What are Reefer or Refrigerated Trucks?
The word “reefer” is the short version of the word refrigerated. Hence, reefer trucks and refrigerated trucks are not different rather they are similar. The simple reefer truck definition is a truck that is insulated and temperature-controlled, like a refrigerator. The loads carried by these refrigerated trucks must be kept at specific temperatures to avoid spoiling or damage to the product. Where most of the goods transported by the reefer trucks are refrigerated, the refrigerated trucks can also be temperature controlled to maintain both low and high temperatures.
Several highly important goods rely on reefer trucks to be transported with the proper temperature being maintained.
Here is the list of items for what refrigerated trucks are used:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Seafood, meat, and dairy
- Frozen or baked goods
- Cosmetics and skin care
- Chemicals and pharmaceuticals
- Flowers and houseplants
- Fine arts, antiques, and musical instruments
- Electronics such as TVs, computers, and tablets
Hence, it can be concluded that not all items the refrigerated trucks carry are related to the food industry. Some cosmetics and chemicals need a very controlled temperature. Short reefer trucks can be used to carry various kinds of products and different quantities, too, as there are also small reefer trucks available in the market for meeting all kinds of transport needs. Therefore, the reefer trucks can keep temperatures very low in scorching summers and very high in freezing winters.
Components of the Refrigerated Truck:
Active cooling is used rather than passive cooling in the reefer trucks. Rather than depending on the insulated panels to preserve a product at a particular temperature for 96 hours or more, battery or electric-powered generators are used to keep items at fixed temperatures. There are some main components of the reefer trailer.
- Compressor
The compressor on the truck unit is often attached to the engines, and it is supposed to power the entire unit. This is done when the compressor brings in and compresses the gaseous refrigerant using a tiny motor or vehicle belt system.
- Condenser
The high-pressure gas travels through the condenser into condenser coils, where the fans cool it down. The condenser then uses the sufficient heat produced to create gas. This gas is then converted to high-pressure, regular-temperature liquid.
- Expansion valve
The expansion valve is used to control the flow of refrigerant throughout the system, making it highly important for the reefer container truck process.
- Evaporator
The evaporator transforms the low-pressure cold liquid into low-temperature, low-pressure gas. The evaporator fan distributes the room-temperature air throughout the trailer.
- Insulator
The layer of polyurethane foam, throughout the entire trailer protects the truck interior from the outside environment.
Refrigerated Truck: How Does It Work?
The reefer trucks are similar to the traditional semi-trucks, but they are used to transport sensitive perishable items that need proper temperature maintenance. The refrigerated trucks have internal insulation, which keeps the items safe and secure. These two features of the reefer trucks are of great importance that reefer offers compared to dry vans.
Unlike these cooling vans, reefer allows the transportation of frozen and refrigerated items. There is a small diesel engine which drives the compressor in the reefer truck. A pulling effect occurs on the gaseous refrigerant, followed by this process liquefaction of gas occurs, which proceeds to heat the compressor body. This process affects the internal temperature of the truck. After this, all the liquified gas remains under pressure even after losing most of its heat to the condenser. The condenser pushes the pressurized liquid into the evaporator, where it cools off. A metering valve controls how much of the refrigerant is received by the evaporator. With this, there is another rapidly expanding refrigerant present in the evaporator every day. The refrigerant expands and turns into a gas, causing high heat absorption from the surroundings and the air from the trailer’s interior will move into the evaporator before moving into the compressor. This cycle keeps on repeating. In short, this entire process causes a cooling effect in the truck, which helps transport the perishable fragile item safely.
All About Reefer Trucking Jobs and Requirements:
The requirements of the reefer driver are pretty straightforward. The first thing needed is the CDL; to obtain a CDL, a few written tests and skill tests need to be given. These tests cover the laws, policies, and truck operation procedures. The preparation of these tests requires the people to attend truck driving schools for several months. Apart from the requirements for the reefer trucking jobs, let's look at the duties of a reefer truck driver. The reefer truck driver is responsible for understanding the load patterns, weight restrictions, and locations. Reefer truck drivers rarely have to load and unload the items during the day due to the weather conditions. The weather is warmer during the day compared to night, so most load and unloading operations are carried out around nighttime. The average per-mile rate of reefer trucking is $2.97, and the reefer trucker can earn up to $2000 per week.
