Why do shippers refuse to load dry freight in reefers besides weight issues?

They don't want the load to be loaded with a reefer load when it is less than a full truck load.

 

We hauled dry with food once or twice and that is by means of a bulkhead. In those days the trailer we had has a second reefer inside near the rear doors at the ceiling to cool the aft half if necessary. I remember one load being borderline which was essentially paint in the first half wrapped like crazy and then bulkheaded against a load food. That one we made sure not to haul again, too close to hazmat and food safety issues. It's a short story of what was possible and did happen long ago.

Many times the reefer became a dry van and that's the advantage. The last one we hauled was brass coils from Buffalo to Lonoke Remington in Arkansas for making into small arms cartridges. It was winter and we kept it at 60 heating all the way down.

 

Fear of moisture in the reefer
Chance of a forklift operator damaging the reefer
Odors contaminating the freight

 

Moisture in the reefer?

 

Size … some loads need the full 101" of a dry van. Floor … some loads need to be cleated in, which requires a wood floor.

 

Back in my Swift days I picked up a couple time at a foam insulation plant. Not only did they need the full width, they used the full height minus 1" and the full 53' to the point of putting holes in the insulation from the bolts in the door hinge.

 

This was always the issue when I ran a production shop. The height and width become a major issue. Also sometimes people want to nail down skids.

 

Places that double stack pallets don't want a refer with the cooling shute on top for fear of ripping it off. I hauled a load of wine bottles last week and they didn't want to load my reefer fearing it was too heavy for me. I assured them I could take 44,500 without a problem, and they were surprised when my on-board scales came back legal. Now if they just paid more for the load. I told them I'd be back when rates get better.