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.
Kentucky Refrigeration Trailer Rentals
Rental refrigeration is available throughout Kentucky. 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 Lexington-Fayette, Bowling Green, Owensboro, and Covington and 16 more Kentucky 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.
Kentucky 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
- Lexington-Fayette refrigeration rentals 320,154 people, Fayette County
- Bowling Green refrigeration rentals 76,212 people, Warren County
- Owensboro refrigeration rentals 60,140 people, Daviess County
- Covington refrigeration rentals 40,972 people, Kenton County
- Georgetown refrigeration rentals 39,462 people, Scott County
Smaller cities and towns
- Mayfield 9,713
- Middletown 9,630
- Harrodsburg 9,219
- Middlesborough 9,012
- Maysville 8,687
- Oak Grove 7,973
- Corbin 7,841
- Mount Sterling 7,571
- Pikeville 7,437
- Russellville 7,398
- Flatwoods 7,227
- Vine Grove 6,907
- Morehead 6,740
- Lebanon 6,517
- Leitchfield 6,463
What drives cold-storage demand in Kentucky
Kentucky summers are warm to hot and humid, with highs typically in the mid to upper 80s F, and the record of about 24 days at or above 100 F came in 1936. Winters are cool to cold; the long-term winter average is about 35.7 F, and ice storms and snow are recurring winter hazards.
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.
Restaurants, grocers, food distributors, and healthcare kitchens in the region often rent a trailer when a compressor fails in the heat.
Weather and hazards
- Tornado (Mostly spring, but major outbreaks have also hit in December): Kentucky averages about 27 tornadoes a year. The December 10-11, 2021 Quad State EF4 tornado followed a 165.7-mile path and caused 57 deaths; a May 16, 2025 EF4 tornado killed 19. Tornado damage can destroy kitchens and cold storage and cut power for days, which often creates a need for temporary refrigeration and kitchens. Source
- Flood (Late winter through summer): Late July 2022 flooding in eastern Kentucky dropped 14-16 inches of rain in places and killed 39 people. In early April 2025 up to 15 inches of rain fell in western and central Kentucky, and Mayfield set a state 24-hour record of 11.28 inches in July 2023. Flooded restaurants, grocers and institutional kitchens can need temporary cold storage and warewashing during cleanup and repair. Source
- Ice storm (January to February): The January 2009 ice storm is the largest disaster in Kentucky history; roughly 770,000 customers lost power at its peak, the whole state was declared a disaster area, and 36 people died. Ice storms often cause multi-day outages that can spoil refrigerated food and halt commercial kitchens. Source
- Heat wave (June to August): Summer 2012 brought extreme drought to western Kentucky, worsened by a late June to early July heat wave. Nights at or above 75 F have trended upward since the early 2000s. Extended heat can overload aging refrigeration and make temporary cold storage necessary for events and perishables. Source
Power outages
- The January 2009 ice storm left an estimated 600,000 to 770,000 Kentucky electric customers without power at its peak, and power was restored to more than 700,000 customers in under a month. Outages that last days to weeks can force food businesses to find temporary cold storage and cooking facilities. Source
- The December 2021 Quad State tornado produced up to $3.5 billion in damage across Kentucky and neighboring states, and leveled most of downtown Mayfield. Tornado paths can destroy electrical service in whole downtowns, leaving food businesses without power for extended periods. Source
- The Tennessee Valley Authority serves parts of Kentucky, and its first-ever rolling blackouts in December 2022 were directed to local power companies in its service area. Grid emergencies in the TVA territory can cause short rolling outages that threaten walk-in coolers. Source
Food and hospitality
- Poultry leads Kentucky farm receipts at about 22 percent, followed by horses and cattle at 16 percent each, then soybeans and corn. Poultry and livestock processing depend on refrigerated storage, which can be needed temporarily during outages or seasonal peaks. Source
- UPS Worldport at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport covers about 5.2 million square feet and is among the world's busiest cargo hubs. Large parcel and air-freight volume moves perishables through the state and can create temporary holding needs. Source
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport in Boone County hosts the Amazon Air hub and a DHL hub, and handled about 1.7 million tons of cargo in 2025. A major air cargo center means perishable shipments pass through northern Kentucky and may need temporary cold storage. Source
- Kentucky is the top U.S. horse-producing state, with the equine industry contributing about $3 billion and 40,665 jobs in 2012. Horse-sale, racing and show seasons bring crowds that need catering and temporary food service. Source
Rules, agencies, and roads in Kentucky
We rent to commercial and industrial customers only. Before you place temporary refrigeration or a temporary kitchen in Kentucky, check local rules. The state agency to start with is Kentucky Department for Public Health, Food Safety Branch (Cabinet for Health and Family Services). For emergency information, see Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM).
