About the Reefers and Small Refrigerated Trailer For Sale
The market for refrigerated truckload has been popular for some years, and they are similar to how a dry van operates. They are more complex, but they are easy to operate once you know the basics about them. However, there are a few differences that one might want to know about these temperature-controlled vehicles.
Reefers or refrigerated truck trailers have a refrigeration unit at the front of the vehicle. This is one of the revolutionary ways to store, distribute, or transport your frozen goods to any customers across the country. There’s a small refrigerated trailer for sale that you may want to check out for more information about their specifications. These portable and small refrigerated units are versatile and simple to use.
Differences Between Reefers and Dry Vans?
The dry vans may measure 53′, and the standard for the reefers is 48′. However, know that there are differences to know about them, including the following:
- The floors, walls, and ceilings are made up of fiberglass or metal. Wood is never used in these trucks because it does not provide adequate insulation. It essentially prevents the walls and floors from the frozen products’ odors.
- Between the refrigeration unit and heavy construction materials, the refrigerator is usually heavier. The loadable weight of the trailer is often up to 43,000 pounds.
- The trailers are usually newer because the units that provide the refrigeration may burn out in just a few years of work. The carriers may need to replace them at least once every five years.
Types of Freight Carried by the Trucks
The products that are usually susceptible to damage by low or high temperatures are shipped and transported through reefers. This may include the perishable foods that always require refrigeration to prevent spoiling. Learn more about the transport of perishable goods on this site here. Other products that will require constant temperature control are the following:
- Pharmaceutical drugs and medicines
- Hazardous waste materials
- Bulky Liquid
- Flowers
- Paint and Primer
- Chewing Gum
- Candles
Although the truck usually maintains a cold temperature, it’s also possible to use heated air. Many truck owners usually need to protect the perishables from freezing during the winter season, especially the temperature-sensitive ones. Hence, it’s no surprise that they rely on the reefers to do the job.
How Does a Refrigerated Trailer Work?
To be clear, these trucks don’t usually intend to cool the goods. They are present to maintain the specific temperature of the shipped products from one location to another. It usually contains three primary components such as:
1. Small Diesel Engine that Powers Up the Compressor
2. Compressor that Powers Up the Evaporator Coils
3. The Evaporator Coil Itself
Overall, refrigeration is not through adding cold air but the removal of the hearing inside the trailer. The variations done to the air pressure will affect the temperature and airflow. As the air passes in the evaporator coil, it will remove the heat and redistribute the colder temperature. See more information about an evaporator coil in this link here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/evaporators.
Continuous vs. Cycle Air
There are two different ways that many owners run their refrigeration unit. It may be continuous or through cycles. When you run a particular unit in cycles, it will essentially decrease the diesel consumption but may create a variance in temperature. This can be ideal for long trips and goods that are not too sensitive with temperatures.
Products that are often transported in these trucks will require continuous cooling, such as the case of ripening fruits. The ripening will produce heat and need constant cold air to maintain a specific, consistent temperature to prevent the perishable goods from spoiling.
Some of the cargo loads, like frozen foods, are not too sensitive to temperature changes. They may withstand a slight variance, and this is where the cycling can be applied.
Understanding various commodities and specifications is very important for carriers and big corporations. This is because the responsibility of the products that they transport rely on them, and if anything happens, they will be the one to take the consequences.
Air Chutes in Reefers
You might have heard about the air chutes in reefers and are curious about them. A chute trailer is where the flexible air ducts are usually entwined with the refrigerator, which runs along the top of the truck. The chutes act as a ventilation system, which eventually distributes the cold air back to the trailer.
The chutes are flat against the ceiling, and when they are in use, they tend to inflate. You can install them easily, and they are well-protected against any temperature variance. They create more efficiency for the drivers, which will reduce one’s overall diesel consumption.
When you provide a more uniform temperature through the trailers, the chute will often decrease the product damage with the help of the following:
- To Freeze: This can occur when the products that are too sensitive to the temperatures are damaged because of frost. They are often too located too close to the airflow source, which can be prevented.
- Hot Spots: The hot spots are essential pockets located inside the truck, so the heat is cut off from the airflow. This will actively cool the rest of the cargo without any issues.
- Short-Cycling: This may occur when the air does not complete a cycle in the entire trailer. This can be caused by backpressure and poor loading practices. This may result in an uneven temperature through the load.
Commodities and their Shipping Requirements
Temperature-controlled freight may have a different loading and unloading process. For example, sweet corn may need to be immediately cooled so the sugar won’t turn into starch after it’s harvested. The corn shippers may decide to dump some ice on top once the goods are loaded into the trailer, and from there, they will melt during the shipping.
Another notable instance is the ice cream cones that have just come from various product lines. They were shipped at a lower temperature, and when they are being unloaded, they may need a higher temperature in the process. If shippers don’t do the pre-cooling process to the cones, most of these products will be refused and get rejected.
Ensure that you know all the necessary steps to avoid expensive mistakes when it comes to shipping. Both the carriers and shippers need to know the following things:
- Understand the commodity netter
- Know the things that need to be transported, loaded, cooled, or delivered
- They should ask lots of questions beforehand
- Document everything and communicate with the shippers so they are aware of any additional product requirements while on the road.
About the Produce Season
As fresh veggies and fruits are harvested, many of them are shipped in many states across the country during spring and summer. As soon as they come off the tree or out of the ground, the clock starts to tick, and they should be delivered at a certain date, or there will be spoiling.
If done right, everything will be delivered on time, and the produce remains in excellent condition. Reefers help move most of this product so the farmers will make the most of their goods. Some carry a high volume of products, and they provide services according to seasonal demand.
