The Benefits of a Refrigerated Trailer

The benefits of a refrigerated trailer are impactful for any driver looking to keep products at a specific temperature during transportation. Reefer trailers collect and eliminate heat from within the trailer to ensure consistent quality, safety, and delivery of perishable goods.

If your business requires temperature-sensitive items, you may have an interest in the answer to, “What is a reefer trailer used for?” Refrigerated trailers are an ideal solution to maintain a specific range of temperatures and safely transport perishable foods, medical equipment, flowers, plants, and other sensitive goods. They’re ideal for transporting fresh goods to industry events, festivals, and other special occasions that require extra refrigeration. In addition, renting a reefer trailer can be an economical choice for businesses that only need its services temporarily.

There are numerous benefits of a refrigerated trailer over other trailer types, the primary one being its ability to maintain your cargo’s temperature. This not only guarantees your customers receive fresh and high-quality items, but it can also enhance your and your rig’s exhibited professionalism.

Standard dry van trailers can transport virtually any freight, but refrigerated trailers specialize in transporting temperature-sensitive goods. This means the trailer has an internal system to cool or heat, depending on what needs transportation.

One of the primary distinctions between a standard trailer and a refrigerated one is that a reefer trailer features an integrated refrigeration unit running off its fuel source, which may increase costs, but offers you the advantage of monitoring temperatures inside the vehicle. Reefers are especially advantageous for companies shipping perishable food items like meat, seafood, and dairy products which may deteriorate or become unsafe if not kept at ideal conditions. Reefer trailers can also run on a generator or electrical standby power, saving money on fuel, which is one of the top attributes to look for in a vehicle. This is especially beneficial if your business requires frequent switching between loads. Furthermore, this reduces deadhead miles–an expensive expense for any trucking company–by cutting down on unnecessary trips.

Reefer Trailer

The FDA has new regulations for transporting certain products, requiring they maintain specific temperatures during transit. This applies to items like fresh produce, fish and meat, pharmaceuticals, frozen foods, and even flowers; these laws are under the FSMA, or Food Safety Modernization Act. Those transporting these items must prove that their reefer remained at the correct temperature throughout transportation.

Reefer trailers are containers that have insulation and a Trailer Refrigeration Unit (TRU). This unit has a small diesel engine, compressor, and fuel supply. The TRU monitors the temperature inside the container and cycles as necessary to maintain that setting. The air inside the trailer passes over an evaporator coil, which removes heat and distributes cooler air back into it. As it cools, metering valves control the amount of cooling applied. Once liquid refrigerant solidifies, it changes back into gas and blows over again by fans–this cycle can repeat as necessary.

The walls have foam insulation to maintain the internal temperature as consistently as possible. This helps maintain an even interior temperature and allows proper air circulation beneath the cargo. Most reefer units come with a temperature recorder that allows drivers to monitor the temperature of their trailer remotely. This makes it simpler for them to determine if their reefer is working correctly and in compliance with federal regulations.

What Is a Reefer Trailer Used For?

Reefers are essential for businesses delivering perishable goods safely, but the benefits of a refrigerated trailer extend to helping drivers make more money on each trip. With their ability to remove heat from these items and maintain a preset temperature inside the trailer, a reefer trailer can also be used for keeping foods fresh and safe during transit. In addition, hauling refrigerated freight necessitates drivers be extra attentive and alert while driving, since spoilage could occur during their journey.

Another benefit of a refrigerated trailer is it offers greater versatility over the popular alternative: dry vans. In addition, reefer trailers can transport various loads and are secure–helping prevent theft and weather damage, which is essential in the transportation industry. Reefer trailers with insulated walls are ideal for transporting hazardous materials that require temperature control, such as acetic acid, phenol, propionic acid, and ethyl acetate. But just how cold can a reefer trailer get?

How Cold Can a Reefer Trailer Get?

Though some cargo types are less sensitive to temperature changes, some commodities, like meat and ice cream, require constant refrigeration during transit to maintain quality. As such, you may have an interest in the answer to, “How cold can a reefer trailer get?” These goods are susceptible to too-warm or too-cold temperature changes, so keeping the required 32-36 degrees Fahrenheit for transporting these goods must be a top priority. So it’s less of a question of how cold can a reefer get and more about what temperature you can use a reefer trailer to maintain, considering its cargo.

Most reefer cooling systems use diesel fuel to power a compressor that compresses refrigerant, turning it into liquid cooled by the outside wind. Finally, this cooled liquid releases into an insulated box to help keep food inside colder than usual. Reefer trailer refrigeration units are essential in maintaining freight temperatures for extended periods. 

You can link a GPS tracking system to the trailer’s refrigeration unit for real-time temperature monitoring and location reporting for all refrigerated trailers in your fleet. These tracking solutions also notify you of set point issues or alarms with your reefer trailer’s cooling units, helping you steer clear of fines and rejected loads from transportation and delivery agencies.

Another way to reduce costs is by ensuring your drivers update their training in transporting perishable goods according to FDA regulations. Whether it’s frozen meats, flowers, or pharmaceuticals that need moving, you’ll want drivers who understand the needs of their cargo and how to load and unload it properly. If your freight contains heat-sensitive items, you may consider using a reefer trailer with an “on-demand” refrigeration system that kicks in only when certain temperatures are present within the cargo container. This is often more cost-effective than continuously running an air conditioning unit.