All About Refrigerated Freight and Reefer Best Practices

Author: Donnovan N.

Reefers, also known as refrigerated truck trailers need to maintain a stable temperature from the moment they pick up the merchandise and until they drop it off. Usually, the reefers come with a dedicated refrigeration system to maintain the quality and temperature for that shipment. 

​Every since refrigeration units for trailers were patented in 1939, lots of trailers started to use them. Nowadays you can find around 500,000 reefers in the US, and they distribute 90% of the food in the US. The temperature for these reefers will vary, which is why they have a lot of insulation and the refrigeration unit is very easy to control. 

If you have a reefer and you want to use it at its full potential, then there are a few practices that you need to keep in mind. Here are some of the best:

1. If you haul perishable items like flowers, veggies of fresh fruit, you most likely need continuous cooling. Most of the time ripening produce will create a lot of heat. You need a constant airflow; otherwise you will have to deal with issues, so try to avoid that as much as you can.
   
2. Before you add packages into the reefer, you want to check them and see if everything is packaged adequately. Improper packaging can lead to damage. Fresh products need ventilation, while the frozen items need a solid packaging.
3. Don’t use the reefer unless you really need it. If the shipment doesn’t require temperature control, you are better off not using the reefer. However, if humidity or cold can affect your load, it’s a very good idea to use the reefer as much as you can.
4. Unloading needs to be as fast as possible. You don’t have to stop the reefer while unloading, but it’s a good idea to speed things up if possible.
5. Track the temperature and see if you need to change it. Usually, reefers have a great temperature monitoring system. That gives you all the control you need when it comes to handling and managing your unit the right way.
6. Start your reefer and make sure that compartment is cool enough for your shipment.
7. You need to know the right shipping temperature for the items you haul. Some items need a very low temperature, and others might require a temperature close to the melting point. Plus, if the items are not perishable, they don’t even need a reefer.

As you can see, every haul is different, and that’s why we recommend you to use these best practices whenever you want to transport an item. It might take a bit of time to figure out what approach works best here, but it will be worth it when you identify the right shipping temperature. You do need to prepare beforehand, but that will just lead to a great and convenient shipping experience. If you need professional reefer shipping, don’t hesitate to contact us today, our team is more than happy to assist!