A reefer trailer is a trailer that has a built-in cooling system, usually powered by diesel fuel, to keep freight cold.
How much diesel does a reefer unit use?
Modern reefer units use between 0.4 and 1.1 gallons of diesel per hour of engine run time.
What does reefer mean at truck stop?
The “reefer” in reefer freight is an abbreviation of “refrigerated.” If you need to maintain the cargo temperature in transport, you ship it in a reefer truck. Reefer loads come in full or partial trailer loads and less than truckload (LTL) lots.
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.
What fuel goes in a reefer? – Related Questions
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.
Is reefer fuel and diesel fuel the same?
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 will a reefer unit run on a tank of fuel?
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 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.
What happens if semi runs out of gas?
Of course, your machine will shut down because it needs fuel in order to operate. But what happens after that is anyone’s guess. Sometimes, it’s as simple as adding more fuel to your tank and restarting the engine. If you have extra diesel nearby, the whole ordeal could only take a few minutes.
Can you run dry loads in a reefer?
The answer to that question is, yes, of course. Dry freight shippers don’t often remember that they can actually make good use of reefer trailers to ship their goods.
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.
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.
What pays more dry van or reefer?
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.
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.
What is a lot of hours for a reefer?
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.
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?
While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $350,000 and as low as $25,500, the majority of Reefer Box Truck Owner Operator salaries currently range between $52,000 (25th percentile) to $137,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $251,000 annually across the United States.
How cold do reefers get?
Low-temperature laboratory freezers can achieve temperatures of about -40° C or lower. Kitchen freezers, by contrast, operate to about -20° C. The temperature “sweet spot” for lab freezers is about -85° C. “Mechanical” (compressor-based) freezers reach the -40° to -50° C range with a single compressor.
How do truckers stay warm at night?
Truckers who drive older trucks that are not equipped with APUs typically use bunk heaters to keep warm while they sleep. Bunk heaters run on diesel to heat the inside of a semi-truck.