What is the difference between a dry van and reefer?

What is the difference between a dry van and reefer?

With dry vans, you only have the option to transport cargo that does not have to be temperature controlled. However, with reefers, you can carry goods that are temperature sensitive and dry goods! They are the more versatile option since they allow you to carry just about anything – except heavy and oversized loads.

How does a reefer work?

In a reefer trailer, its compressor is driven by a small diesel engine. The compressor draws gaseous refrigerant in and compresses it. This pressure is then able to liquefy into gas. The liquefied gas then gives off heat to the body of the compressor and the air.

What is a reefer?

In trucking, “reefer” or “reefer trailer” are slang terms for a refrigerated container. These refrigerated trailers have insulated walls and self-powered refrigeration units. Reefers are commonly used to transport food and other temperature-sensitive goods.

What’s a reefer trailer?

Reefer trailers are designed to maintain a specific temperature to keep your cargo fresh on arrival. Refrigerated trailers are used for perishable cargo, such as fruit and vegetables, that needs to arrive in prime condition.

Can you run dry loads in a reefer?

The answer to that question is, yes, of course. Dry freight shippers don’t often remember that they can actually make good use of reefer trailers to ship their goods.

Does reefer pay more than dry van?

Higher Pay Per Mile Refrigerated truck drivers typically average more per mile than dry van and flatbed drivers. At Knight Transportation, reefer drivers average 2-3 cents more per mile.

How many hours does a reefer unit last?

Reefer units last roughly 40,000 hours—about eight years. Once they’ve hit that mark, chances are they’ve become unreliable.

How cold do reefer trucks get?

The average reefer maintains temperatures within a range of about -13 degrees to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. However, there are highly specialized refrigeration units that go as low as -85 degrees Fahrenheit. These reefers are typically used for the transport of items in the medical and chemical industries.

How much fuel does a reefer use per hour?

Modern reefer units use between 0.4 and 1.1 gallons of diesel per hour of engine run time. In automatic mode, the engine runs a fraction of the time that the unit is switched on and protecting cargo, so fuel consumption per hour most likely will be at the low end of the estimate.