Older reefers require routine servicing every 1,000 hours, but newer ones can go much longer. This SB series Thermo King reefer, for example, worked on here by Technicians at the CSTK dealership in Vineland, N.J., needs service only every 3,000 hours.
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.
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.
How often should you service a reefer trailer? – Related Questions
What pays more reefer or flatbed?
Higher Pay Per Mile
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.
How do I get high paying reefer loads?
The best way to get reefer loads for fresh refrigerated meat and produce is to work directly with shippers. Working with shippers can provide you with regular loads, and it bypasses load boards and brokers. This strategy allows you to keep more money per load, which makes you more profitable.
How much fuel does a reefer trailer 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 much electricity does a reefer use?
Power consumption is in the range 5.8 kW – 11 kW dependent upon container size, ambient temperature, temperature settings, stowage plans etc. Normal reefer plugs, as fitted to sea going containers, have four pins and not five pins as is common with some land based equipment.
How much fuel does a reefer use per day?
How Much Fuel Does a Reefer Use for a Day? At the low-end, a reefer truck will burn about . 4 gallons per hour, meaning 9.6 gallons of fuel in a regular 24-hour period. On the high-end, trucks can burn at about 1.1 gallons per hour, meaning 26.4 gallons over a day.
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.
How long can full reefer fuel run?
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.
Is a reefer profitable?
Reefer loads can be very lucrative, especially sensitive loads.
Can you make money with a reefer truck?
Do reefer loads pay well? 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.
What is the most profitable trailer?
MOST PROFITABLE TYPES OF TRAILERS FOR OWNER OPERATORS
Tanker trailers. Tanker trailers are some of the most in-demand but at the same time dangerous types in the trucking industry.
Refrigerated trailers. Reefer is a much more expensive trailer.
Car hauler trailers.
Flatbed trailers.
Dry vans.
What is the best paying freight to haul?
Flat-bed loads are good-paying loads because they’re usually heavier or larger cargo, and the driver often has to help secure and cover the load. Dangerous goods, such as fuel, chemicals, or other unstable cargo, are better-paying as well.
Is hauling reefer hard?
It’s most commonly known as reefer trucking, and this haul type is particularly good for drivers who have some experience already and pride themselves on their close attention to detail. Reefer trucking is hard work but is also compensated well.
How much does an Owner Operator Reefer make? As of Nov 30, 2022, the average annual pay for an Owner Operator Reefer in the United States is $169,707 a year.