FAQ – Chilled Trailer Hire

What are your hire terms?
Please refer to our full terms and conditions

What area do I need to provide for the chiller trailer?
The area needs to be flat so that we can setup the trailer to drain properly.  It also needs to be accessible by vehicle.  If you any damage is caused to vehicle or trailer during movement or setup, or should a vehicle or trailer become stuck and need recovery, you are responsible.

What access/ground conditions are needed for delivery/collection?

Ground needs to be firm, flat and level. We deliver the trailers with a commercial vehicle.  As such we need an access and delivery location that could comfortably take a trailer & vehicle with enough space to manouvere, fit between, fit below, without causing damage to vehicle or trailer and without getting stuck.  You are responsible for any damage however so caused, and recovery if needed.

I’ve plugged in the trailer and it’s not doing anything!
Be patience, the chilling equipment will go through a startup cycle which can take several minutes, and then usually the internal fan may start before the external one which you may not hear.

What power do I need?
A walk in chilled room requires either a 13 or 16 amp socket adjacent to plug into.  We provide adaptors for wither type of socket, the 13A being a domestic household type socket, and the 16A being a blue round socket with three pins (earth, neutral and live).  We say adjacent as we only supply a short lead to plug the chiller in to avoid our cable becoming damaged through being walked or driven over or caught.

What temperature do the trailers operate at?
Chiller trailers can be set to temperatures between +2°c and +10°c.  Freezer trailers (MultiTemp) can be set to temperatures between -18°C and +10°C.  If you have a specific temperature requirement please advise us in writing so that we can pre-set it whilst preparing your trailer.  If you are uncertain we can set the temperature for you on delivery provided power is available to do so.  A return visit to alter the temperature will incur a call out charge.  Please do not attempt to change the temperature yourself as there are many settings that can be inadvertently altered resulting in an engineer visit to reset which will incur a charge.

Can I lock the trailer?
Most of our trailers have the facility for you to place your own padlock on the door.  Please note, trailers are not high security.  If someone wants in, they will likely get in causing damage in the process.  You are responsible for the trailer from delivery to collection.

Should I insure the trailer?
YES!!!  We strongly advise that you ensure that you have an insurance policy or add to an existing policy for the cover of equipment loaned and hired to you against all risks such, but not limited to, theft, damage, fire to include your contents.  You may be able to add it to your home contents policy for a home event, or a wedding or event policy, or a combined policy.  This does not constitute advice – we are not an insurance advisor.  Please seek appropriate advice. 

Is the trailer hygienic & ready to use?
Since we don’t know the eventual use of the trailer, it may be storing root vegetables or flowers, casks of ale, bottles of fizz, wine, beer & softs drinks, fruit, food, raw meat, cooked meat – who knows, whilst we will wash out the trailer you are responsible for what you store in it and ensuring it is hygienically clean to the standard required.  We do not accept any responsibility for food hygiene or otherwise.

Can I move the trailer?
No.  Our trailers are for static hire only.  It is very easy to damage the trailers by moving them, even more so with a load within them, and different trailers have different load ratings, some only being able to take a load when setup with feet on the ground.  If you attempt to move a trailer you will be liable for damage and incidental costs/losses.  We fit wheelclamps/hitchlocks to prevent the trailers from being moved.  Moving our trailers is prohibited.  We retain the security keys.

How quickly after plugging in is the trailer ready for use?
This depends on ambient temperature, weather conditions, and the temperature of items placed in the trailer.  Casks can take 24 hours to get down to temperature.  The chiller itself is ready for use typicall in 1-2 hours.  Bottles of wine and beer will easily be chilled overnight.

Doors
The doors can cause damage or injury if they are not secured open or closed by either the wind catching them or through the internal unit icing up.  They should not be left open longer than needed.  Leaving the doors open or even ajar can cause the internal unit to freeze up, causing the unit to split internally, releasing gas into the atmosphere and leading to expensive repair/replacement bills and loss of hire.

EXCESSIVE ICING
If you note the internal unit icing up, unplug the unit.  There is usually a reason such as the door having been left open, especially overnight or when the unit has been emptied and the door is left ajar when it is still running, or the unit being overloaded without good airflow.  The units are in the region of £3,000 to replace.

