All About Reefers
Joe Dickman | June 5th, 2022
If you’re familiar with the trucking industry, you have probably heard the term “reefer” being thrown around. Reefers operate on a closed refrigeration system that’s usually powered by a diesel-powered generator. Because food transportation is such a massive industry, refrigerated trucks are one of the most common freight trucks on the road today. Reefers are also used to transport chemicals and pharmaceuticals, among other things that require refrigeration.
Because reefer freight is in such high demand, becoming familiar with these types of trucks, what they haul, and storage procedures would be beneficial knowledge to have as you determine the best reefer truck for your business. Did you know that reefer drivers receive higher pay than most dry truckers? This is because the cargo that reefers store is often more valuable than cargo stored by dry freight. Additionally, physical activity is also usually limited to just driving the truck as distribution centers and food-processing facilities typically have a crew to handle the unloading of cargo.
In contrast, the loading procedures can be tedious. If you decide to drive a reefer, it will be your responsibility to ensure the trailer is at the proper temperature before the dock manager starts loading the cargo. We recommend pre-cooling the trailer as much as possible to avoid longer loading times, which will set you behind schedule. Additionally, we recommend checking the refrigeration unit often to make sure it’s in good working condition. If it stops working during a run, you could lose your entire load.
One convenient aspect of a reefer is that the refrigeration can be turned on and off. When it’s turned off, it basically becomes a dry van. This allows companies to ship refrigerated cargo to one location and transport dry goods to another.
If you are considering purchasing a reefer truck, give us a call! Emerald Transportation Solutions has a wide array of reefer trucks for sale that come in different sizes to meet your company’s needs. We sell trucks you can rely on to safely store your cargo at the right temperature to ensure it arrives unspoiled to its destination. We offer 12’-14’, 16’-20’, and 22’-28’ options. Contact us today so we can help you find the right truck for your business.
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What does under DOT mean?
Questions regarding DOT requirements come up often. 10,000 lbs GVW (gross vehicle weight) and over are commercial vehicles that fall under the Department of Transportation regulatory requirements.
What is the difference between GVW and payload?
GVW or Gross Vehicle Weight is the entire weight of the vehicle including the payload. The payload weight represents the amount of cargo you are hauling.
What is a self-powered unit and a vehicle-powered unit?
A self-powered unit has its own fuel source and will run independent of the truck. This is the heaviest and most expensive option. While vehicle-powered units run off the engine via a compressor mounted on the engine. These are less expensive and lighter in weight but you must run the truck or plug the electric standby into shore power.
What does K-factor mean and why is that important?
K-factor is a term that stands for the overall insulating value of the container (truck body). Quite simply the lower the K-factor the better the truck body will be able to maintain a given temperature and require less energy to do so.
How much lighter is a Poly Van vs a US spec body?
Poly Van bodies are very light. On average we estimate we are 75-150 lbs per foot lighter than a traditional sheet and post foamed in place body. These weight savings translates to less fuel burn and less CO2 emissions, along with added payload, the most important benefit.
