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 is the difference between diesel fuel and reefer 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.
How much fuel does a reefer 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 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.
What kind of fuel does a reefer take? – Related Questions
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.
How much fuel does a reefer use in a 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.
Can you put reefer fuel in a diesel truck?
Reefer fuel is a particular type of diesel fuel that does not have taxes like regular diesel. Regardless of the red dye and special tax designation, reefer fuel is like regular diesel and will power any diesel engine. Because of this special tax designation, reefer fuel isn’t allowed for use in on-road vehicles.
Can you use off road diesel in a reefer?
This is extremely common in reefer trucks and other specialized vehicles. If the separate tank only supports the additional equipment and does not actually run the motor, you can use off road diesel in the second tank.
How much fuel does a reefer use in a 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.
What is the average reefer rate per mile?
Reefer Freight Rates – November 15, 2022
Reefer rates are highest in the Midwest, averaging $3.28 per mile. The lowest rates are in the Southeast, with an average of $2.48 per mile. National reefer capacity is at 4.76 loads to truck, compared to the October 23rd average of 3.95 loads to truck.
How much does it cost to run a reefer?
To answer your question on what is the going rate per mile for trucking — current trucking rates per mile 2022 averages are: Van rates are at $2.76 per mile. Reefer rates are $3.19 per mile.
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?
Therefore, it is expected that the reefer container’s insulation system can maintain internal cargo area temperatures within 1-2 degrees Celsius of the cargo protocol temperature, even with average power disconnection time periods of 1 to 6 hours during its trip.
How many gallons of fuel does a reefer 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.
Can you run off road diesel in a reefer trailer?
Unlike “clear diesel” (which is clear of dye), off road diesel is not intended for road vehicles. The fuel product is designated specifically for equipment often used in farming activities or construction. Dyed diesel can be used with heavy machinery, generators or refrigerated trailers, among other purposes.
Can you put tractor diesel in a truck?
Off-road diesel should not be used in trucks used for personal use, although it can be used by any vehicles that aren’t driven on the road (for instance, construction equipment, tractors and even generators). Using off-road diesel in a vehicle that travels on roads is illegal.
How do police check for red diesel?
HMRC and the police check for illegal red diesel use by carrying out random spot checks using a dipstick test. The chemical dye added to the fuel is designed to linger in a tank and is almost impossible to remove, so if you’ve used red diesel in the past, you could be caught years down the line.
Is tractor diesel the same as regular diesel?
As stated, other than the cost, color, and usage, there is no difference. Regular diesel fuel has been regulated more stringently by the EPA in the past. Since 2014, regulations for emissions standards, sulfur content, and fuel quality have been leveled across the board for both on-road and off-road diesel.
What happens if you use farm diesel in your truck?
If your car uses diesel, it will run on off-road diesel. But as mentioned above, if you’re using it illegally and get caught, you’ll get fined from both state and federal governments. In cases of natural disasters, sometimes that’s the only fuel available, so you probably won’t get fined.
How can you tell if someone is using red diesel?
Red diesel is used by restricted industries in off-road vehicles and and machinery. It’s virtually the same fuel as regular diesel, except a red marker (dye) is added to identify illegal usage.