New to Temp Controlled

You wondered if a normal broom works...the answer is not really. The floor of the average reefer is channeled for air flow.(I have seen posts on the forum about wood floor reefers, but never saw one, and don't know why you would want one with reefer freight). We're talking channels several inches deep and the average push broom's bristles don't flex far enough to sweep them out. When I first started pulling a reefer, before I got a cordless leaf blower, I used a standard corn broom (the broom mama use to use in her kitchen). And it takes forever to sweep a 53' reefer with one.

Another thing I keep handy is a seperate set of gloves (seperate from my gloves I fuel with). Kinda handy when you're removing load locks from a sub-zero frozen load. Your bare hands will sometimes stick to the load lock if you don't use gloves (think about the movie where the kid sticks his tongue to the flag pole). And I don't like to use my diesel/oily gloves when handling something that is going to be against someone elses products.

 

When headed to a "freezer" (cold storage warehouse), it's usually a good idea to pre-cool to desired temperature about a half hour before you get there. This may save you some time in some cases where the check the temp when you arrive at the guard shack, if you're picking up a -10 load and you're box is at 45, you may get delayed getting a door but if you come in pre-cooled, then you stand a batter chance of immediately getting a door.

In my reefer world, we are rarely in a position to pulp anything. Most loads the driver sits in the truck and waits, you can maybe ask to observe the loading process, but this is rarely in your best interest unless it's a "driver count" load (few are where I am) Produce is typically where you do most of your pulping and I'm not sure how much produce (if any) Lessors hauls. Food producers and cold storage warehouses are pretty particular about who is allowed in the warehouse or on the dock for security reasons.

Try and get in the habit of running a "pre-trip" on the reefer system before getting too close to your pickup to verify all cooling/heating components are running at par, especially when you get another trailer you're unfamiliar with. The "pre-trip" is a routine that is selected on the reefer control panel. Just select and and let it run. In about 15 minutes it will give you a green light that all is ok or a yellow light that something's not right. Never load a trailer that you know has any sort of issue where it can't pass a self pre-trip.

 

Also, if you're headed into temps you know will be below zero, it may be a good idea to run the unit at about 34 to insure the block and oil doesn't get so cold it doesn't want to start when you need it to. An older unit with a weak battery can be difficult to start if it's super cold.

And don't ever run one below 1/2 tank of fuel. And understand that many places won't let you in the gate with less then 3/4 tank.

 

One thing regarding the pulp thermometer. Always clean it with peroxide and alcohol between uses. That way no cross contamination. Everybody else has covered things quite well!

 

Great responses by everyone.

One thing I'd like to add regarding the fuel. The easiest way to not run out is to fuel the reefer trailer every time you fuel the tractor. Even if it only takes 5 or 10 gallons. You're already at the pumps, so a few extra minutes isn't going to hurt. Also, during the cold winter months, throw some treatment in the reefer tank just as you would the tractor. You don't want that puppy gelling up.

 

I usually fill up the Truck every day.
And Reefer every other day.

Unless I have a -20f load in the Summer.
Our Fuel Tanks are 50 gallons. Guess it'd be different if they're the 25s. Like Prime has.

 

Shut the reefer unit OFF when fueling it