What Is Reefer Trucking?
Reefer trucking (refrigerated trucking) involves transporting temperature-sensitive freight in a trailer equipped with a refrigeration unit. Reefer trailers can maintain temperatures from -20°F (frozen goods) all the way up to 70°F (wine, produce that needs cooling but not freezing).
Reefer typically pays $0.10-$0.30 more per mile than dry van due to the specialized equipment and additional responsibility.
Common Temperature Ranges
| Temperature | Commodity Examples |
|---|---|
| -20°F to 0°F | Ice cream, frozen meals, frozen meat |
| 0°F to 28°F | Fresh meat, seafood, dairy |
| 28°F to 34°F | Fresh produce (most), flowers |
| 34°F to 40°F | Beverages, some produce, eggs |
| 55°F to 65°F | Wine, chocolate, certain medications |
Top Reefer Commodities
- Fresh produce — high volume, year-round, concentrated in California, Florida, and Texas
- Meat and poultry — consistent demand, excellent rates, Midwest focused
- Dairy products — milk, cheese, butter — steady volume
- Frozen foods — frozen meals, ice cream — requires -10°F to -20°F
- Pharmaceuticals — highest rates, strict compliance requirements
- Floral — seasonal spikes around holidays
Reefer Unit Maintenance
The refrigeration unit (often called a "reefer unit" or "refer unit" — brands include Thermo King and Carrier) requires specific maintenance:
- Pre-cool the trailer before loading — start unit 30-60 min before pickup
- Check fuel level — reefer units run on separate diesel tank (not truck fuel)
- Inspect door seals — worn seals cause temperature variance and costly claims
- Annual PM — belts, refrigerant levels, condenser cleaning
- Temperature recorder — many loads require continuous temp logging (DataLogger)
FSMA Compliance for Food Transport
The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Sanitary Transportation Rule applies to carriers hauling food. Requirements include:
- Temperature controls maintained throughout transport
- Adequate cleaning between loads (especially from non-food to food)
- Written procedures for temperature monitoring
- Training for drivers and other personnel
Reefer vs Dry Van — Is It Worth It?
| Factor | Reefer | Dry Van |
|---|---|---|
| Average RPM | $2.80 – $3.80 | $2.40 – $3.20 |
| Trailer cost | $40,000 – $70,000 | $25,000 – $45,000 |
| Fuel cost (reefer unit) | +$0.05 – $0.15/mi | N/A |
| Maintenance complexity | High | Medium |
| Freight availability | High | Very High |
| Seasonal variation | Some (produce seasons) | Steady |
Finding Reefer Loads
The best sources for consistent refrigerated freight:
- Produce shippers — direct relationships with farms and packing houses in California Salinas Valley, Florida, Texas Rio Grande Valley
- Grocery distribution centers — Sysco, US Foods, McLane consistently need reefer coverage
- DAT and Truckstop — filter for reefer loads specifically
- Temperature-controlled focused brokers — Nations, Coyote, Echo
Managing Reefer Operations With TruxlyOS
TruxlyOS lets you set equipment type as Reefer when searching the load board, so results are filtered specifically for temperature-controlled freight. Temperature requirements can be noted in load details, and drivers receive temperature instructions through the driver app. All load documentation including temperature logs can be stored with the load record for FSMA compliance.
