Typically, reefer loads pay more money. Since fresh food and medicine is always in demand, there’s a consistent need for refrigerated trucking services. Many require long-haul transport, which also usually means more money.
How much can I make with a reefer truck?
How much does a Reefer Truck Driver make? As of Dec 14, 2022, the average annual pay for a Reefer Truck Driver in the United States is $61,215 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $29.43 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,177/week or $5,101/month.
How long do refrigerated trucks last?
A common rule of thumb is a reefer trailer should last for an average of 40,000 hours of use which equates to about 8 years on the open road.
Can refrigerated trucks be plugged in?
Some refrigerated trailers may come with an electric standby mode on the refrigeration unit which will allow it to run solely on electrical power. Refrigeration units can also be plugged into the main facility’s electrical grid without significant alterations.
Do refrigerated trucks make more money? – Related Questions
Do refrigerated trucks have to idle?
Thanks to advances in technology, refrigerated trucks and trailers no longer have to keep their engines on to keep their refrigerators running.
Do refrigerated trucks use diesel?
“A trailer refrigeration unit traditionally is powered by a small diesel engine or electric motor that drives compressors to provide cooling to the cargo.
Can you plug in a reefer?
Reefers must be plugged into a power source in order to function. They are usually powered by a generator attached to the container and provide electricity to the Cooling Unit. These generators can be either fuel-powered or electric-powered, or both.
How do reefer trailers get power?
In a reefer trailer, its compressor is driven by a small diesel engine.
How are refrigerated vans powered?
The refrigerated section of the vehicle usually uses a direct drive system with a compressor bolted to the side of the engine to power the refrigeration unit whilst the vehicle is running. Some vans can also come with an additional power source, with a mains driven standby compressor.
How is a refrigerated trailer powered?
They utilize battery- or electric-powered generators to keep goods at a constant temperature and humidity rather than relying on insulated panels to maintain a product at a particular temperature for 96 hours or longer. The parts of a reefer trailer include the compressor, condenser, evaporator and insulation.
How much diesel does a refrigerated trailer use?
Modern reefer units use between 0.4 and 1.1 gallons of diesel per hour of engine run time.
How do refrigerated trucks stay cold?
Refrigerated trucks do, in fact, have an onboard, built-in refrigerator or freezer, however, these units operate seamlessly with the vehicle’s electrical and charging system. An engine-mounted compressor paired with a skirt-mounted condenser gets things cold, while fans direct air to each and every part of the unit.
How cold do refrigerated trailers get?
The average reefer maintains temperatures within a range of about -13 degrees to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. However, there are highly specialized refrigeration units that go as low as -85 degrees Fahrenheit. These reefers are typically used for the transport of items in the medical and chemical industries.
Are refrigerated trailers insulated?
JW: Yes. If you do not keep the insulated box sealed from water, degradation occurs. This means you’ll lose insulation capability and run higher unit/fuel costs in refrigeration. In addition, refrigerated trailers cost more to repair due to the complexity of working on refrigerated boxes versus a dry box.
Are refrigerated trucks insulated?
Insulation for refrigerated truck bodies varies depending on your application. There are two primary forms of insulation, including block foam and sprayed foam. The thickness of the insulation is dependent on the truck body’s application.
How much does it cost to run a reefer trailer?
But reefer rates per mile vary for several reasons. The average national rate is $2.97 per mile, but this rate will differ from one state to another. Other factors that affect the rate per mile include: Distance the cargo is shipped.
What pays more reefer or flatbed?
Flatbeds. Advantages: Typically better paying positions. Disadvantages: Chaining, strapping, and securing tarp are long and tedious processes required for each load.
Is reefer fuel cheaper than diesel?
Cost & Usage
Without road tax added, reefer fuel’s price is lower everywhere, especially in states like California with high road taxes. Reefer fuel costs about $2.97 to $2.99 per gallon as of June 2022. The retail price of standard number two diesel, by contrast, is now $5.57 per gallon.
How often do you fuel reefer trailer?
How Long Does a Tank of Reefer Fuel Last? Reefer trucks burn around 3/4th of a gallon of reefer fuel per hour, and most tanks are 50 gallons. With that, reefer tanks usually need to be filled every 2 or 3 days, but again this also depends on freight requirements.
What happens if reefer runs out of fuel?
If you run out of fuel for the reefer, you run out of cold, so to speak – a problem that can put cargo at risk. Additionally, restarting the refrigeration unit may be problematic, because when the tank runs dry the engine can lose its prime. That can force a costly service callout.