Reefer Truck Vs Reefer Trailer Vs Reefer Container: What’s the Difference?

You’ve got cold goods to move—or store—and the clock is ticking.

Whether it’s fresh seafood, life-saving meds, or crates of strawberries, you need reliable refrigeration that won’t let you down. That’s when you start hearing terms like reefer truck, reefer trailer, and reefer container.

At first, they all sound the same. But the wrong choice can cost you—big time—in fuel, downtime, spoiled inventory, or your wallet.

This guide breaks it all down in plain English. You’ll discover when a self-driving reefer truck makes sense, why reefer trailers dominate regional transport and supermarket overflow, and how reefer containers can save you serious money for onsite cold storage.

If you’re deciding between renting or buying, we’ll help you choose the smart way forward—based on what your business actually needs, not just what’s parked on the lot.

Reefers 101: Core Similarities & Key Technical Differences

All reefer options—trucks, trailers, and containers—share one core purpose: keeping perishable goods at a safe temperature. But how they do that, and where they work best, can vary a lot.

Each unit uses an insulated shell and a refrigeration system, typically powered by diesel, electric, or a hybrid of both.

Reefer box trucks are fully self-contained vehicles with a refrigeration unit built into the cargo area.

• They’re mobile and compact but limited in size and cost more per cubic foot.
• Reefer trucks typically use the diesel engine as a generator to power the refrigeration, but they may also offer electric options.
• The most common use case is for local deliveries of perishable goods.

Reefer trailers are usually larger units on a wheeled trailer offering more capacity and can be dropped and left on-site temporarily.

• Reefer trailers are “dock height” so they are great for big box stores and distribution warehouses with loading docks to handle overflow cold storage inventory.

Reefer containers, on the other hand, are stationary units designed for plug-in or generator power.

• They’re portable but not drivable without a trailer
• They’re highly efficient for short or long-term, onsite cold storage.
• The ground level access makes these perfect for farms, vineyards, festivals and other outdoor events.

So while the goal is the same—keep your goods cold—the best fit depends on how far you need to move them, how much you’re storing, and whether you need mobility or not.

Reefer Truck Rental Vs Reefer Trailer and Containers

Reefer Truck Rental: The most common use for reefer box truck rentals is for local delivery of perishable goods like food, beverages, flowers, and medicine.

Common sizes for reefer truck rentals range from about 10ft to 28ft. For reference, UHaul’s largest moving truck is a 26-footer.

Reefer truck rental cost ranges from $78-$140 for a daily rate with slight discounts for long-term leases, according to Penske.

Reefer Trailer Rental: The most common use for reefer trailer rentals is as extra onsite cold storage for supermarkets and distribution warehouses.

There are 20ft reefer trailer rentals and 40ft high cube reefer trailer rentals.

Reefer trailer rental prices range from $1100 – $3000 for monthly leases. Prices depend on size, location and lease duration. Daily and weekly rentals are also available. Delivery cost is extra.

Reefer Container Rental: The most common use for reefer container rentals is as extra onsite cold storage for farmers, vineyards, breweries and outdoor events.

There are 20 ft reefer container rentals and 40ft reefer container rentals.

Reefer trailer rental prices range from $1100 – $3000 for monthly leases. Prices depend on size, location and lease duration. Daily and weekly rentals are also available. Budget for around $500 for delivery and pick-up.

Reefer Trucks For Sale Vs Reefer Containers For Sale

Buying a reefer truck is a smart move if your business depends on daily cold deliveries and tight logistics. If you’re a food distributor, florist, medical courier, or catering company that makes multiple stops in a day, owning your own reefer truck puts you in control of both timing and temperature. It eliminates the need to coordinate rentals or third-party carriers and allows your team to operate on your own schedule.

Reefer trucks are especially useful for city routes where space is tight and maneuverability matters. A 16- to 26-foot reefer box truck can access places that a trailer simply can’t, and it doesn’t require a loading dock like a reefer container often does.

However, if your main need is cold storage on-site—or if you don’t transport goods regularly—buying a reefer container or trailer is typically more cost-effective. Reefer containers for sale are plug-in ready, cheaper to maintain, and don’t require a driver.

Bottom line: Buy a reefer truck if cold goods are constantly on the move and you need flexibility and speed. But for stationary storage or lower operational costs, containers and trailers are usually the better investment.

How Much Does A Reefer Box Truck Cost Brand New?

The price for a new reefer box truck is around $90,000 to $160,000 depending on size, truck brand, and refrigeration brand.

Whereas you can buy a new 20ft reefer container for $32,500 and a new 40ft High Cube reefer container for $39,950.

We offer reefer containers for sale with low monthly payments through Klarna or with our rent to own containers program.

If you need temporary cold storage that moves, a reefer truck or trailer may fit the bill—but if you’re trying to store product onsite, reefer containers are almost always the smarter choice.

Lower cost, zero fuel, no driver required. Whether it’s a harvest, a remodel, or event prep, reefer containers give you cold space where and when you need it—without burning diesel.

Need help choosing the right setup? Our team can walk you through trailer and container options that fit your location and budget.

If you’re looking for a reefer container for sale or rent, fill our our quote form or call 888-379-2699.