New to Reefers, questions on loading and unloading?

There's a code the mechanics at your shop should have which allows them to override it, basically it's a hidden menu. They can't do it remotely, but they can give you instructions on how to do it.

 

That's the best advice in my opinion and experience. Think of it this way, as the driver you have a responsibility for the cargo you're hauling. If it requires refrigeration, you need to keep it refrigerated until it is no longer on your trailer.
I typically do not shut my reefer off until I have the paperwork in hand and I'm done. If they have you unloaded, but are still fumbling with the paperwork, there's a chance you may end up with some back. Perhaps there is overage or damaged they'll need to reload. Best to keep trailer prepared to have the cargo loaded. Reefers don't burn enough fuel that fuel cost to leave it running is an issue.

 

Agreed, another thing is places like Walmart where you MUST drop and go park in the bobtail parking. Sometimes that trailer will sit for 30+ minutes with the dock door closed. Overall this part is not complicated, just do as you are instructed. Leave the unit on unless told otherwise. When I was unloading in a place where I had to drop I always took a few minutes to go check on my trailer. More than once I have seen somebody exit out a door near the docks and shut off a reefer!

 

I pulled reefer when I was new. This is when I got my first lesson in “always call the customer and ask”. I was pulling a dry van because my previous load was a dry load D&H and a dry van was all that they had. DM said grab it because next load was just a bread load.

Cool beans, I grabbed it and off I went to the pickup customer. I got there, got my door number, opened the doors and backed into the dock to get loaded.

I sat there for about 15 minutes and the loader came out and said “I can’t load you man. This ain’t a reefer trailer”. I said “Why not, it’s just bread”. He says “It’s frozen rolls” as he looked at me like I was brain dead.

I could’ve fired daggers with my eyes at my DM. Lol

 

I once had the exact opposite happen to me. The shipper refused to put their product on an insulated trailer.

 

good way to get a load kicked at a C&S as much as it irritates me…

 

One reefer outfit I drove for also had some dry vans.
When the dispatcher told me to hook to an empty, and said "dry or reefer", either one. I always hooked to a reefer trailer. That increased my odds of not having to sit somewhere waiting for a dry load.

 

No , door's open off.

 

Ask the shipper/receiver... I agree with others that have said if the doors are open then turn the reefer off. HOWEVER, I have been MANY places the will not load/unload if the reefer is turned off. So, ask when you check in.