What happens if there is a problem with the trailer I have on hire?
Please contact us via WhatsApp messaging on 07926277512 for advice.  Send pictures and video so we can fully understand the issue.  If in doubt, unplug the unit to avoid damage.

What is your policy for damaged product?

Key Event Equipment Ltd cannot accept any responsibility for lost product stored within our trailers in the event of a failure.  Please ensure you have separate cover for this if required.

How long is hire for?
As little or long as you need.  Generally trailers are hired in multiples of 24hours, but you chose when you want the trailer from and to, along with any timed delivery/collection requests*

Can you deliver at a specific time?*
We can aim to deliver at a specific time, but even the first delivery of the day is subject to traffic etc.  From the first delivery we work down the schedule, and earlier delays may impact any eta we may have discussed.  When we price for delivery, setup and collection, is assumes we can drive onto site, position the trailer where shown, setup, and leave promptly.  If we have to wait onsite, or relocate your trailer, additional charges will be incurred.

I need a specific guaranteed delivery/collection
We can accommodate this where access is limited.  Just ask us for a guaranteed delivery and/or collection slot and tell us the time.  This will incur an additional charge on your invoice.

When will you collect the trailer?
Generally if you received it on the morning of the first day, then it would be collected on the morning of the last day of hire unless you have requested a variation of the collection time.

Do we need to be onsite for collections?
As long as we can get access, or you’ve given us gate codes/told us where keys are, you do not need to be onsite for collection.  We will turn up, hitch up and remove the trailer.  Be sure to leave any cables; keys; steps; etc supplied in the trailer so everything comes back together.

Do I need to clean the trailer?
Unless it’s substantially dirty, then generally we will wash out the trailer with no charge to you.

Should I off hire the trailer early?
The longer the trailer is with you, the longer your risk.  So if you are finished with it on a Sunday, it’s better to offhire on the Sunday than leave collection to the Monday.

Can I extend hire?
If the unit is not booked to another hirer then generally yes.  Let us know at your earliest convenience via email hire@keyeventequipment.co.uk or preferably WhatsApp 07926277512.  Feel free to message 24/7 – we will pick up your message at various points as we become available.  Please do not call repeatedly – we’re often driving, working, dealing with other clients or sleeping.  Trailers not available for collection or extra days booked after collection charged at the full 24 hour rate each period.  A wasted collection charge will also be incurred if we were unable to collect a trailer for whatever reason.

Can I leave detritus in the trailer?
Ideally no.  However if you leave good quality pallets flat packed on the floor (not leaning against the walls which could cause damage) then we can use these.  If you do leave rubbish or recycling, we will dispose of this for you for a small admin/labour charge based on what you have left.  Please ensure bottles are returned to their card boxes so that they do not roll around the trailer and are easy for us to move to recycling, and any rubbish is securely bagged and tied so we can move it to a commercial waste bin easily.  Do NOT leave anything on shelving as it can cause damage during transport when it falls which you will be responsible for.  Do not leave metal casks as these belong to breweries.  Do not leave gas/lpg bottles.  The shelving / racking is for static use only.

What are typical charges made post collection?
With the majority of our hires, there are no charges.  However if accessories such as steps, keys, cables or adaptors are missing on collection, a charge will be made to replace.  If you plan to return such items, please do so promptly.  The equipment may be going straight back out on hire and if it is not returned promptly a replacement may need to be purchased.

Is my risk limited to the deposit?
No.  The security deposit encourages hirer’s to take good care of the equipment and ensure everything is in the trailer ready for collection.  But potentially, you could be responsible for the new for old replacement cost of the trailer and any loss of earnings whilst it is being replaced.

When is my deposit refunded?
Assuming there are no deductions to be made, we typically refund your deposit or part thereof 24-48hrs after collection.  At busy times of year this may take a little longer.  Please remember to send us your sort code and account number for the return of your deposit in the name that matches the invoice name.

What ID do I need?
Your drivers License in your correct name and address to match our invoice.  A second proof of address (Utility bill, bank statement dated within 3 months)

E&OE – Errors & Omissions Excepted
Our FAQ are intended to be a helpful guide for you.  They are not a substitute for and do not override our terms and conditions