Pros and Cons on running refer

In my experience reefer loads are more time sensitive. Companies are less inclined to try and use the trailers as storage boxes for that reason. Perishables have expiration dates. Another reason running a reefer is lucrative is that even in a down economy people must eat.

 

Pro -1. a reefer can also be used for dry van loads..

Con 1. reefers are noisy and need to be watched after and maintained

 

shippers seem more picky about reefers, as far as smell/cleanliness. You just about always live load/unload so say goodbye to drop and hook, from my experience anyway since like stated above, they dont just have reefers sitting around in a lot running to get unloaded whenever. The noise didn't really bug me I got used to it, when it wasn't on it was weird. Of course, now you have another piece of equipment to worry about, picking up a trailer that was currently loaded dry, but next load requires the reefer unit so you go to turn it on and it doesn't start (teaches you to check the reefer any time you pick up a new trailer, not that you could do anything since its already loaded but at least you know that you'll need to stop in a shop before your next load)

 

A reefer is just another way to haul freight and you need to keep an eye on the temp and the door seal. I always used a lock as well. They are loud and some vibrate so badly it makes it hard to sleep. Many times I would unhook and pull out from the trailer just enough so the truck and trailer don’t touch. I could handle the noise but not the vibration.

 

Several comments here, so I'll add my 2 cents worth.

Been dealing with reefers for most of my trucking career. This is everything from straight trucks with single zone and dual zone, to pups with dual zone, right up to 53' with 3 zones. This has been both with a private carrier hauling their own goods, to for hire carriers.

Things that some people don't realize, is air has to be able to circulate through the evaporators. I've had loaders pack around the evaporator and wonder why the box wouldn't warm up. For the most part you need minimum 18" from the ceiling unless a tunnelling system is being used to ensure air flow. Return air must be able to get back to the reefer otherwise not much will happen. If you are using a barn doored trailer, shut the reefer off before you open the doors as this will suck the hot air right in. Something to also keep in mind is some shippers will be producing the product as you arrive and expect your truck to be able to freeze the product. Not possible. These units are not chillers and simply are not up to that task. The load must be refused until product storage temperature has been achieved. This is simple food safety and keeps you on track with HACCP. This is a primary use of these trailers is the movement of food, so safe food handling practices must be followed. As noted by others, a clean, odour free trailer will always be required.


There are primarily 2 manufacturers of reefer units out there (Carrier and ThermoKing). There are a few more trying to break into the market but those are the 2 big ones in North America. You will see everything from old mechanical thermostats on a single zone unit, to computer controlled (including remotely controlled via satellite) on the modern single to triple zone trailers. The dual and triple will allow you to carry different kinds of product at different temps. For example, for Walmart I have a dual zone trailer and handle what they call their fresh and frozen load. Basically yogurt and juice on the one side and frozen foods on the other. These units are centre divided with panels that can be removed and end panels to close up the sections. One zone set to 35F and the other -10F. This allows us limit the number of deliveries a store would require.


By utilizing a reefer trailer you are enhancing your freight carrying ability. You can move a wider variety of product but must be aware that food shippers would be hesitant to load a trailer that has been carrying hazmat product for example. Another downside is the reefer unit and fuel tank will become part of your gross load, so you will carry a correspondingly lower amount of cargo. They can be noisy. The guy that coined "Whisper" for a ThermoKing reefer has obviously never tried to sleep hooked up to the trailer.

 

Skan- Ship lobsters to Fla. One stop for three companys. Had accounts for 20 years. This is our own product. Customer wants product shipped with ice always. Its a lot of work but they pay for half the 2800 lbs. of ice and the money is good. The one advantage of this is road loss is very, very light and are moist. never had a problem. My question is if I kept reefer on could I use less ice? To me it makes sence, but scared to try. Thanks Mike-Z

 

I wouldn't worry about the reefer pro/con aspect of the potential switch, I'd be more concerned with the teaming aspect

Teaming has it's dynamic that affects gross pay for the team members, and how the owner pays the team. That's half of it, the other half is what sort of hauling is it? Is it coast to coast hauling or something else? Is much of it produce? Will you team with somebody who has the same home-time needs/wants as you?

 

Certainly you can keep the reefer running and the ice would be in better shape when reaching the destination. The biggest concern is the beating down of the sun on the roof of the trailer. Granted most are well insulated but this is still a problem. By running the reefer you would offset that issue and by running close to freezing the amount of ice could certainly be cut back. If you are uncomfortable with the prospect, cut it back a bit at a time and see how it goes and monitor the load. By running the reefer on continuous mode you will get very little swing in temperture but will certainly use a lot more fuel. That, of course it the flip side of the coin. What is more expensive, the ice or running the reefer. Suggest perhaps running cycle sentry with diminished ice which will allow a lighter load but if kept cool ice melt down would be next to nothing.

 

PROS: If you're running team then I wouldn't worry about the noise. Carrier units in my company are noisier to me than the T/K, but I sleep fine hooked to either. There is freight out of Florida with a reefer. Some companies have drop and hooks; at least picking up. Reefers have a battery if you need an emergency start. Reefer fuel adds points to your Loves card. Newer reefers are pretty bulletproof. Your white noise trumps Mr. Chrome-idle-all-night with straight stacks. Hoping for a case of ribeyes to be refused because of a mislabel.

CONS: TYSON. Finding truck washes to wash out the chicken hearts that overflowed. TYSON. Fueling a poorly designed, skirted trailer with the fuel neck a foot behind the skirt. Chicken plant flies that ride with you for 2000 miles. TYSON!