There are many well-doing and well-paying reefer trucking companies, also known as reefer, that provide reefer trucking jobs like Prime Inc, C.R. England, Swift refrigerated, Stevens Transport, etc. The reefer in trucking is highly important in many ways. The reefer helps in the transportation of perishable products in fresh condition; apart from this, the reefer trucking companies help in the transportation of life-saving commodities on time and in proper condition; many companies can transport sensitive cargo to different locations safely with the help of reefers too. Hence, the reefer trucking companies and jobs are of great support and need for the transportation industry.
Refrigerated Trucks Pricing:
The refrigerated trucks are either bought by one to pursue trucking in the field of refrigerated trucking, or the companies rent the reefer trucks for the services. If we consider the prices of refrigerated trucks, there are many trucking websites where trucks are sold. The newest model of a refrigerated truck in 2024 costs around $298,000. This is the cost of the premium quality reefer truck of 2024, but the prices vary in terms of model and truck condition. On the other hand, if we look at the price for hiring the reefer trucking service, the prices for all reefer trucking companies are mentioned on the trucking company website. Whereas the average rental cost of the reefer trucking service is around $160 to $230. One can also expect to pay the national average cent per mile of $0.34. The cost of the trucking service can vary depending on the refrigerated container dimension, location, and rental company.
Reefer Truck Vs Dry Van:
Dry vans are the most common type of trailers in the trucking industry. The carriers generally use these trailers to haul nonperishable dry freight products that do not require a temperature-controlled system like furniture, clothes, dry food time, etc. However, this is just the beginning of the ocean when it comes to the dry vans' capabilities. The dry vans can transport any type of nonperishable items that can fit in the trucks. Dry vans can travel short and long distances. They can come equipped with loading ramps or roll-up doors, while other features are aerodynamic skirts.
The primary difference between the dry van and the reefer truck is the products they transfer. The second difference is in the structural design, as the dry van has thin walls to reduce weight and keep the cargo dry, while the walls of the reefer truck are thick to maintain the temperature. Furthermore, the capacity of the freight that the reefer truck can carry is low compared to that carried by the dry van, as the refrigerated truck has approximately three insulations on the wall. The two also differ when it comes to special maintenance, which is required by the reefer truck rather than the dry van due to temperature-controlled systems.
Reefer trucks can be hired for both the transportation of dry and refrigerated products, while dry vans can only be used for the transportation of dry items.
Role of Digital Permit Book in Reefer Trucking:
In reefer trucking, ensuring compliance and efficiency is paramount. The Digital Permit Book emerges as the unsung hero, streamlining operations and bolstering compliance for both drivers and companies.
1. Compliance at Your Fingertips:
Digital Permit Book consolidates all necessary permits and documents required for reefer trucking operations. Drivers can easily access, update, and manage compliance documents, ensuring a seamless journey through various checkpoints.
2. Real-Time Updates for Hassle-Free Operations:
With Digital Permit Book, stay informed about permit statuses, expirations, and regulatory changes in real-time. Receive instant updates and alerts, allowing for proactive compliance management and minimizing disruptions during reefer trucking operations.
3. Enhanced Communication and Collaboration:
Facilitate smooth communication between drivers, fleet managers, and compliance teams through the Digital Permit Book platform. Streamlined collaboration ensures that everyone is on the same page, minimizing errors and ensuring adherence to reefer trucking regulations.
4. Efficient Permit Retrieval with QR Codes:
Digital Permit Book generates QR codes for each reefer truck, simplifying the retrieval of necessary permits during inspections. This not only expedites the process but also contributes to a paperless and environmentally friendly approach to compliance in reefer trucking.
5. Comprehensive Record-Keeping:
Digital Permit Book serves as a centralized repository for all compliance-related records. Easily track and review historical data, providing valuable insights for continuous improvement in reefer trucking operations.
Conclusion:
The analysis of all the facts mentioned above can lead to the conclusion that refrigerated trucks greatly support and help transportation companies. Reefer trucking is another lucrative field in the trucking industry that a person can join. The refrigerated trucking field requires a better understanding of technology and skills to understand the reefer trucks system and work with them daily. Having a reefer trucking job is a great way to earn money and gain experience in the trucking field. The Digital Permit Book emerges as a game-changer, ensuring that every journey is not only temperature-controlled but also compliance-driven.
