Keeping It Cool: Why a Refrigerated Trailer Is Essential for Event Catering

When planning an outdoor event, whether it’s a wedding, birthday party, or corporate function,  food and drink are often the heart of the celebration. But making sure that perishable items stay fresh, safe, and properly stored can be a significant logistical challenge, especially when working in a marquee or remote location. That’s where a refrigerated trailer becomes absolutely essential.

From preserving food quality to meeting legal safety standards, refrigerated trailers play a critical role in successful event catering. In this guide, we explain what refrigerated trailers are, how they work, and why they should be on your must-have list when planning any catered event.

Why Cold Storage Is Critical at Events

Protecting Against Food Spoilage

When food is served outdoors or prepared in temporary kitchens, the risk of spoilage increases dramatically. Even on mild days, perishable foods can become unsafe to eat within a short window if not stored correctly. Bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria thrive in warm, moist conditions, making temperature control absolutely vital.

According to guidance from the Food Standards Agency, chilled food must be kept below 8°C in the UK — and ideally at 5°C or lower to prevent bacterial growth. Without a proper cooling solution in place, catering teams have no way of guaranteeing these safe temperatures.

Meeting Legal and Hygiene Requirements

Whether you’re working with a professional caterer or organising the food independently, event organisers have a legal obligation to store and serve food safely. This is especially important when dealing with high-risk items like meat, dairy, and seafood. Failing to meet hygiene standards can put guests at risk and lead to fines or reputational damage.

A refrigerated trailer gives you a compliant, controlled environment where food and drink can be stored safely from the moment it arrives to the moment it’s served.

What Is a Refrigerated Trailer and How Does It Work?

A refrigerated trailer is a mobile, self-contained cold storage unit that provides consistent cooling for perishable items. These fridge and freezer mode trailers are commonly used at outdoor events, construction sites, festivals, and weddings to keep food, drinks, flowers, or even medical supplies at the required temperature.

At One Six Events, our refrigerated trailers are available in various sizes and come with easy-to-use temperature controls, internal shelving, secure doors, and lockable units. The trailers can be plugged into a standard power supply or generator and are parked as close as possible to the marquee or catering tent to allow easy access for staff.

Once powered, the unit maintains a stable chilled (or frozen) environment throughout the event, making sure everything from champagne to charcuterie is kept in perfect condition. They’re delivered and set up by our team, ready for immediate use.

Key Benefits of Using a Refrigerated Trailer for Your Event

Food Safety and Compliance

First and foremost, refrigerated trailers allow caterers and hosts to comply with food hygiene laws. UK guidelines are strict, especially for food that’s stored for several hours before service. With a trailer on site, caterers can keep chilled goods properly stored until they’re needed — protecting your guests and your reputation.

Space and Storage Efficiency

Fridge trailers offer substantial storage capacity without taking up valuable space in kitchen tents or prep areas. For events with multiple courses, large guest lists, or extensive menus, standard fridges simply won’t cope. A dedicated refrigerated trailer solves this problem by holding all chilled goods in one easily accessible location, freeing up kitchen space for preparation and service.

On-Site Convenience for Caterers

Having chilled storage on site is a huge advantage for caterers. It means they can preload stock, reduce trips back and forth to off-site kitchens, and keep everything in one secure place. This reduces logistical stress and improves efficiency, helping to keep service smooth, professional, and on schedule.

In addition to food, trailers can also store ice, bar stock, desserts, garnishes, and canapés — all kept at the perfect temperature until required.

Temperature Control for Drinks and Décor

Cold storage offers benefits beyond food alone. Drinks are a major part of any celebration, and nobody wants to be served warm champagne or room-temperature rosé on a summer afternoon. A refrigerated trailer will keep your bar service stocked with perfectly chilled drinks throughout the event.

Likewise, florists often use refrigerated trailers to preserve bouquets, centrepieces, and floral installations — especially during warm weather or when transporting delicate blooms.

When Should You Consider Refrigerated Trailer Hire?

Outdoor Weddings and Marquee Celebrations

For weddings held in marquees or outdoor venues, refrigerated trailer hire should be considered essential. Without the facilities of a commercial kitchen, caterers need a reliable solution for storing food and drink safely throughout the day. Whether you’re working with a professional team or bringing in food vendors, the trailer acts as your mobile cold room — supporting service from setup through to the final toast.

