I know this is a silly question but my boss, prefaced with the words, "I know I didn't talk to you first," bought a used reefer trailer to add to our farm.
Its a TK SB-230 (advertised to him as a 210, and the 3 was scratched into a 1) and it just eats a lot of fuel compared to the 210 we already run. A lot of fuel!
We only run them at 36 degrees and our old reefer burns about 1/4 of a tank of the same size, i think 50 or so gallons, in about 30 or so hours.
This "new" reefer burns a quarter of a tank in just 16 hours! Its unaffordable and my boss doesn't see why!
Is there something I should be taking a look or do these just burn a ton of fuel? I think he got took because I already found cracks in the floor and had to replace the airlines to fix the mystery of why the brakes suck. Spoiler, there were no brakes.
How much fuel should a reefer burn?
Discussion in 'Refrigerated Trucking Forum' started by GiantBeard, Mar 4, 2021.
-
-
Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds
Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.
-
Dave_in_AZ and GiantBeard Thank this.
-
I thank you for your insight, because I haven't got much, and if it were legal to slap my boss instead of saying, "good job," I would have. I'm just always learning this stuff and hes never cared a #### other than if its on time. Told him he should get a professional but they cost money. At least he got someone whogives a ####.reeferwrencher Thanks this. -
I've been pulling reefers for about 16 months. In my experience, the worst I've seen is the reefer would last between 3 and 4 days on a tank of fuel (Reefer set to -10°, continuous and in Arizona in July.). At best, probably several weeks if it is set to cycles mode and the ambient temp is close to the set point.
In case you don't already know. The first and last quarter of a tank will burn really quickly. The gages aren't really set up correctly for a round tank. The top and bottom quarter of a tank physically hold a lot less than the 12.5 gallons that actually is 1/4 of a 50 gallon tank.
Being a company driver, I don't mess with them if they have problems. I know about refrigeration systems in general. Worked at a Air Conditioner place when I was a kid and have often taken care of my car AC systems. But, don't have any knowledge or experience specifically with reefer units on reefer trailers. I do prefer Thermo King over Carrier because the TKs are quieter.
Anyway, unsure if any of that was any help. But, though I'd share it in case it did help.GiantBeard Thanks this. -
Have you tried setting the reefer on cycle/ start stop?
-
I can't convince my boss that cycle mode might be the reason we have both frost damage and high pulp temp.alds Thanks this. -
Trailer insulation will affect fuel consumption a lot.
-
My 2018 Great dane SS with Carrier 7900X4 eats about half a gallon per hour running continues. 24/7/365
Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds
Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.