- Kentucky law (KRS 217.125) requires a fee with each temporary food service establishment application and bars issuing subsequent temporary permits until 30 days after a prior one. Repeated or back-to-back temporary kitchens at one location may face permit timing limits. Source
- Northern Kentucky Health says temporary food operators must obtain a permit and be inspected by the health department before opening, unless specifically exempted. A temporary kitchen or warewashing trailer used for serving the public generally needs health department sign-off before use. Source
- Louisville Metro runs its own food facility plan review, and plan review approval is required before plumbing, food service or building permits are issued. Temporary structures or fixed-site kitchen setups in Louisville may trigger plan review. Source
- Kentucky food service permit fees and operating standards are set in 902 KAR 45:110 and 902 KAR 45:005, administered by the Department for Public Health. These regulations set the standards a temporary food establishment is inspected against. Source
Main roads
- I-65: About 137 miles from the Tennessee line through Bowling Green and Elizabethtown to Louisville; heavily traveled and widened to at least six lanes.
- I-64: 191 miles from Louisville through Lexington, Mount Sterling and Morehead.
- I-75: About 192 miles from the Tennessee line through Corbin, Lexington and Georgetown to Covington; crosses Cumberland Plateau grades and the steep Cut-in-the-Hill descent in Covington.
- I-71: About 97 miles linking Louisville with Covington and the Brent Spence Bridge to Cincinnati.
- I-24: About 93 miles across western Kentucky from Paducah toward the Tennessee line near Oak Grove.
- I-69: Bypasses Mayfield on its northwest side with access from Exits 21 to 25.
Events that raise demand
- Kentucky Derby and Derby Festival (Late April to early May): The Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville drew 158,070 in 2017, and the Kentucky Derby Festival runs for two weeks beforehand. Derby-week hospitality creates large catering demand that can use temporary kitchens, cold storage and warewashing.
- Kentucky State Fair (August): An 11-day fair in Louisville that draws more than 600,000 visitors across 520 acres at the Kentucky Exposition Center. A large fair raises demand for vendor refrigeration and dishwashing.
- Keeneland race meets (April and October): Keeneland in Lexington hosts spring and fall race meets and hosted the 2015 Breeders' Cup. Race meets bring crowds needing catering and temporary food service.
- International Bar-B-Q Festival (May): Owensboro holds its barbecue festival and competition on the second weekend in May and calls itself the Barbecue Capital of the World. Barbecue competitions need cold storage for large volumes of meat.
- Court Day (October): Mount Sterling's Court Day draws about 130,000 people over four days with food, crafts and music. A large street festival raises demand for temporary refrigeration and warewashing.
Refrigeration equipment to rent in Kentucky
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.
Kentucky in the Southeast
Service is available across the whole region. See the Southeast page, or go to a neighboring state:
- Alabama refrigeration rentals
- Arkansas refrigeration rentals
- Florida refrigeration rentals
- Georgia refrigeration rentals
- Louisiana refrigeration rentals
- Mississippi refrigeration rentals
- North Carolina refrigeration rentals
- South Carolina refrigeration rentals
- Tennessee refrigeration rentals
- Virginia refrigeration rentals
- West Virginia refrigeration rentals
- All 50 states
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 Kentucky.
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 Kentucky?
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 Kentucky cities do you serve?
Service is nationwide, so we serve commercial and industrial customers across Kentucky. We list pages for Lexington-Fayette, Bowling Green, Owensboro, Covington, Georgetown, and Mayfield 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 Kentucky for a long project?
Yes. A 20 ft or 40 ft refrigerated container suits renovations and seasonal peaks in Kentucky. 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 Kentucky?
Yes. When a Kentucky kitchen is down, we rent mobile kitchens and commercial dishwashing trailers to pair with refrigeration.
Who regulates food safety in Kentucky?
Kentucky Department for Public Health, Food Safety Branch (Cabinet for Health and Family Services) (https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/dphps/fsb) 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.