Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Find the answer to your question and important information about buying a refrigerated vehicle or refrigerated van.

Questions before buying a refrigerated vehicle:

Why is Kiesling the first choice for refrigerated vehicles in Europe?

Kiesling is one of Europe's leading manufacturers of refrigerated vehicles, refrigerated trucks and refrigerated bodies. For over 50 years, the company has stood for the highest quality, innovative solutions and reliable service throughout the entire cold chain. 

Kiesling produces "Made in Germany" in Dornstadt near Ulm. This is where  high-quality, durable refrigerated bodies are created, which are often equipped as multi-temperature solutions. At the end of their useful life, these are recyclable. 

Personal advice is provided by experienced sales representatives. Refrigerated trucks available at short notice can also be conveniently configured individually online. 

From repairs at the factory to quick spare parts ordering in the online shop, Kiesling supports its customers as a reliable partner in daily operations.

Kiesling stands for sustainable and future-proof business practices and  produces, for example, more electricity via PV systems than can be consumed in a year.

What are the advantages of a Kiesling FIP cooling insert compared to a conventional cooler bag?

Kiesling FIP bodies are manufactured using a special process. Metal outer layers and battens, such as those for load securing or skirting boards, are structurally connected. High-quality panels are produced in our foaming plants at the Dornstadt-Tomerdingen factory through industrial manufacturing.

The smooth walls offer

  • maximum hygiene
  • best insulation values
  • stability and tear resistance
  • impact resistance
  • better repair options

The bodies are designed for longevity and maximum service life.
We do not use adhesives, so they can be recycled at the end of their life.
You can find more about our FIP bodies here: Kiesling FIP Bodies for Trucks

Which industries does Kiesling offer refrigerated vehicles for?

Kiesling develops and produces refrigerated vehicles for
goods distribution in all industries with temperature-controlled logistics, e.g.:

  • Food and fresh produce logistics
  • Delivery to large consumers
  • Frozen products
  • Pharma & Medicine
  • Catering & Gastronomy
  • Flower & Plant Logistics
  • Butchery & Meat Products
  • Bread & Baked Goods
  • Fish & Seafood
  • Art

Which refrigerated vehicle is suitable for my specific application?

Do you need a refrigerated vehicle? The most important questions should be clarified in advance.
The suitable vehicle solution depends on the goods to be transported, the tour structure, the load carriers, and the required payload.
What goods are being transported? Are Euro containers, pallets, or roll containers being used? What quantity and weight are being moved per tour?

e.g., 10 roll containers x 150 kg = 1500 kg (required payload)

With this information, the size of the vehicle can be determined.

How do I find the right combination of refrigerated body, refrigeration unit, and vehicle?

Kiesling refrigerated vehicles has sales representatives in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and partners in other countries such as Denmark, the Netherlands, Croatia, Finland, Iceland, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, and Romania.
Here you will receive individual advice on
refrigerated vans, refrigerated trucks, refrigerated bodies, and industry-specific solutions.

It is best to contact us directly.
In an on-site meeting, we can also solve complex transport tasks and find a solution together that is optimal for you and your drivers.

Are there any refrigerated vehicles available immediately?

Yes, Available refrigerated vehicles and refrigerated transporters offers refrigerated transporters and refrigerated vehicles with reduced delivery times for short-term delivery.

With our product configurator, you can assemble your refrigerated vehicle in just a few steps, selecting the chassis, refrigeration technology, and equipment, and receive an offer immediately.
Try our configurator directly here: Available refrigerated vehicles and refrigerated transporters

On which chassis are Kiesling refrigeration units mounted? Which refrigeration units are used in electric trucks or electric vans?

Kiesling works with all well-known chassis manufacturers and offers suitable refrigerated bodies for them. When purchasing, the chassis supplier should coordinate the necessary equipment codes directly with us. This ensures that the chassis has the required pre-installations.

Our chassis partners:

  • Mercedes-Benz Vans
  • Daimler Truck
  • MAN
  • IVECO
  • Scania
  • DAF
  • Renault
  • Volvo
  • Ford
  • PSA Group (Fiat, Opel, Citroën)
  • Volkswagen

What does ATP mean? What temperature ranges are Kiesling refrigerated bodies suitable for?

ATP stands for the European Convention on the Transport of Perishable Foodstuffs (Accord relatif aux transports internationaux de denrées périssables).

Important: All Kiesling refrigerated bodies are highly insulated and, with appropriate refrigeration, suitable for frozen food transport. They comply with ATP and HACCP requirements for frozen food. The high insulation values retain the cold for longer, thereby requiring less cooling energy.

For cross-border traffic and in certain countries, an ATP/FRC or ATP/FRCX certificate is required. The required ATP certificate can be issued by Kiesling. Therefore, it should be clarified before purchase whether an ATP certificate is required.

