Multi-Temperature Transport Brisbane — Chilled and Frozen Freight on One Vehicle

A multi-temperature vehicle carries chilled and frozen freight on the same run, in separate zones divided by a movable bulkhead. Ours typically run a frozen zone at −20°C and a chilled zone at +2°C at the same time, so a mixed order goes out as one booking and arrives as one delivery.

It suits businesses whose orders are never all one temperature: grocery distribution, hospitality supply and convenience networks. One vehicle replaces two, and the receiver unloads once.

How a dual-zone refrigerated vehicle works

The load space is divided by an insulated bulkhead that can be moved along the body. Each zone has its own evaporator, and the refrigeration unit holds each at its own set point. Multi-temperature units hold two zones, and some hold three.

Frozen product sits nearest the evaporator at the front, where the air is coldest, and chilled product sits behind the bulkhead. Industry guidance for mixed loads is a thermostat setting of about −22°C for frozen, and +2°C for chilled on runs over two hours or +4°C on metro runs. Your product specification decides the actual set points.

The limits being protected are the usual ones. Chilled potentially hazardous food must stay at 5°C or below under the Food Standards Code. Frozen food must stay frozen, with −18°C the industry guide. See our guide to chilled and frozen transport temperatures for the detail.

One multi-temperature vehicle or two single-zone trucks

As a rule, multi-temperature makes sense when neither the chilled nor the frozen portion fills a vehicle by itself. If you have a full load of frozen and two chilled pallets, a full frozen truck and a small chilled run may work out better. We will price it both ways if you ask.

Planning the chilled and frozen split

The bulkhead is positioned before loading, so the split has to be known in advance. A zone sized for four frozen pallets cannot take six on the day. Send us:

• The pallet count in each zone — how many frozen, how many chilled.
• Pallet heights and weights, since both limit what fits.
• The temperature specification for each zone.
• The drop order, if the load is going to more than one address.
• What each drop takes from each zone.
• Access at each site — dock, tailgate or kerbside.

Pallet counts assume the standard 1165 × 1165 mm Australian pallet. Chilled and frozen food usually cannot be double-stacked, so floor space is what you are dividing.

Multi-drop runs and door discipline

Mixed loads are often multi-drop loads, and every stop means opening doors. Industry guidance is to turn the refrigeration unit off while doors are open and keep them closed between drops. Our drivers follow that door discipline at every stop.

Sequence matters too. The load is built in reverse drop order so the driver is not digging through one customer’s pallets to reach another’s. A drop order that changes on the day means more time with the doors open, so lock it in when you book if you can.

Product temperature is read with a calibrated probe and recorded at pickup and at delivery, for both zones. Ask for the readings with your proof of delivery.

Where we run multi-temperature freight

Most multi-temperature work is distribution across Brisbane, Logan and the Gold Coast, into supermarkets, convenience stores, venues and distribution centres. We also run mixed loads to the Sunshine Coast, Ipswich and Toowoomba, and to regional Queensland on planned services.

Multi-temperature equipment is listed on the fleet page with our other vehicle classes. Tell us about access at each drop, because the vehicle has to suit the tightest site on the run.

Small mixed orders

If your mixed order is only a pallet or two, a dual-zone vehicle may be more than the job needs. Ask us. Depending on the run, the answer could be a part load on a multi-temperature run already going that way, or two small refrigerated courier drops.

Requesting a multi-temperature quote

The price depends on distance, the number of drops, the pallet count and timing, so we quote each job. Send the details through the contact page or phone between 8am and 8pm, any day. We reply within 24 hours, often the same day for routine routes.