The 30-second answer
If you are deciding on a chiller van vs freezer van and your goods need to stay cool but never frozen — dairy, fresh produce, flowers, most medicines — book a chiller van rental. If they must stay solidly frozen — ice cream, frozen meat, seafood, frozen ready meals — book a freezer van rental. That is the whole decision. The rest of this guide explains the temperatures, the costs, and the mistakes we see people make, so you get it right the first time.
Temperature chart: chiller vs freezer at a glance
| Van | Temperature | What it does | Typical cargo | 1-ton rate (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiller van | +2°C to +8°C (above freezing) | Keeps goods fresh, never freezes them | Fresh fruit & vegetables, dairy, drinks, bakery, fresh flowers, most pharma | From AED 300/day self-drive · AED 400/day with driver · AED 5,500/month |
| Freezer van | −18°C and below (deep freeze) | Keeps goods frozen solid, never thaws them | Frozen meat & poultry, seafood, ice cream, frozen desserts, frozen ready meals | From AED 350/day self-drive · AED 450/day with driver · AED 6,500/month |
These are the industry-standard bands and they apply to every van in our fleet, from the Toyota Hiace chiller vans to the freezer vans and the refrigerated trucks.
Cargo examples: which van for your goods?
Book a chiller van for:
- fresh fruit and vegetables
- milk, yoghurt and cheese
- soft drinks, juices and water
- fresh bakery, pastries and chocolate
- fresh flowers and floral arrangements for events
- most pharmaceutical products, vaccines and cosmetics that specify 2–8°C storage
Book a freezer van for:
- frozen chicken, beef and lamb
- frozen seafood and fish
- ice cream and frozen desserts
- frozen dough, pastry and ready meals
- any cargo whose label says “keep frozen” or “store below −18°C”
When neither fits — ask about the truck: loads bigger than about a tonne, palletised stock, or combined chilled-and-frozen runs need a refrigerated truck rather than a van. See our refrigerated truck rental page for the 3-ton option.
The cost difference (2026 rates, published)
A freezer van costs more to run — stronger insulation, a heavier refrigeration unit, more fuel — and the rates reflect it. Our published 1-ton rates: chiller van from AED 300/day self-drive · AED 400/day with driver · AED 5,500/month; freezer van from AED 350/day self-drive · AED 450/day with driver · AED 6,500/month. The freezer premium is roughly AED 50/day — about 15%. For a one-off delivery that is small money. For a monthly contract it is roughly AED 1,000/month, so getting the choice right matters on long terms. Full breakdown on our 2026 rental rates page.
The wrong-van risks (read this before you book)
- Under-cooling a frozen load. Put frozen goods in a chiller van and they soften. For ice cream and seafood, a partial thaw-and-refreeze is a quality defect — customers reject the load, and nobody refunds the cargo.
- Over-cooling a fresh load. Run fresh produce or flowers at −18°C and you freeze-damage them. Lettuce, herbs and roses do not forgive this.
- The frozen food −18°C rule. UAE guidance for food transport vehicles sets −18°C or lower as the requirement for frozen food. A chiller van cannot hold −18°C, so a frozen load in a chiller van is not just risky — it is non-compliant transport.
- Mixed loads in one van. Carrying chilled and frozen goods together in a single-temperature van means one of them is at the wrong temperature. If you genuinely need both, ask us — our refrigerated trucks can handle the larger combined runs.
Decision flowchart (text version)
- Does your cargo label say “keep frozen” or “store below −18°C”? → Freezer van.
- Does it say “keep refrigerated” or “store at 2–8°C”? → Chiller van.
- Is the load over ~1 tonne or palletised? → Refrigerated truck (chilled or frozen spec).
- Not sure what your cargo needs? → Call or WhatsApp +971 52 765 9900 — tell us what you are moving and we will recommend the right vehicle. We are open 24 hours.
Why this matters more in Dubai
Dubai’s summer runs at 45–50°C, and every door opening lets that heat in. That is why temperature discipline matters more here than in cooler climates: a van that merely “gets cold eventually” is not enough. The rule is simple — know your cargo’s temperature, pick the van built for it, and never mix frozen and fresh in one compartment.
FAQs
What is the difference between a chiller van and a freezer van?
A chiller van holds +2°C to +8°C for goods that must stay cool but not frozen (dairy, produce, flowers). A freezer van holds −18°C and below for goods that must stay frozen (ice cream, frozen meat, seafood).
Can I carry frozen goods in a chiller van?
No. A chiller van cannot reach −18°C, and frozen food must stay at −18°C or lower. Partially thawed frozen goods are a quality and compliance risk.
Can I carry fresh goods in a freezer van?
Technically yes, but do not set it to −18°C — you will freeze-damage fresh produce and flowers. It is also overkill on price: you pay the freezer rate for a chiller job.
How much does a chiller van cost vs a freezer van in Dubai?
Our 1-ton rates: chiller from AED 300/day self-drive (AED 400 with driver), freezer from AED 350/day self-drive (AED 450 with driver). Monthly: chiller from AED 5,500, freezer from AED 6,500.
Which van do I need for ice cream delivery?
A freezer van, always — ice cream must stay at −18°C or below from pickup to delivery.
Which van for restaurant daily supply runs?
A chiller van covers most restaurant needs: fresh produce, dairy, beverages, bakery. Add a freezer van only if you move frozen stock.
Can one van carry both chilled and frozen goods?
Not in a single-temperature van — one of them ends up at the wrong temperature. For combined runs, ask about our refrigerated trucks.
Do your vans run 24 hours?
Yes — we operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across Dubai and the UAE. Call or WhatsApp +971 52 765 9900 any time.
Still not sure which van you need? Tell us what you are moving — we will recommend the right vehicle and confirm the rate before you book. Call +971 52 765 9900 · WhatsApp us. Google rating ★ 5.0 (12 reviews) · Open 24 hours.