What is a multi-temperature refrigerated vehicle and what advantages do Kiesling bodies offer?

Kiesling refrigerated bodies offer efficient solutions for multi-temp transport. Our Cool Slide and Cool Flap systems offer significant advantages in terms of usability, flexible design, and utility.

Kiesling FIP bodies also offer more internal width with full insulation and are particularly suitable for multi-temp transport.
Read more here:
More internal width

Do refrigerated vehicles without rear doors offer temperature security?

Yes. Refrigerated vehicles without rear doors enable particularly fast and efficient delivery on routes with many stops. The upright tail lift with a central locking system seals the cargo area, while Cool Slide ensures temperature integrity.

In combination with a Cool Slide bulkhead, the cargo area remains refrigerated during loading and unloading, reliably protecting the temperature of the cargo.

Thanks to the high-performance insulation of the Cool Slide bulkhead, this solution can even be offered with ATP/FRC certification for bodies over six metres long.

WITHOUT rear doors (YouTube video)

What does GDP mean? What does Kiesling offer for the transport of pharmaceutical products?

Good Distribution Practice (GDP) refers to EU-wide guidelines for quality assurance in pharmaceutical logistics. They ensure that the quality, safety, and integrity of medicinal products are maintained throughout the entire supply chain – from manufacturing, storage, and transport to dispensing to patients. At the same time, they serve to protect against counterfeit medicines and other risks within the distribution chain.

Kiesling offers GDP-qualified bodies in all sizes, implemented by Pharmaserv or Eipl.
This eliminates the need for complex and time-consuming certifications. The Kiesling Pharma-Coolers always comply with the latest rules and standards.

How much does a refrigerated vehicle cost?

When purchasing a refrigerated vehicle, the insulation and workmanship of the refrigerated body should be checked above all else, in addition to the price, to avoid high follow-up costs during operation. 

Kiesling refrigerated vehicles, for example, are very durable and maintain their insulation value throughout their entire service life because they have vapor-tight exterior walls.

A Kiesling body can often be reused with a new chassis.

Kiesling also offers good repair options and a proven spare parts service that minimizes downtime.

You can find the price for a complete refrigerated truck using our configurator: 
Configure available refrigerated vehicles and refrigerated trucks! – Kiesling Refrigerated Vehicles

For a quote for a refrigerated truck or a refrigerated body on a truck chassis, please contact our sales team: Contact – Kiesling Refrigerated Vehicles

How long does a high-quality refrigerated cabinet last?

High-quality refrigeration units last for many years and can, for example, be transferred to a new chassis.

Can I visit the Kiesling plant and see a refrigerated vehicle body in person?

We would be delighted to invite you to a factory tour so that you can see our quality for yourself.
Please arrange a visit with your sales contact.

Collapsible row

Questions about sustainability & energy efficiency of refrigerated vehicles:

How sustainable are Kiesling refrigerated vehicles?

Kiesling focuses on durable, repair-friendly, and recyclable refrigerated bodies. Energy-efficient solutions (Cool Slide, Cool Flap) can reduce cooling requirements in everyday use.
Sustainability also plays an important role in production, for example through the use of renewable energy at the Dornstadt-Tomerdingen site.
Our production is climate-neutral according to Scope 1 and 2.

Further details on sustainability and certifications: Environment & Sustainability

How long can a cold room be used?

Kiesling FIP metal deck builds with fully integrated panels are vapor-tight, meaning that the insulation value remains permanently constant - the most important requirement for long-lasting use.

In the Kiesling FIP builds, elements such as anchor rails or base strips are foam-filled to prevent them from being pulled out.
This helps prevent damage.

The aluminum barley-mat flooring, fully welded to the base strip, is extremely robust and permanently liquid-tight.

Many other details make Kiesling cooler boxes long-lasting.

Why are Kiesling cooling units recyclable?

Most refrigeration units are made of materials that are only partially recyclable, e.g. fiberglass. Bonding permanently joins materials together, making them difficult to separate. In the end, they can only be recovered through incineration.

Kiesling FIP units consist of metal outer layers, PU foam and wooden inserts. If they can no longer be reused, these materials can be cleanly separated from one another. 
The metals are melted down and the PU foam is reused in new production as recycled pressed material.

The TÜV-certified 
recycling rate is ≥ 85%, and the
recovery rate is ≥ 95%.
TÜV confirmation: Kiesling Recycling Confirmation

Kiesling refrigeration units are recyclable due to their design and the materials used.

Are Kiesling refrigerated vehicles and refrigerated trucks also available with electric drive?

