In the era of a hyper-connected society, a wide range of consumer goods from small mobile phones to large car parts are routinely transported across the country by tractor-trailers. It is no surprise that one of the major categories of products being transported through trucks is food. Often, food products need special considerations during transportation such as refrigeration or freezing compartments. That’s where majorly the concept of refrigerated trucks comes in. Also commonly called within the trucking industry as reefer units, reefer trucks, or simply reefers, these specialized heavy-duty trucks allow food to be delivered across the country without the threat of rot.

What Kinds of Goods are Delivered By Reefer Trucking?

Freights that are sensitive to low temperatures are shipped through refrigerated trucking.

Though refrigerated trucking is often used to maintain lower temperatures, it can also be used to heat air. In the winter season, shippers use reefers to protect commodities from freezing.

Different kinds of Goods that are Shipped

Food products, pharmaceuticals, flowers, candles, bulk liquid, hazardous material, chewing gums, and others that need temperature-controlled conditions.

Process of Reefer Truck Working

Reefer trucks work on a closed system; they remove heat from the inside and maintain a cold, steady temperature therein.

Before understanding the process, it is important to understand what it is.

It is a compound found either in the liquid or in the Gaseous state. It absorbs heat from the environment and provides refrigeration or air conditioning when it’s combined with other components like evaporators or compressors.

Now we will address the 4 core components that help in maintaining this temperature.

Compressor

A small unit within the reefer unit will drive the compressor. The work of the compressor is to draw in gaseous refrigerant and as the name suggests compress it. The pressure from this compressor will liquify the gas. It will give off heat and that will be transferred to the body of the compressor and the air. The temperature here will still be fairly warm and the refrigerant will go through to the condenser.

Condenser

The condenser will receive the liquid from the compressor. From here the heat exchange process will begin. The warmth of the received liquid will flow to the walls of the tubing and then to the outside fins. Fins will provide more surface area and the purpose is to cool outside air that comes in through the condenser fan.

Restriction

The restriction is used to restrict the liquid refrigerant flow and generate a pressure difference between itself and the evaporator. The restriction device is more commonly called a METERING DEVICE as it measures the amount of refrigerant entering the evaporator

Evaporator

At this point in the process, the refrigerator has lost most of its heat to the condenser and has turned into a cold liquid. This will go into an evaporator through a metering valve. It controls the amount of cooling. inside the evaporator, the cold liquid refrigerant will tend to expand. It will further turn back into a Gas. Through this process, it will absorb a great deal of heat. The air that forms from inside the trailer will then blow over the evaporator. This air will then come back into the compressor and the whole cycle will form again.

The Flow Direction of the Refrigeration Cycle

1- compressor	4- evaporator
2- condenser	3- restriction

(In Circle Form )

Refrigeration Units can Work in 2 Ways:

Cycle or Continuous

What is the Difference Between Cycle and Continuous Air in a Refrigerated Trailer?

Running the refrigeration unit in a cyclical form reduces diesel consumption but creates more temperature variance.

If you are transporting a large number of commodities or those that are in their ripening phase and as they generate heat, then you may require continuous cooling. Some frozen commodities are less temperature sensitive and can tolerate slight temperature variances — in such scenarios, you can go with cycling mode

Recognizing the commodity specifications is extremely necessary for carriers since they are responsible for the product from its loading to its unloading.

Benefits For Reefer Trucking

Increases The Demand For Your Product

The biggest benefit is that there is always a high demand for fresh products that have been transported properly. The value of food commodities such as fruits and vegetables, as well as plants and pharmaceuticals, is always high. Thus, it provides more flexibility and scalability.

Protection From Weather Conditions

One of the other major benefits for your business is that you wouldn’t have to worry about the weather. Whether the temperature is 100 degrees outside or 0 degrees, your perishable items will be in a safe condition when they’re tucked inside a refrigerated truck service near me.

Arrive on Time in a Safe Manner

Moreover, when you deal with a professional trucking company, you will realize that your refrigerated shipment will arrive at its station on time. Companies that provide transformational services for refrigerated commodities are always going above and beyond to make sure that they get to where they’re going as quickly as possible.

Increases Reliability of Your Brand

When your products reach customers fully protected, it bridges the trust gap between you and your customers, so refrigerated services make it imperative that you keep all items fully protected during the transportation journey.

Compliance

There are several rules and regulations regarding the shipment of perishable foods, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products in order to make the whole process reliable. Professional refrigerated trucking companies are in compliance with such regulations that you don’t need to worry about them and can concentrate on your business.

Connectivity

Reefer trucking companies make it easier to maintain high capacity and density, so if you are opening a new branch in faraway places, all your needs can be fulfilled more easily, which eventually will lower your maintenance and operational costs.

A Wide Product Range Can be Shipped

There is a wide range of commodities that require and rely on climate-controlled transportation, not just for perishable foods but it can include other items like precious art, chemicals, plants, meat, skin care products, dairy, seafood, and many more.

Slows Bacterial Growth

Bacterias are present everywhere in nature. Usually, they get favorable conditions like temperature, and moisture when you ship your products through traditional means. In that reefer can be saved from these harmful bacteria.

Why Choose Professional Reefer Trucking Services?

When you’re looking to transport long-distance perishable goods, you’ll usually find yourself in need of refrigerated transport services. While then, considering other modes of shipment can be quite expensive as compared to reefer trucks.

Additionally, if your shipment falls into the wrong hands, perishables can spoil in between the route and might cost you a fortune.

Once you have handed over your commodities to your logistics partners, you’re entirely at their mercy. They will take care of your goods and are responsible to deliver those products on time. The whole transportation process could be worthless if it would not arrive on time.

Don’t take a chance, hire an experienced transportation company.

Not just this, there are so many benefits that you will be able to enjoy when you collaborate with the best-refrigerated truck delivery service company near you.

Instructions For Shippers and Carriers

Here are the few takeaways that both shipper and carrier need to consider.

For shippers: Supplier of the Commodities.

Know about your loads: Work with someone who has some prior experience in refrigerated freight and understands its complexities.

Clear about your demands from the provider: If you are handling overly sensitive products, then you should properly communicate with your provider about how they will handle it.

Understand how temperature variations between regions affect your commodities: Create a plan with your providers about the temperature requirements from region to region, especially in the case of overly sensitive products.

For carriers: Company who transports the goods

Carry an infrared thermometer: As a carrier, if you carry an infrared thermometer, it will allow you to check the temperature of the freight before it goes onto the truck.

Know what you are transporting: Ask a lot of questions about the shipping required for the specific commodity.

Market volatility: While reefer and fresh products are always in high demand and offer high-margin opportunities, keep in mind that rates can be more volatile than truckload shipping.

All Track Transport is a leading transportation company in Surrey, BC. With our 40 years of experience in cross-border trucking, they provide reefer truck services. Our trucking and shipping services are extensive, and we have highly trained drivers in refrigerated trucking that can fulfill your specific needs.

Reefer Trucking – A Detailed Explanation of the Process and Why It Works So Well?