12 ft Refrigerated Trailer
Starting from $1,895 / month
The smallest trailer in the lineup. It fits tight lots and loading areas when a small walk-in cooler or freezer goes down.
Iowa Refrigeration Trailer Rentals
Rental refrigeration is available throughout Iowa. When a walk-in cooler or freezer fails, our refrigerated trailer and container rentals put cold storage on your site, along with mobile kitchens and dishwashing trailers if the kitchen is down too. We list pages for Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, and Sioux City and 16 more Iowa cities and towns, and service is nationwide, so a site anywhere in the state is covered. Hospitals, schools, restaurants, grocers, and distributors rent from us, short term or long term. Call 24/7 or request availability and a quote.
Iowa cities and towns
20 pages: the 5 largest cities, then 15 smaller towns under 10,000 people. Each page has local delivery planning, emergency support, requirements, and routes.
Cities
Largest cities
- Des Moines refrigeration rentals 210,381 people, Polk County
- Cedar Rapids refrigeration rentals 135,958 people, Linn County
- Davenport refrigeration rentals 100,354 people, Scott County
- Sioux City refrigeration rentals 85,727 people, Plymouth County
- Iowa City refrigeration rentals 75,678 people, Johnson County
Smaller cities and towns
- Keokuk 9,513
- Grinnell 9,473
- Fairfield 9,300
- Sioux Center 8,543
- Denison 8,114
- Perry 7,984
- Webster City 7,713
- Decorah 7,578
- Clear Lake 7,567
- Knoxville 7,432
- Creston 7,392
- Charles City 7,228
- Nevada 6,967
- Atlantic 6,781
- Independence 6,188
What drives cold-storage demand in Iowa
Iowa has a humid continental climate with hot, humid summers (highs often near 90 F and sometimes above 100 F) and cold winters that can fall well below zero. Des Moines normals run about 31/14 F in January and 86/67 F in July.
The hottest stretch runs june to August. The coldest runs december to February. Both extremes strain commercial refrigeration, and both bring calls for emergency cold storage.
Processors, distributors, school districts, and hospital systems commonly need added cold storage during repairs and seasonal peaks.
Weather and hazards
- Other (Summer (August 10, 2020 event)): The August 10, 2020 derecho crossed Iowa from Sioux City to the Cedar Rapids area, put 57 of Iowa's 99 counties and 14 million acres of crops in its path and caused about $11.2 billion in damage across the Midwest. Widespread wind damage and long power losses can often leave restaurants, grocers and food plants without refrigeration for days. Source
- Tornado (Spring and summer): Iowa has a 30-year average of about 47 tornadoes a year; the 1882 Grinnell tornado killed 68 and a 1968 F5 hit Charles City. Tornado damage to buildings and power lines can often interrupt refrigeration and kitchens. Source
- Flood (Spring and summer): The Cedar River reached a record 31.12 ft in Cedar Rapids in 2008, flooding about 14 percent of the city, and the Great Flood of 1993 left about 250,000 Des Moines residents without running water for 12 days. River flooding can often put commercial kitchens and cold storage out of service and create a need for temporary replacements. Source
- Winter storm (November to March): Iowa's record low is -47 F at Washta in 1912, and winters can fall well below freezing. Extreme cold and snow can often disrupt power and deliveries to food businesses. Source
- Heat wave (June to August): Iowa's record high is 118 F at Keokuk on July 20, 1934, and summer highs often reach near 90 F. Extreme heat can often overload coolers and walk-in refrigeration. Source
Power outages
- About 585,000 Iowa customers lost power in the August 2020 derecho, and about 200,000 were still without power three days later. Multi-day statewide outages can often threaten refrigerated food at restaurants, stores and plants. Source
- After the derecho, Cedar Rapids peaked at about 98 percent power loss and about 40,000 residents were still without power a week later. Prolonged outages can often create demand for temporary cold storage and cooking capacity. Source
Food and hospitality
- Crops cover about 60 percent of Iowa's land, and the state sits in the heart of the Corn Belt. Harvest-season grain, produce and food processing can often drive demand for temporary storage and food service. Source
- Sioux City's meatpacking sector is anchored by Tyson Fresh Meats (about 4,500 workers) and Seaboard Triumph Foods (about 2,400). Meat plants and cold-chain distributors rely on refrigerated storage and trailers. Source
- Sioux County had the state's largest cattle inventory (375,000 head in January 2024) and ranked second in hogs marketed (about 3.8 million in 2022). Livestock and meat supply chains depend on cold storage and refrigerated transport. Source
- Grain processing is the most important sector in Cedar Rapids with about 4,000 direct jobs, including Quaker Oats, Cargill, ADM and General Mills operations. Food processors often need added cold storage during peak production or after outages. Source
Rules, agencies, and roads in Iowa
We rent to commercial and industrial customers only. Before you place temporary refrigeration or a temporary kitchen in Iowa, check local rules. The state agency to start with is Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing (DIAL), Food and Consumer Safety. For emergency information, see Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM).