Electric vehicles are an important area for us. We build our refrigerated bodies on all common e-trucks. Our employees have completed special high-voltage training.
We are also involved from the very beginning with manufacturer prototypes.

Important: For electrically powered trucks or vans for refrigerated transport, the refrigeration must be taken into account in the range. We have a lot of experience here, regularly test equipment and performance, and can provide expert advice. As a rule, the refrigeration units are connected to the ePTO (Electric Power Take-Off) of the chassis. Corresponding pre-installations must be considered before ordering.

Our practical report is interesting: all-electric eSprinter in refrigerated use

How can I save energy? What does Kiesling offer to reduce fuel consumption in refrigerated transport?

To save energy, reduce fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and costs, Kiesling offers spoilers and aero packages for all vehicles.

To reduce the consumption of the refrigeration unit, we offer effective cooling partitions and cold retention systems.
You can find more information here: Cool Slide & Cool Flap

Both solutions are available for new vehicles and for retrofitting.

What ergonomic benefits do Kiesling refrigerated vehicles offer?

Kiesling offers special solutions that allow for a particularly low entry into the cargo area.

This makes loading with a ramp easier and faster.
The "Runner" or "Speeder" vehicles with low entry are described on the Refrigerated Transporter page.

Processing

Chassis delivery

Chassis delivery is possible at Kiesling at the following times:

Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
excluding public holidays

Contact person:
Georg Haizmann
Email: georg.haizmann@kiesling.de 

We ask you to register in advance: dispo@kiesling.de

Vehicle pickup

Vehicle collection is possible at Kiesling at the following times:

Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 3:30 pm
excluding public holidays

Contact person:
Georg Haizmann
Email: georg.haizmann@kiesling.de

We ask you to register in advance: dispo@kiesling.de

Goods acceptance for suppliers

Goods can be accepted at Kiesling during the following times:

Monday to Thursday
 07:00 - 12:00
12:30 - 15:00
excluding public holidays

Deliveries on Fridays by prior arrangement via lager@kiesling.de only.

Payment of vehicles

Overview of payment terms

Terms of payment when purchasing bodies:

  • IN ADVANCE: Advance payment of the scope of delivery.
  • LEASING: Leasing of the scope of delivery through a leasing company.
  • FINANCING: Financing of the scope of delivery via financing company.

Terms of payment when purchasing complete vehicles (including chassis):

  • IN ADVANCE: Advance payment of the scope of delivery.
  • LEASING: Leasing of the scope of delivery through a leasing company.
  • FINANCING: Financing of the scope of delivery via financing company.

Terms of payment when purchasing spare parts:

  • VT-RG14T: Payment 14 days after invoice date without deduction.

PREPAYMENT for bodies

Process of PREPAYMENT for bodies (chassis not included):

  1. Completion of the vehicle by Kiesling.
  2. The customer pays the gross price to Kiesling.
  3. The original TÜV report is sent to the customer or the chassis supplier for registration of the vehicle.
  4. Collection or delivery to the customer:
    Option 1: Transfer to the customer before registration with red license plates (by Kiesling or chassis supplier).
    Option 2: Customer or chassis supplier registers the vehicle and picks up the vehicle with license plate and registration certificate part 1.

LEASING for bodies

Process of LEASING for bodies (chassis not included) - in Germany:

  1. Completion of the vehicle by Kiesling.
  2. The original TÜV report is sent to the registration office for registration of the vehicle.
  3. Collection or delivery to the customer:
    Option 1: Transfer to the customer before registration with transfer-plate (by Kiesling or chassis supplier).
    Option 2: Customer or chassis supplier registers the vehicle and picks up the vehicle with license plate and registration certificate part 1.

The leasing company transfers the gross price to Kiesling and receives the registration certificate part 2.

Frequently asked questions and answers about refrigerated vehicles and refrigerated vans and the corresponding accessories.

FINANCING of bodies

Process of FINANCING for bodies (chassis not included) - in Germany:

  1. Completion of the vehicle by Kiesling.
  2. The customer pays the VAT to Kiesling.
  3. The original TÜV report is sent to the registration office for registration of the vehicle.
  4. Collection or delivery to the customer:
    Option 1: Transfer to the customer before registration with transfer-plate (by Kiesling or chassis supplier).
    Option 2: Customer or chassis supplier registers the vehicle and picks up the vehicle with license plate and registration certificate part 1.

The financing company transfers the gross price to Kiesling and gets the registration certificate part 2.

PREPAYMENT for complete vehicles

Process of PREPAYMENT of complete vehicles (chassis & body):

  1. Completion of the vehicle by Kiesling.
  2. The customer pays the gross price to Kiesling.
  3. The registration certificate part 2 is sent to the customer for registration of the vehicle.
  4. Collection or delivery to the customer:
    Option 1: Transfer to the customer before registration with transfer plate (by Kiesling or chassis supplier).
    Option 2: Customer or chassis supplier registers the vehicle and picks up the vehicle with license plate and registration certificate part 1.

