Reefer
Reefer info
Also known as refrigerated trucks, reefer trucks are truck freight with a trailer that is temperature controlled in order to haul goods that must remain within a certain temperature zone at all times. These items include frozen foods, ice creams, or pharmaceuticals. These products cannot be exposed to warmer temperatures.
The major components of a reefer are a compressor, condenser, and an evaporator. The entire system is enclosed within the enclosed container.
The weight limit for these types of trailers is similar to that of a dry van. However, their legal width and height are different. The maximum legal width is 8.2 feet and maximum legal height is 8 feet.
While reefer trucks commonly haul loads that include perishable foods, they also transport things like pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and other hazmat materials, though not at the same time of course.
PROS
- Higher Rates
- More loads to choose from
- Most Dry Vans loads ready
CONS
- Cost more upfront
- Includes another piece of equipment
- that can break down
- More susceptible to driver error,
- that can lead to damaged cargo and claims
- Can’t carry as much weight
Capacity
• FTL (Full Truck Load) – Think full truck, so greater than 8,000 pounds and requires a large space such as the full trailer of an 18-wheeler.
• LTL (Less Than Truck Load) – A relatively small load, and consequently the least expensive and most popular freight transportation method.
• Partial Truck Load – Call this a medium-size truck load, which is usually booked by volume.
• Expedited or Hot Shot Load – These are typically smaller loads that need to get to their destinations fast. Expedited and hot shot trucking companies usually haul with smaller trucks.