- DIAL licenses food businesses such as restaurants, bars, food trucks, farmers markets and stores, and applications are submitted online through the SAFHER portal. A business adding a temporary kitchen should confirm its license status with DIAL first. Source
- DIAL licenses temporary food establishments, with several license types depending on the event, such as fairs, festivals or craft shows. Event caterers using temporary kitchens or mobile units can often need a temporary license. Source
- DIAL licenses mobile food units such as food trucks and pushcarts that serve precooked or prewrapped foods needing minimal assembly. Mobile kitchens that do more extensive preparation may need a different license category, so confirm with DIAL. Source
- DIAL operates a food plan review line (515-350-7587) for operators submitting plans. New or remodeled food operations, including temporary setups, can often involve plan review, so operators should contact DIAL early. Source
Main roads
- I-80: Runs about 306 miles across Iowa from Council Bluffs to LeClaire, passing Des Moines, Grinnell, Iowa City and Davenport.
- I-35: Runs about 218 miles from near Lamoni at the Missouri border to near Albert Lea, Minnesota, through Des Moines and Clear Lake.
- I-29: Runs about 152 miles from the Missouri border at Hamburg to Sioux City.
- I-380: Runs about 73 miles north from I-80 near Coralville through Cedar Rapids to Waterloo.
- I-74: Crosses the Mississippi River from I-80 at Davenport to Bettendorf.
- I-235: About 14.6-mile loop through Des Moines linking I-35 and I-80.
- I-280: Connects I-80 in Davenport to Rock Island, Illinois.
Events that raise demand
- Iowa State Fair (August): The 11-day fair at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines drew a record 1,218,834 visitors in 2026. Fair vendors and nearby caterers often need extra cold storage, mobile kitchens and dishwashing.
- Bix 7 (Late July): Davenport's 7-mile race draws about 12,000 to 18,000 runners and is paired with the three-day Bix Fest jazz festival. Race weekends often raise demand for event catering and temporary refrigeration.
- Saturday in the Park (Around July 4): Sioux City hosts the Saturday in the Park music festival near July 4. Large music festivals often need mobile kitchens and cold storage.
- Nordic Fest (July): Decorah's Nordic Fest celebrates Norwegian culture each July with dancing, food and music. Food-focused festivals often need temporary kitchens and cold storage.
- Surf Ballroom tribute (February): The Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake holds a tribute to Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper each February. Winter events can raise short-term catering demand when cold weather limits options.
Refrigeration equipment to rent in Iowa
Each card shows the lowest printed price. Open a unit for the full price row.
Equipment
20 ft Refrigerated Trailer
Starting from $1,895 / month
The workhorse. A 20 ft trailer comes as a 32°F cooler or as a low-temperature freezer configuration, so you can match what failed.
20 ft Refrigerated Container
Starting from $2,995 / month
A stationary cold storage box for bulk product, built for longer projects, seasonal peaks, and renovations.
40 ft Refrigerated Container
Starting from $3,995 / month
The largest cold storage option. It takes pallets and bulk product for food distribution, disaster response, and large facilities.
Iowa in the Midwest
Service is available across the whole region. See the Midwest page, or go to a neighboring state:
Rental terms at a glance
Rentals run by the week or by the month, with short-term and long-term options, and we answer calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Setup on site takes about 1 hour for a refrigeration unit and about 5 hours for a kitchen or dishwashing trailer; a ramp adds 4 to 6 hours and stairs add 5 to 15 minutes. GPS tracking is possible on request. Delivery, setup, servicing, and minimum terms are confirmed in your quote, and an inquiry does not reserve equipment.
Cold storage down? Call now.
Emergency refrigeration rentals in Iowa.
If a walk-in cooler or freezer has stopped holding temperature, call now. Tell us your city and state, what failed, how much product is at risk, and what power is on site. Keep doors closed to hold the cold while we work out the right trailer or container for you.
Frequently asked questions
How do I rent a refrigerated trailer in Iowa?
Call (888) 385-5513 or send the quote form with the address, what failed, the temperature you need, and the power at your site. We confirm the unit, availability, delivery, and terms in your quote. An inquiry does not reserve equipment.
Which Iowa cities do you serve?
Service is nationwide, so we serve commercial and industrial customers across Iowa. We list pages for Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Sioux City, Iowa City, and Keokuk and 14 more cities and towns. If your site is elsewhere in the state, call and we will confirm.
Can I rent a refrigerated container in Iowa for a long project?
Yes. A 20 ft or 40 ft refrigerated container suits renovations and seasonal peaks in Iowa. Rent short term or lease for months, and see the full price rows on each unit page.
Do you rent mobile kitchens and dishwashing trailers in Iowa?
Yes. When a Iowa kitchen is down, we rent mobile kitchens and commercial dishwashing trailers to pair with refrigeration.
Who regulates food safety in Iowa?
Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing (DIAL), Food and Consumer Safety (https://dial.iowa.gov/licenses/food-establishments-hotels) is the state agency to start with. Local health departments may add their own rules, so check before placing temporary refrigeration or a temporary kitchen.
What to send for a fast quote
- The city and state where the unit will sit
- What failed and how much product is at risk
- Cooler (32°F) or freezer temperature needed
- Power available at the site: voltage, phase, and amps
- Access: gate or door width, surface, and where the unit will be placed
- How long you expect to need it
Prefer to talk? Call (888) 385-5513 any time.