Refrigerated truck finance for cold-chain and food distribution
Reefer trucks and vans with insulated bodies and fridge units — financed as one working asset, body, fridge unit and all.
Cold-chain work doesn't tolerate downtime, and a reefer is a more specialised asset than a dry-freight truck, with the body, fridge unit and temperature monitoring all adding to the build cost. We structure the finance around the full working vehicle, not just the base chassis, so the whole rig is covered. New or used — we can usually fund it.
Who it's for
Food and beverage distributors, cold-chain logistics operators, pharmaceutical and medical cartage businesses and supermarket and foodservice suppliers.
Wrap the insulated body and fridge unit into one facility
A reefer isn't a bare truck. The insulated body, refrigeration unit and any temperature monitoring or multi-compartment fit-out usually make up a large part of the total cost. These can generally be included in the same chattel mortgage as the cab-chassis, so you're financing one complete cold-chain vehicle rather than a truck loan plus a separate fit-out bill.
Financing built to your delivery contracts
Supermarket, foodservice and pharma contracts often specify particular temperature ranges, monitoring and hygiene standards for the vehicles used. If your reefer needs to meet a specific contract's spec, tell us upfront — it helps us match you to a lender comfortable with that build and the resale market for it.
Established ABN and property often means no financials
If your ABN has been active for 2+ years, you're GST registered and a director owns property, refrigerated truck finance can frequently be arranged with no tax returns, BAS or bank statements. That's usually enough room to cover a mid-size reefer including the fridge unit and body.
Buying secondhand? Fridge unit condition matters
Used reefers are common, but the refrigeration unit's age and service history matter more than on a dry-freight truck, since a failing unit is a costly repair. For a private sale we run a PPSR check and recommend a service history check on the fridge unit before you commit.
A balloon keeps repayments manageable through seasonal swings
Food distribution volumes can swing with seasons and contracts. A balloon (residual) lowers the monthly repayment, giving you room to carry the truck through quieter periods without the full loan repayment biting into margin. At term's end you refinance the balloon, pay it out, or upgrade.
Own the vehicle, claim the GST and depreciation
On a chattel mortgage your business owns the reefer, body and fridge unit from day one, so you can generally claim the GST input tax credit on the purchase and depreciate the asset over its working life. Confirm the detail with your accountant, particularly around how the fridge unit is depreciated separately from the chassis.
Talk to a specialist
Get the right rate and the right structure for your next asset. No pressure to proceed, no credit-file hit to ask.
- Panel of commercial lenders
- Low-doc options for established ABNs
- Pre-approval before you buy
Work it out backwards.
Start with a repayment that keeps cash in your business and see what it finances — then we’ll line up the right rate to match.
A balloon lowers your monthly repayment and keeps cash in the business. ~30% is common; new vehicles can go to 40%.
Your rate depends on the asset, its age, your ABN and security. A guide, not a quote.
Estimate only, excluding fees and charges. Not a quote, offer, or credit assistance. Actual repayments depend on the lender’s assessment.
Common questions
Yes. The insulated body, refrigeration unit and any monitoring equipment can usually be wrapped into the same chattel mortgage as the cab-chassis, so the complete cold-chain vehicle is financed as one asset.
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Ready to move on your next asset?
Get pre-approved and negotiate as a cash-equivalent buyer — we'll handle the rate, the structure and the paperwork.