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.
Refrigerated trucking, (also referred to as “reefer”) is a freight shipping method that specializes in the transportation of foods and products that require a temperature-controlled means of transport.
What’s the difference between reefer fuel and truck 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.
How long does a tank of reefer fuel last?
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.
Is reefer fuel the same as diesel? – Related Questions
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.
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 much fuel does a reefer 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 fuel does a reefer tank hold?
A standard reefer fuel tank holds 50-gallons, though train cars have tanks as large as 200-gallons. Most reefer tanks burn between 0.4-gallons to 1.1-gallons per hour.
How big is a reefer fuel tank?
32lbs.
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.
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 do you fuel a reefer?
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 type of truckers make the most money?
9 Highest Paying Trucking Jobs
Ice Road Drivers.
Oversized Load. Salary: $71,442 per year.
Specialty Vehicle Haulers. Salary: $82,099.
Team Drivers. Salary: $96,573.
Private Fleet. Salary: $95,999 – $110,000 per year.
Mining Industry Drivers. Salary: $58,862.
Liquids / Tanker. Salary: $88,024.
Hazmat Drivers. Salary: $65,466.
What type of trucking is most in demand?
# 1: DRY VAN DRIVERS
They carry all kinds of freight – from non-perishable goods to factory parts. Dry van trucks are easy to drive, and often, the drivers don’t have to unload the trucks themselves.
Why do reefer drivers make more?
The truck routes for reefer drivers allow them to get in more weekly miles. This, of course, means more money earned. More miles per week means that reefer drivers take better advantage of the available driving hours than any other type of haul.