It’s a big decision once you decide to replace your existing refrigerated van for a new one. That’s why it’s quite common for businesses to wait until the wheels fall before they make a move.
If you don’t want to be in a situation where you suddenly need a new van, however, it’s critical to plan ahead. This allows you to do things like sort out financing and decide which kind of model you want to buy.
You can even look at the benefits of entering a hire contract rather than buying outright.
Signs Your Van Needs Replacing
There are a couple of major signs that could mean your van is on its last legs:
- If your van is costing more in fuel than it used to despite regular servicing then you might want to switch to a more efficient model, even if it’s not new.
- Another sign is if your van is continually breaking down or has difficulty starting on cold mornings.
- Perhaps you’ve looked underneath and discovered that the body is starting to rust.
Essentially, if your van is costing you more to keep on the road that it really should, you probably need to start the search for a replacement.
Is There a Best Time to Buy?
Time of year can make a difference, especially if you have decided to buy your refrigerated van rather than hire or contract hire. You might be surprised that refrigerated vans tend to sell in much greater numbers during the summer.
That’s often because there are more pressing needs with hotter temperatures when things start to break down. In the winter, you can get away with a bit more as the temperature outside is so cold. Looking early in the season, perhaps just before spring, can mean you get a better deal if you have finally decide to replace your van.
When New Models Come on the Market
There’s a temptation to look at the refrigerated van market for the new models coming out soon. We’re not suggesting that you rush out and buy that at a premium price.
What often happens, however, is that the previous model comes down in price at some point as the new one becomes the focus of the manufacturer and those selling the van. It doesn’t always happen but it’s worth looking out for new launches and seeing if that makes a difference to prices.
Choosing The Right Van
Of course, if you’re going to get a new refrigerated van, it’s also a good time to look at what new features you may like compared to your old van. For instance, you might want better temperature control or perhaps you would like to switch to an electric van to reduce your carbon footprint. Maybe you simply need a much bigger van.
Fuel efficiency is important for every business on the planet and it can make a big difference to your bottom line. One thing a new van should deliver is more miles to the gallon.
At FridgeXpress, we deal exclusively in refrigerated vans which means we can provide a specialist service that is second to none. Whether you want to hire, contract hire or purchase your next refrigerated van, contact our expert team today to find out how we can help.
