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.
North Dakota Refrigeration Trailer Rentals
Rental refrigeration is available throughout North Dakota. 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 Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, and Minot and 16 more North Dakota 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.
North Dakota 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
- Fargo refrigeration rentals 133,188 people, Cass County
- Bismarck refrigeration rentals 75,092 people, Burleigh County
- Grand Forks refrigeration rentals 58,921 people, Grand Forks County
- Minot refrigeration rentals 47,373 people, Ward County
- West Fargo refrigeration rentals 40,400 people, Cass County
Smaller cities and towns
- Wahpeton 8,000
- Devils Lake 7,135
- Valley City 6,551
- Watford City 6,020
- Grafton 4,059
- Beulah 3,034
- New Town 2,725
- Rugby 2,446
- Lisbon 2,173
- Bottineau 2,171
- Tioga 2,097
- Carrington 2,009
- Langdon 1,847
- Mayville 1,805
- Oakes 1,764
What drives cold-storage demand in North Dakota
North Dakota has warm summers (July highs around 81 to 85 F in Grand Forks, Bismarck and Williston) and long, very cold winters (January highs of about 16 to 23 F and lows near 0 F). The state record high is 121 F at Steele in 1936, and blizzards and severe cold are recurring winter hazards.
The hottest stretch runs june to August. The coldest runs november to March. Both extremes strain commercial refrigeration, and both bring calls for emergency cold storage.
Agricultural and food-distribution operations, rural hospitals, and schools use temporary cold storage while repairs are scheduled.
Weather and hazards
- Flood (Spring snowmelt (March to May)): In April 1997 the Red River crested at 54.35 ft at Grand Forks, more than 50,000 people were evacuated and regional damage reached about $3.5 billion. Fargo's record Red River crests were 39.5 ft in 1997 and 40.84 ft in 2009. Flooding can often put kitchens, cold rooms and food stores out of service and create a need for temporary cold storage or a temporary kitchen. Source
- Flood (Late spring and summer): The 2011 Souris River flood forced the evacuation of roughly 11,000 to 12,000 Minot residents after the river exceeded record levels on June 24. Large evacuations and flood damage can often leave local food businesses and recovery crews in need of temporary refrigeration and kitchens. Source
- Winter storm (October to April): The April 4-7, 1997 blizzard brought up to 2 feet of snow and winds to 65 mph and killed about 100,000 cattle, and a March 1966 blizzard dropped up to 38 inches. Blizzards can often cut power and block roads, creating need for backup cold storage and food service. Source
- Tornado (April to October (peak in July)): North Dakota averages about 13 tornadoes a year, with a season running April through October and peaking in July. Tornado and severe storm damage can often interrupt power and refrigeration for local food businesses. Source
- Heat wave (June to August): The state's record high is 121 F at Steele on July 6, 1936, and Bismarck has reached 114 F. Extreme heat can often overload coolers and walk-in refrigeration, raising demand for added cold storage. Source
Power outages
- During the April 1997 Red River flood, a downtown Grand Forks fire that destroyed 11 buildings was later attributed to an electrical problem caused by floodwater. Flooding can disrupt electrical service and damage buildings, which can often interrupt refrigeration and kitchen use. Source
Food and hospitality
- North Dakota ranks first nationally in durum wheat, spring wheat, canola, flaxseed and dry edible beans, according to USDA rankings from 2011 summarized by Wikipedia. Grain, pulse and oilseed handling and processing can often drive demand for temporary storage and food service at harvest. Source
- Grand Forks is home to the state-owned North Dakota Mill and Elevator and a J.R. Simplot potato processing operation with about 440 employees. Flour milling and potato processing depend on temperature-controlled storage and logistics. Source
- Wahpeton manufacturers and processors include Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative and Cargill, and Carrington is home to Dakota Growers Pasta Company. Sugar and pasta processors often need added storage during campaign peaks or equipment downtime. Source
- The Bakken oil boom led to temporary workforce housing compounds such as Capital Lodge and Tioga Lodge, each housing up to 3,700 residents. Large temporary workforce sites often need on-site food service, cold storage and dishwashing. Source
- Tourism is North Dakota's third-largest industry at over $3 billion a year, and Theodore Roosevelt National Park received 732,000 recreational visitors in 2024. Seasonal tourism can often raise demand for temporary kitchens and cold storage. Source
Rules, agencies, and roads in North Dakota
We rent to commercial and industrial customers only. Before you place temporary refrigeration or a temporary kitchen in North Dakota, check local rules. The state agency to start with is North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Lodging. For emergency information, see North Dakota Department of Emergency Services.
- North Dakota DHHS Food and Lodging publishes licensing resources for food and beverage establishments including a license application, plan review information, the regulatory code and a license fee schedule. Operators setting up a temporary kitchen can often be required to go through licensing and plan review, so they should check with the regulator early. Source
- DHHS also links an Areas of Licensing Jurisdiction page, which indicates that food licensing in North Dakota is divided between the state and local authorities. Operators should confirm which agency licenses the site where a temporary kitchen or mobile unit will operate. Source
- DHHS Food and Lodging can be reached at (701) 328-2310 for questions about food business licensing. Questions about temporary food establishments, mobile units or food safety during power loss can often be directed to this office. Source
Main roads
- I-94: Runs about 352 miles from the Montana line to the Minnesota line, passing Dickinson, Bismarck-Mandan, Jamestown, Valley City and Fargo.
- I-29: Runs about 217 miles from the South Dakota line through Fargo and Grand Forks to the Canadian border near Pembina.
- I-194: Short unsigned connector from I-94 in Mandan to ND 810 in Bismarck.
- US-2: Crosses northern North Dakota through Grand Forks, Devils Lake, Rugby and Minot.
- US-83: North-south route serving Bismarck and Minot.
- US-52: Serves Fargo, Valley City, Carrington and Minot.
- US-85: Serves Watford City in the Bakken oil region.
Events that raise demand
- North Dakota State Fair (July): Held each July on the fairgrounds in Minot, the fair has drawn over 300,000 visitors per year in recent reports. Fair food vendors often need extra cold storage, mobile kitchens and dishwashing capacity.
- Norsk Hostfest (October): Minot's Scandinavian festival was held each October from 1977 through 2025. A large food-centered festival of this kind has historically driven demand for temporary kitchens and cold storage.
- Big Iron Farm Show: West Fargo hosts the Big Iron Farm Show, along with the Red River Valley Fair and Bonanzaville Pioneer Days. Farm shows and fairs often need temporary kitchens, cold storage and warewashing for vendors.
- NDSU Bison football and Fargo events (Fall; Fargo Winter Carnival in winter): Fargo hosts NDSU Bison football games at the Fargodome, the Fargo Marathon and a Winter Carnival that has run since 1928. Game days and city events often raise demand for catering and temporary refrigeration.
Refrigeration equipment to rent in North Dakota
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.
North Dakota in the Great Plains
Service is available across the whole region. See the Great Plains 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 North Dakota.
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 North Dakota?
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 North Dakota cities do you serve?
Service is nationwide, so we serve commercial and industrial customers across North Dakota. We list pages for Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, Minot, West Fargo, and Wahpeton 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 North Dakota for a long project?
Yes. A 20 ft or 40 ft refrigerated container suits renovations and seasonal peaks in North Dakota. 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 North Dakota?
Yes. When a North Dakota kitchen is down, we rent mobile kitchens and commercial dishwashing trailers to pair with refrigeration.
Who regulates food safety in North Dakota?
North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Lodging (https://www.hhs.nd.gov/health/food-and-lodging) 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.