There is no hard fast number, but we generally consider a reefer to be “older” at
20,000 hours
, and wouldn’t rely on anything above 30,000 hours. Manufacturers routinely claim their reefer units will last 40,000 hours, but that’s a lot like a car with 300,000 miles.
When should you run your reefer on continuous?
To ensure the successful transit of these goods, and avoid costly damages, each reefer must continuously run their refrigeration unit
to maintain the 32 to 36 degrees required to keep these goods fresh
.
How cold can a reefer unit 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.
What do reefer trailers haul?
Reefers are used to move any freight requiring temperature control. This fact, coupled with their insulated walls makes them the only type of trailer that’s properly-suited to haul
perishable items
. Products like fruit, pharmaceuticals and ice cream are commonly moved using these trailers.
How long will a reefer unit run?
Reefer Trailers typically can run for
two days without a refuel if opened only once or twice a day
. Three days if you go a weekend without opening the trailer if fueled on Friday. If you have staff leaving the door open regularly expect to need fuel daily.
How many hours is a reefer unit good for?
Reefer Hours
Reefer units typically log around
4,000 hours maximum each year
. A trailer that is three years old can be expected to have between 9,000 to 12,000 hours on its refrigerated unit. The hours on a unit can be compared to the miles accumulated on a truck. More hours means that the unit was more heavily used.
Why does a reefer unit defrost?
The reefer unit would have a “Set Point” that is manually set by the driver, and have it run at the specified temperature as instructed on the Bill of Lading (BOL) to prevent product damage. The continuous setting will have a defrost cycle
to remove ice or frost buildup from the coil
.
How long does it take for a reefer to cool?
Always Pre-cool the Reefer Trailer
It can take
two hours
to cool an empty trailer with the doors closed. Make sure the trailer has reached the appropriate temperature by the time you get to your loading appointment.
What is the maximum temperature a regular reefer can cool down to?
The temperature range varies as per the container type: 20′ Standard Reefer: -30C to
+30C
. 40′ High Cube Standard Reefer: -30C to +30C. 40′ High Cube Magnum Reefer: -35C to +30C.
How do I set my reefer to continuous?
What is cycle mode on reefer?
How do you adjust the temperature on a Thermo King reefer?
How does a reefer unit work?
– The Compressor – in a reefer unit, the compressor is driven by a small engine. The compressor draws gaseous refrigerant in and compresses it. The pressure inside the compressor liquefies the gas, and the now-liquid refrigerant gives off heat to the body of the compressor, and ultimately to the air.
Do reefer trailers heat and cool?
Though reefers are often used to maintain cooler temperatures, they are also used to heat air
. In the winter, shippers use reefers to protect temperature-sensitive products from freezing.
Do reefer loads pay more?
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
. Combined with averaging 150-200 more miles per week, reefer drivers create the opportunity to increase pay in two ways, helping each trip earn more.
How many hours will a reefer unit run on a tank of fuel?
Other loads set between 50F and 70F during the summer would need refueling every other day and only 20 gallons or so. Fuel the reefer every day that it is in use. You can get
at least 24 hours
out of a tank.
How long will half a tank of reefer fuel last?
Usually reefer fuel lasts between
four to five days
. However, if there is frequent opening of the reefer unit,. you may need to refill your reefer fuel tank daily or every two days.
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.
How long do Carrier reefers last?
Reefer units last roughly 40,000 hours—
about eight years
. Once they’ve hit that mark, chances are they’ve become unreliable.
How much does a reefer cost?
Reefer rates currently average
$2.97 per mile
at the national level, but this rate varies by region.
How do you prime a Carrier reefer unit?
What is reefer defrost mode?
On continuous setting, the reefer has a set defrost cycle (definition: Defrost cycle –
the process of removing ice or frost buildup from a coil
). The intervals are factory set for every 6 hours, but the unit will auto defrost based on a temperature difference across the coil.
How do you defrost a reefer unit?
Hot air to defrost
. This is the best way to defrost in the current refrigeration industry. Drivers only need to turn on defrosting solenoid valve, then the frost will melt. In this way has the advantages of better defrost, quick defrost and convenience(low labour intensity ).
Do reefer trailers heat?
Refrigerated trailers can maintain temperatures between 65 to -20 degrees F
. In addition, some trailers consist of multiple temperature zones, allowing you to transport different kinds of cargo within the same trailer.
How do you pre-cool a reefer trailer?
– To pre-cool the trailer,
set the TRU set point to within 10 degrees below the desired set point of the product being loaded into the trailer
. – Trailer should be empty of all pallets and cleaned out of all trash, wash out if needed. – Close all doors and check fuel level. – Run unit until it reaches set point.
Can a refrigerated truck be a freezer?
Refrigerated trucks do, in fact, have an onboard, built-in refrigerator or freezer
, however, these units operate seamlessly with the vehicle’s electrical and charging system.
Edited and fact-checked by the FixAnswer editorial team.