LEASING for complete vehicles

Process of LEASING for complete vehicles (chassis & body) - in Germany:

  1. Completion of the vehicle by Kiesling.
  2. The registration certificate part 2 is sent to the desired registration office for registration of the vehicle.
  3. After registration, Kiesling receives the registration certificate part 2 back from the registration office.
  4. Collection of the vehicle by the customer or delivery to the customer.
  5. The leasing company transfers Kiesling.

FINANCING for complete vehicles

Process of FINANCING for complete vehicles (chassis & body) - in Germany:

  1. Completion of the vehicle by Kiesling.
  2. The customer pays the VAT to Kiesling.
  3. Registration certificate part 2 is sent to the required registration office for registration of the vehicle.
  4. After registration, the registration certificate part 2 is sent back from the registration office to Kiesling.
  5. Collection of the vehicle by the customer or delivery to the customer.
  6. The financing company transfers the net amount to Kiesling and gets the registration certificate part 2.

Questions about service, spare parts & repairs:

Contact for Spare Parts & Accessories

Please order the spare parts and accessories you need directly from the spare parts shop on our website. This will ensure that your order is processed as quickly as possible.

For items that are not listed in the E-Parts online shop, please send your request to shop@kiesling.de

Contact for Repair (at Kiesling factory)

Kiesling offers the best possible repair service directly at the factory, including a pick-up and delivery service.

Your contact person for all repairs is
Mehmet Günes
Head of Service, please contact us by email if possible.

Email: service@kiesling.de
Phone: +49 7348 2002 66

Our service partners also carry out repairs and work closely with us. You can find our service partners here:
Service, maintenance and repair – Kiesling refrigerated vehicles

Cost estimate

Our repair service guarantees a professionally flawless repair at fair and transparent costs. For repair inquiries, please send us detailed pictures of the damage to service@kiesling.de. For Kiesling bodies, please provide us with the body number (6 digits - see front of the body), and for a detailed cost estimate, we request that you provide the vehicle at our factory.

Cost estimate for insurance adjuster

Please send us pictures of the damage to service@kiesling.de.
If you need a non-binding cost estimate, 5% of the repair costs will be charged for the cost estimate. This amount will be credited back when the repair is carried out at our factory.

Transfer for repairs

To make transfer easier, we offer you the following service - in Germany:

  • Free rental car for the driver, only fuel will be charged.
  • We offer transport services by our professional drivers at a low cost.

FAQ Guide

What causes temperature fluctuations during refrigerated transport, and what solutions are available?

Temperature fluctuations during refrigerated transport can be caused by various factors. The most common causes include:

  1. An insufficiently pre-cooled cargo hold.
  2. Goods that are too warm when loaded.
  3. Doors left open too long during loading and unloading.
  4. Cold retention systems not being used (recommendation: Cool Slide).
  5. Blocked air circulation due to improper loading (recommendation: air guide wall).

By taking these factors into account and training and instructing your drivers accordingly, temperature fluctuations can be reduced, the cold chain better maintained, and the quality of the transported goods ensured.

What should companies consider when choosing a refrigerated vehicle manufacturer?

When choosing the right partner,  expertise and reliability are the most important criteria. Buying directly from the manufacturer of the refrigerated box reduces transport costs and makes delivery times predictable.

For corporate sustainability reporting, documented product characteristics (such as recyclability) can be relevant. 

Here we show which requirements Kiesling Kühlfahrzeuge meets: 
Kiesling Kühlfahrzeuge - made in Germany

We also offer:

Personal contact persons with expertise and experience to advise you on your investment

Spare parts  & Repair service

We produce made in Germany using exclusively electricity from renewable sources (PV), and pay close attention to sustainability and climate protection (see certificates: Report: KLIMAWIN)

What should companies consider when choosing a refrigerated body?

The purchase price alone does not determine the cost-effectiveness of a refrigerated vehicle. What matters is how reliably the vehicle operates throughout its entire service life and  how high the total cost of ownership is, including maintenance, energy consumption, repairs, and resale value.

Important criteria are:
Insulation quality of the bodywork for stable temperature control and lower energy consumption.

Reliability and durability of the vehicle and the installed components.

Temperature stability in practical use, even at  high outdoor temperatures.

Availability of spare parts, service and workshop network, to minimize downtime during maintenance or repairs.

Possibility of later conversion to meet new requirements, e.g. to a multi-temperature solution.

Total cost of ownership, including maintenance, energy consumption, repairs, and resale value.