Reefer fuel is a special type of diesel only allowed in off-road vehicles. This diesel is dyed red to clearly distinguish it from standard diesel. Because vehicles that use reefer fuel do not use highways or public roads, it is not subject to road tax.
Reefer fuel is a type of diesel used in reefer trailers, which carry refrigerants. The particular red-colored diesel keeps the massive refrigerated trailers cold. Because of this use, reefer fuel is illegal in on-road vehicles and trucks.
Is reefer fuel the same as diesel?
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.
What’s the difference between reefer fuel and diesel fuel?
Reefer fuel is a special type of diesel fuel that is only permitted for use in powering equipment that is not used for transportation on a public road. As the name would suggest, it’s also used for refrigerated trucks, but only for the refrigeration part.
Is reefer fuel the same as def? – Related Questions
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 are reefers 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.
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.
How long can full reefer fuel run?
Since a reefer unit is on a closed loop system independent of the truck, driving habits don’t affect fuel efficiency. However, a poorly maintained reefer unit could increase your fuel consumption. If everything is running close to normal, a reefer’s 50-gallon tank could last up to 4-5 days.
How much diesel fuel does a reefer unit burn 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 do you pump reefer fuel?
Is reefer fuel off road diesel?
Reefer fuel is one of the types of fuel that has been used in large vehicles. It’s also known that with other names: red-dyed diesel, untaxed fuel, or off-road diesel fuel.
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 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.
How long can a reefer be unplugged?
Power Outages: During and After
The refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened. A full freezer will keep the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.
How cold can a reefer 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.
The truck is your standard semi-cab. However, the reefer really is just the trailer. A “reefer truck,” then, is a semi pulling a refrigerated trailer, designed to haul perishable goods. These trailers differ from cooling vans, which are just insulated and vented.
Do reefer trucks make more money?
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.
Can you make money with a reefer truck?
Yes, reefer trucks can make more money because the cargo they ship costs more. Also, reefer trucks are in high demand, which gives their drivers more leverage and more opportunities to make money.