Cargo that needs heat

Learned something new today. Reefers are a climate control device not just a chiller.

 

Really don't know how to Answer that.

Lots of Factors.
How old is the trailer and Unit.
If the Drain Holes are plugged, that would help some.

Temp, don't know if they are all like that.
The Carrier I have now goes up to 90.
Previous Compay had some TK Units, they seemed to go up to 86.

 

Outside temperature has a lot to do with fuel consumption. As was mentioned before, door seals, insulation condition, drain holes all factor in.

 

Just top off the reefer everytime you get fuel for the truck and you'll be fine

 

Heating a trailer is MUCH more cost-effective than cooling. No compressor. it's just using the heat from the engine to provide warmth for the blower. You'll use a lot less fuel per hour than running a load that's cooling, even if it's just a few degrees below outside temperature.

For a 'protect from freeze load', it's best to run cycle/start-stop. Unless it's a special commodity that needs a very narrow range. I've hauled liquid plastics in containers and usually they're 80F continuous.

 

I would figure two days on a tank. I sat on bananas before all weekend (48 hours) in -30* on a tank. I ran it on 64* to maintain 60* pulp. I can't tell you the specifics of what I had left. I just remember I didn't have to refuel.

 

Check the gauge everything you fuel the tractor. Normally I Rupp the trailer every other day, but I still check it everyday.

 

The colder it is outside the harder the unit works to maintain temp. The crappier the trailer the more heat it looses. Newer units are more efficient than older ones. Most of my protect from freeze loads are medical and they're usually 5 or less pallets,65-70F , tuck em down behind the barrier door. I can usually get a good 4 days on a full tank with that set up. Full trailer of produce or other food product about 2 days on the newer trailer with the Carrier, and about 30 or so hours with the older trailers with the TK's.