If everything is running close to normal, a reefer’s 50-gallon tank could last up to 4-5 days. Simple habits, such as maintaining your reefer trailer can pay big dividends year after year.
How many hours will a reefer unit run?
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. These values are based on an average of 4,000 to 5,000 hours of use per year. Keeping your hours under 4,000 annually will then extend the lifespan of your trailer considerably.
What happens when 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.
What kind of fuel does a reefer trailer use?
However, reefer trailer fuel, which can easily be identified by its distinct red color, is another form of diesel, and it’s considered an off-road fuel. Since off-road fuel isn’t taxed the same as on-road fuel, reefer fuel helps reduce the cost of operating a reefer trailer.
How long can a reefer trailer run on a full tank? – Related Questions
How much fuel does a reefer unit use per hour?
Modern reefer units use between 0.4 and 1.1 gallons of diesel per hour of engine run time. In automatic mode, the engine runs a fraction of the time that the unit is switched on and protecting cargo, so fuel consumption per hour most likely will be at the low end of the estimate.
How many hours will a reefer unit run on a tank of fuel?
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.
Is reefer fuel different than diesel fuel?
Chemically, reefer fuel is similar to diesel. However, it is not the same as diesel because it can only be used on private property. It is dyed red to prevent misuse or confusion in its intended purpose. It can be used to maintain refrigeration in reefer vehicles – but not to power the truck.
What do reefer trailers run on?
A reefer trailer is a trailer that has a built-in cooling system, usually powered by diesel fuel, to keep freight cold.
Can you use red diesel in a reefer trailer?
Red dye diesel can also be used to run refrigeration units on trailers known as “reefers.” But the vehicle it’s attached to must use green-dyed, taxable, diesel. Just remember – stop and think before you use red-dyed diesel.
How is a reefer powered?
When shipping, reefer container operation is typically run on vessel or shore power. During rail or truck shipping, a generator provides portable power to the reefers. Containers may have a built-in generator, or they may have one externally located.
How much does it cost to run a reefer?
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.
How much power does a reefer use?
Reefers can maintain the desired temperature, required defrosting cycle and best humidity level for a long time. Hence, all reefers use 360/460V voltage from a three-phase network. The power consumption is 4 to 5.8 kW per hour and depends on the selected temperature scenario.
Is a reefer profitable?
Reefer loads can be very lucrative, especially sensitive loads.
What pays more dry van or reefer?
Refrigerated truck drivers typically average more per mile than dry van and flatbed drivers. At Knight Transportation, reefer drivers average 2-3 cents more per mile.
What pays more flatbed or reefer?
You know that not all loads are created equal: a van shipment will pay less than a flatbed, and a flatbed will pay less than a reefer.
Why does reefer pay more?
Because reefer trailers are more expensive to run and maintain, reefer load rates are generally higher than dry vans. But reefer freight rates can vary greatly depending on your location, the cargo you need to ship, and many other factors.