Just started reefer and have a couple issues. Experienced guys...help????

Discussion in 'Refrigerated Trucking Forum' started by CallOfTheWild, Apr 25, 2015.

  1. CallOfTheWild

    CallOfTheWild Light Load Member

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    A few things, which is making me MISERABLE and start to hate it, and want to quit. I am hoping some insight from experienced reefer haulers can give me some insight! I really don't want to quit, but...I might have to.

    #1. We have older LOUD reefers, not the "whisper" kind. It wakes me up everytime it kicks on, sometimes I cant get back to sleep, and have had to drive on 2-5 hours of sleep. Any advice? The owner of the company really doesn't have any tips.

    #2. I sat at Cargil in Ottumwa Iowa for 30 hours last week, before finally getting my load. Is this normal for cargil?

    #3. I don't sit for free, if I'm in that truck, and waiting for a load, I EXPECT to be paid. They claim they don't pay detention, whats the deal with this?

    Overall I like the whole experience, I came over from dry van, but I will NOT tolerate sitting for HOURS without being paid, period. Then the next issue is the reefer waking me up.

    Any hints/tips/advice is GREATLY appreciated.

    FYI, its a small company with less then 20 trucks.
     
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  3. mitrucker

    mitrucker Road Train Member

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    Go back to dry van. Sitting appears to be part of the deal with doing reefer.
     
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  4. 77smartin

    77smartin Road Train Member

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    I dunno.
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  5. RickyDickyDo

    RickyDickyDo Heavy Load Member

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    #1. If you can, unhook and pull away from trailer. Park beside it if room allows.
    #2. After a max of 4 hours you company has to pay detention time, check out the laws for truckers.
    #3. I agree.
     
  6. Dna Mach

    Dna Mach Road Train Member

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    #1 run the unit on continuous. Once the unit reaches it's set point it will maintain a low RPM and hum along while being quieter than an idling truck. Only exceptions are if the outside air temp matches the load temp. Run it on cycle mode and the unit might start once during the night for humidity issues. I used to run from Garland Tx to University Park Illinois with loads that called for a temp of 35-40 degrees. Sometimes in the winter the unit wouldn't start a single time between Texas and Illinois. Some shippers specify which mode they want the load to be transported in, but I only saw one in two years of pulling a reefer.

    #3 pull a tanker or flatbed. You'll never make a decent living without killing yourself pulling a dry van or reefer. At least the guy is honest as most companies tell you they will "look into it" and then throw you $40 bucks after you give them a notice to quit.
     
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  7. ncmickey

    ncmickey Road Train Member

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    .................sorry double post
     
  8. ncmickey

    ncmickey Road Train Member

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    I had a problem with getting woken up with the old reefer. Seems to have gotten easier. The company I work for also is phasing out the old reefers. We will have almost all 2014, 15 and 16's. They are much quieter.

    The company I work for pays detention. $15 an hour after the first two.. Even if the company doesn't get it back from the shipper/receiver. When they know your company pays detention...they seem to move ya along faster.

    maybe you need a new company....
     
  9. EHB

    EHB Medium Load Member

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    I have had the same problem with very noise reffers.
    Set of good head phones and some good music will do wounders for the canceling out the noise and get the sleep you need.

    But be the main draw back is you can not hear anyone try to break into or messing around with the trailer when your asleep. Unless you have the trailer wired up with an alarm unit and a load buzzer in the truck.
     
  10. CallOfTheWild

    CallOfTheWild Light Load Member

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    I just asked them about detention pay and the fact that they are avoiding the question, and I need to know so I know what my options are. They texted me back "you cant threaten me, come clean out your truck". Guess that answers my question HAHA. Oh well. This ought to get interesting, I'll be checking my dac report to see what if anything they put on it.
     
  11. Neverready

    Neverready Medium Load Member

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    Unless it is in the contract that they have to pay detention most shippers and receivers could care less how long you sit. Even the new carrier refrigeration units are loud. Newer thermo kings are generally quieter.
     
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