road conditions, and factors such as the chassis structure and load-bearing capacity, fuel efficiency, and emission standards.

Compared to choosing a standard truck chassis, refrigerated vehicles require special attention to the chassis' stability. The goods transported in refrigerated vehicles are typically items that cannot be stored for long periods, even with refrigeration equipment, and thus must be delivered to the destination quickly. Additionally, refrigerated goods have higher requirements for the transportation environment. A breakdown on the road could lead to spoilage of the goods, resulting in significant losses.

　　Next is the choice of the van body:

The body of a refrigerated truck differs from a standard van body, requiring excellent sealing and thermal insulation properties to ensure that the chilled cargo is maintained in a stable temperature environment.

The design of refrigerated trailers primarily focuses on airtightness and thermal insulation. Typically, the structure of refrigerated trucks employs a three-layer design, with the inner and outer skins made of composite materials such as glass steel, color steel, and aluminum alloys. The inner plate material should vary according to the type of cargo being transported, with the most expensive option being stainless steel. The middle layer is insulated with materials like polyurethane foam. The four sides are bonded together using high-strength adhesive, combining the glass steel with the polyurethane foam to form a sealed panel.

In addition to the material, the thickness of the cargo box also determines its insulating performance. The thicker the insulation layer, the better the insulation effect. However, the internal space of the cargo box will decrease, resulting in a reduction in cargo capacity. Users should choose the appropriate thickness based on their actual needs.

Then, the selection of the refrigeration unit:

In the three major components of refrigerated trucks, the refrigeration unit is the most critical part. This is due to the smaller cargo space, which demands higher technical requirements for temperature control.

Quality doesn't come cheap, and imported refrigeration units are extremely expensive. A set of imported refrigeration units for a semi-trailer refrigerated truck can cost over a hundred thousand dollars. In comparison, domestic brands have a significant price advantage, making them a great choice for those who prioritize cost.

The power sources for refrigeration units can be categorized into independent and non-independent units. Independent units have a separate power source, with the unit's independent diesel engine serving as its power source; whereas non-independent units rely on the engine of the vehicle chassis for power output.

In terms of cost, non-independent refrigeration units are several tens of thousands of dollars cheaper than independent refrigeration units. If your budget is ample and you have a low temperature requirement inside the trailer (at least 10 degrees below zero), it's recommended to go with the independent unit.