Reefer freight uses the abbreviation "refrigerated" to refer to cargo that must be kept at room temperature during transport. Full or partial trailer loads are available for reefer loads, as well as less than truckload (LTL), lots. Most often, food products, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing chemicals are shipped in temperature controlled environments. There are three types of temperature controlled freight available: refrigerated (frozen), maintained (heated) and frigerated (refrigerated).
There are many factors that will determine if reefer freight shipping is right for you. These pros and cons will help you decide if reefer freight trucking is right for you, whether your are a new driver or an experienced owner-operator who wants to expand your business.
The demand for reefer freight is higher than the other modes of transport and it bounces back faster from economic setbacks. Because the U.S.'s demand for food, drink and medicine is never in decline, no matter how severe the crisis may be, it will continue to rise. Transport Topics News reported in January 2021 that the fastest-recovering cargo type from the economic effects of the pandemic was the reefer. The need for temperature-controlled supplies rolls on through the holidays and is unaffected by the seasons. Consistent loads are a benefit to reefer drivers week in, week-out, and throughout the year.
Dry van freight is more expensive than reefer loads. This type of transport often requires temperature control. Food and beverage companies usually ship their goods in refrigerated trailers that are kept at 32-36degF. This is similar to your refrigerator at home. Frozen trucks are capable of operating at temperatures as low as -10°F. Some pharmaceutical and chemical products need to be transported at even lower temperatures. For example, the COVID-19 vaccine by Pfizer-BioNtech requires shipment at -80°C to 60°C (-112°F to -76°F). Reefer trailers can also be used as heaters in colder climates to keep cargo warmer during transit. This prevents the freezing of certain foods, alcohol, chemicals, or sensitive electronics from suffering any temperature damage. Because the loads are sensitive and require special equipment to maintain the correct temperature, reefer transport can be more difficult to operate. Freight that requires refrigeration is often more expensive than dry freight. This has an impact on the cargo rates shippers will pay.
Distribution centers, grocery chains, and food processing plants all have well-run loading docks that can handle thousands of pounds of cargo every day. This results in stress-free loading/unloading.
Two reasons why reefer trucks have fewer deadhead miles are:
1. Drivers have less space between loads because there are so many reefer freight load options. You don't need to travel far to pick up your next load because there are more loads.
2. Reefer units do not have to be reefer ones. You can turn the generator off if you notice that dry products are moving in one direction and refrigerated goods are moving in the opposite. The interior space of reefer trucks is generally the same as that of dry vans.
It is a complex job that can make hauling reefer loads even more lucrative. You should be aware of the possible downsides before you set out on the road with a Reefer. Long wait times and pre-cooling requirements Picking up temperature-controlled freight takes longer for a variety of reasons. Before the dock manager arrives at your pickup, it is important that your trailer is at the correct temperature to allow them to load their cargo. They will also take temperature. You'll have to wait if your yard is not far from the pick-up point and you didn't pre-cool it. Groceries ship in smaller skids and crates, which can make it take longer to load. It will take longer to load if it is dangerous (chemicals, eggs or cases of beer)
A reefer truck is unlikely to pull up at a grocery or dairy store in the middle of the day. It's harder to keep cargo cool during the middle of the workday, and most shelf-stocking occurs after the stores close. This means that you will need to stock your shelves in the early morning or late evening.
A refrigeration unit adds a layer of complexity to your rig. It takes more effort to ensure that the cooling unit is operating in a good condition. Also, make sure you have the oil, Freon and other fluids at the correct levels. You could lose a load if you don't maintain your cooling and heating system. If you decide to haul reefer cargo, you will need to be familiar with your trailer and the hose.
Although you can pay for trailer washing, it will cost you more. Sometimes, the shipper will reimburse, so keep your cleaning receipts. If you pay a lumper, keep the receipt. Lumberers are third-party operators who unload and load your trailer. These can be negotiated ahead of time. You'll end up holding the bag if you don't include this in your quote or forget to keep the receipt.
"What's that smell?" "What's that smell? A breakdown can lead to cargo being sold at a high price. Freight that is spoiled or outside the temperature range will be rejected by grocery stores. Sometimes, businesses will refuse to accept shipments if the date codes of the products are not within their delivery window. You can prevent this from happening by inspecting your cargo on both ends of the journey.
You can purchase breakdown coverage. Although reefer insurance is essential, it can be costly. To ensure that your coverage provider pays you when you need it, you will also need to maintain meticulous maintenance logs.
The best practices below can be used by reefer drivers and transport companies to minimize the cons. This will help reduce downtime, improve your reputation with shippers, and increase your profit margins.
Know ahead of time the temperature requirements for your load. Are you able to keep it in the fridge or fully frozen? Is it necessary to heat the product? What is the acceptable temperature range? Programming your unit in advance is a good idea. You should also make sure that you are aware of whether your cargo is perishable. Your cargo may not be accepted by the business that receives it. This information is often found in the shipping instructions. To ensure that the receiver accepts the delivery, check your cargo.
In addition to the above, ensure that your trailer is set up and at an acceptable temperature before you arrive at the pickup.
Unload and load reefer freight quickly.
This is paradoxical. It is necessary to balance safety and fragile cargo with efficiency and speed. It is more difficult to maintain temperature if your trailer doors remain open for longer periods of time. Before you open your doors, make sure that the dock manager is available to load your cargo.
Install temperature gauges and monitoring systems to your unit. It is important to know the temperature inside your trailer. Redundant monitors provide additional safety and security. To ensure your trailer is in the correct zone, use the climate monitoring tools prior to pickup and during shipping.
Your tractor is not connected to the reefer. The reefer draws its own power using its own set of battery cells. Your load could be in danger if the reefer battery dies. A good set of jumper cables can be run from your tractor to the reefer. This will help you save your load until help arrives.
A quality load board is the best way to locate the highest-paying, most lucrative reefer loads. To search for loads available in your area, you can use the GENERIC Refrigerated Load Board. You can get precise information such as destination, load type and miles so you can calculate exact rates per mile and negotiate to increase them. GENERIC load Board monitors the truck-to load ratio to show you your negotiation power in any area. The real-time updates ensure that you can see all jobs as soon as they are posted online.