What Are Reefer Trailers? Are They Right For You?

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a line of green semi trucks in a row

Anyone can recognize tractor trailers on the road. We've all driven past them, sometimes on a daily basis. 

Most people, however, don't think about what kind of tractor trailer they're looking at. What could be inside that trailer? And is there a difference from one semi truck trailer to the next? 

If you're in the trucking industry, either as a shipper or a carrier, then you know that there's a difference. 

For example, you may have given a lot of thought to reefer units and whether or not those reefer units are right for your company's needs. 

If you're thinking about using reefer trucks as part of your business, there are a few things you'll want to consider. 

Refrigerated Trailers

open boxes of raspberries

"Reefer trailer" is a trucking slang term for a refrigerated trailer. 

A reefer trailer can go by other names too, including: 

  • reefer unit 

  • refrigerated shipping unit 

  • reefer container 

  • reefer truck 

The term "reefer truck" isn't quite accurate. Reefers are hauled by the same trucks that haul other trailers. When it comes to temperature sensitive products, what matters most is the trailer itself, not the trucks that move it. 

Unlike a cooling van, which reduces heat by providing ventilation, a reefer trailer actively circulates chilled air and provides temperature control. Reefer trailers remove heat while keeping a steady temperature throughout the unit. 

Refrigerated trailers are essential for temperature sensitive goods such as produce and flowers. Refrigerated freight couldn't move safely without them. 

Reefer Trailer VS Dry Van 

Dry vans are some of the most common types of transportation equipment on the road today. 

A dry van is used for hauling goods that don't require refrigeration for safe transport. Without a refrigeration unit, a dry van may not be able to transport perishable goods that need to stay cool, but it can still carry all sorts of other freight like electronics and non-perishable food items. 

Both reefer trailers and dry vans have their pros and cons. The right choice depends on your company, products, routes, and priorities. 

Considerations for Trucking Companies 

Some trucking companies work only with reefer trailers or other specialized trailers. Some only use dry vans. 

In a lot of "dry van only" companies, business owners wonder if they should add a reefer trailer or two to their fleet. 

Load Availability 

If you're thinking about adding refrigerated trailers to your trucking company, one of the first things to consider is load availability. 

On the one hand, it's almost always easier to find loads for dry vans, since there's a high demand to move non-perishable freight over long distances. 

That said, you should also consider where your lanes are. Your routes may have a higher demand for refrigerated trailers than others. If that's the case, adding a reefer trailer to your fleet could definitely be worth exploring. 

And because there are fewer refrigerated trucks than dry vans on the road, reefer trailers could help you dip into an important niche. 

Trailer Versatility 

Next, consider your trailer versatility needs. For instance, a reefer trailer could give you some extra wiggle room if you're hauling a lot of LTLs. 

After all, some LTL loads outright require a steady temperature, while other loads could do equally well in either a reefer trailer or a dry van. 

In that case, owning some refrigerated trailers could let you haul multiple types of freight at the same time. 

However, working exclusively with dry vans will let you load and unload your freight more quickly, because you won't have to wait for a refrigeration unit to cool. 

As a result, dry vans can save you time by keeping your trucks moving. 

When weighing the pros and cons of reefer trucks, consider which type of versatility will serve you and your routes best. 

Business Expansion and Working with Food Companies 

A lot of trucking business owners consider adding a refrigeration unit when they want to expand their companies. 

A reefer container certainly can make a difference, especially if you work with a lot of food and beverage companies. 

Many of the biggest food companies transport both dry goods and goods that require refrigeration units. 

Companies that own both types of trailer can make the shipping process a lot easier for these businesses. 

Reefer Unit Maintenance Costs 

While owning a reefer unit certainly has its upsides, you'll want to consider the challenges as well. 

For carriers that own a reefer unit or two, one of the biggest drawbacks is the cost to maintain a temperature controlled truck. 

Because dry vans have no need for cool air, they also have less expensive maintenance demands than reefer trailers. 

While reefer trailers are absolutely necessary for some types of supply chain, it takes a lot of supplies to maintain the correct temperature for perishable cargo. 

For some carriers, the cost to maintain reefers is worth the profit that they make while doing reefer trailer work. 

For others, the profits don't justify the cost of owning this type of truck. 

There is no "one size fits all" answer when it comes to the cost of a cold air trailer. Again, it depends on your lanes, priorities, and the supply chain that your company works with. 

Considerations for Shippers 

An open box of green beans

If you're a shipper, you'll also have a few things to consider when thinking about which type of trailer you need. 

When you want to maintain a low temperature for your cargo, you have more than one option. You could use the closed system of a reefer unit, or you could choose a cooling van, which helps products stay cool through passive ventilation. 

Temperature Sensitive Goods 

Again, some goods outright require a reefer trailer to maintain the desired temperature. Certain foods and pharmaceuticals need low temperatures for safe transport. 

Even without specific safety concerns, though, some shippers still choose reefer trailers to maintain ideal temperatures during the shipping process. 

For these shippers, a lot depends on the weather along their routes. For example, some parts of the US stay relatively cool, even in the summer. In these places, the ventilation of a cooling van may be enough to keep their cargo in its best condition. 

On the other hand, there are some parts of the country that get extremely hot and humid. When the outside air carries even more heat than the air inside the trailer, then ventilation won't do much good. 

For shippers who work in these parts of the country, using a reefer system can be worth the investment. 

Refrigerated Trailer Availability 

Because there are fewer reefer trailers on the road, they can be harder to find than dry vans. That's one reason why many shippers choose dry vans for their freight. 

However, for products that absolutely must stay at a desired temperature, the process of finding the right transportation can be deeply frustrating. 

For these shippers, it's helpful to work with a third-party logistics company. Logistics services take the frustration out of finding the right carriers. 

Let Us Help You Find the Right Service

Whether you're a shipper who needs a reefer unit or a carrier looking for the right cargo, let us connect you with the services you need. 

Finding the right truck or load shouldn't have to be a difficult process. We would love to handle your transportation connection so that you don't have to deal with the hassle. Contact Pearce Worldwide today for more transportation system information.