Summer Garden Parties and BBQs

Hot weather may be great for celebrating, but it poses real challenges for food safety. Even casual summer events like BBQs or milestone birthdays benefit from having a trailer on hand to keep meat, salads, and drinks at safe temperatures.

Multi-Stage Events or Large Guest Numbers

If your event includes canapés, dinner, dessert, and evening snacks — or serves a large number of guests — a fridge freezer trailer simplifies the logistics. It allows you to store items in stages and keeps stock fresh over several hours without cluttering the prep area.

Drinks-Heavy Events

Drinks-led parties like cocktail nights, wine tastings, or garden soirées benefit enormously from chilled storage. Keeping mixers, spirits, wine, and glassware at the right temperature provides better presentation and guest satisfaction throughout the night.

What to Look for in a Refrigerated Trailer Hire Service

Quality and Condition of Equipment

The trailer itself should be modern, clean, and well-maintained. Check for proper insulation, interior shelving, and secure locking mechanisms. At One Six Events, we regularly inspect and service all units to check that they’re reliable and hygienic.

Flexible Delivery and Setup

Timing is everything when setting up for an event. Your hire service should offer flexible delivery slots, professional installation, and support throughout the process. We work around your event schedule to install and position the trailer exactly where it’s needed, confirming it’s cold and ready before the first delivery arrives.

Easy Controls and Clear Instructions

The last thing you want is to be fiddling with unclear settings on the day of your event. Our trailers are fitted with user-friendly temperature controls and come with clear operating instructions. If needed, our team is on hand to assist with setup and testing.

Power Requirements and Access

Make sure your venue can accommodate the trailer’s power needs. Most refrigerated trailers require a standard 13-amp socket or can be powered via a generator. During your consultation with One Six Events, we’ll confirm all technical requirements and offer solutions tailored to your setup.

FAQs About Refrigerated Trailers

How long can food stay in a refrigerated trailer?
As long as the trailer remains powered and at the correct temperature (below 5°C for chilled items), food can be stored for several days. It’s ideal for events where prep begins early or where food needs to be held for extended periods.

What are the typical dimensions or capacities of your refrigerated trailers?
The trailers offer 8.4 cubic meters of space and 15m of shelving. Interior dimensions are 3000mm (L) x 1550mm (W) x 2000mm (H), with a 4.66 sq m floor space. Exterior dimensions are 4640mm (L) x 2150mm (W).

Are the refrigerated trailers secure? Can they be locked?
Yes, each unit comes fully equipped with lockable doors, and keys are supplied.

When should I book my trailer?
We recommend booking at least 2–3 months in advance, especially for summer events when demand is high. Last-minute availability is possible, but early booking guarantees the best equipment and delivery times.

Why Choose One Six Events for Refrigerated Trailer Hire?

At One Six Events, we understand the bigger picture. Our refrigerated trailers are part of a wider offering that includes marquee hire, bar services, luxury toilets, and full event infrastructure. This means we can deliver the trailer itself and a complete service that integrates with the rest of your event.

Our units are clean, efficient, reliable, delivered on time, and ready to use. Whether you’re planning a wedding, garden party, or corporate event, we make certain your cold storage is sorted well in advance, with minimal fuss and maximum reliability. We also work closely with your caterers and suppliers to ensure everything aligns on the day.

Protect Your Catering, Protect Your Event

Catering is a huge part of any successful celebration. But great food and drink can only shine if they’re stored and served safely. A refrigerated trailer is no longer a nice-to-have, it’s an essential component of outdoor event planning.

From legal compliance and food safety to practical convenience, refrigerated trailer hire keeps your event running smoothly and your guests looked after. Don’t leave cold storage to chance. Choose a professional, experienced supplier who understands what your event needs.

Book Your Refrigerated Trailer Today

Planning an event? Don’t overlook one of the most important behind-the-scenes essentials. Book a refrigerated trailer with One Six Events and keep your food, drinks, and décor in perfect condition, whatever the weather.

Category: Fridge / Freezer Trailer Hire