How are reefer trailers powered?

For all their sophistication, the vast majority of reefer units today are powered by a simple diesel engine. Like their bigger brethren under the hood, refrigeration motors need routine maintenance and extra fuel. They’re also subject to government regulations because they produce exhaust and make noise.

How are reefer trucks powered?

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. An engine-mounted compressor paired with a skirt-mounted condenser gets things cold, while fans direct air to each and every part of the unit.

How long can a reefer trailer run?

Reefer Trailers typically can run for two days without a refuel if opened only once or twice a day.

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.

How warm can a reefer trailer get?

Some reefer trailers can accommodate zones with different temperatures in each so drivers can haul multiple types of goods in one load. The average reefer maintains temperatures within a range of about -13 degrees to 77 degrees Fahrenheit.

How do Thermo King units work?

Electric fans circulate air through the coils. As the liquid evaporates, it cools the coil and the air passing over it. Cool air is thus circulated through the cargo maintaining the temperature set-point. Having cooled the coil and the air, the gas is directed outside the vehicle body into the atmosphere.

Are reefer trailers insulated?

Living Inside a Reefer Trailer The reefer trailer already comes fully insulated, so it will last a lot longer than normal trailers and have fewer utility bills. You will have to put in a good amount of work or money but you could be living in the trailer for years.

What do reefer trailers haul?

Anything perishable or that requires a certain stable temperature can be hauled in a reefer. Find specific types of reefer loads on a load board that caters to shippers with perishable freight. Examples: frozen goods, perishable foods, chemicals, and even pharmaceuticals.

How many hours is too many for reefer trailer?

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.

How many hours will a reefer unit run on a tank of fuel?

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.

How cold will a reefer truck get?

Going against a common misconception, reefer containers are actually able to keep cargo warm as well as cold. In general they can maintain temperatures within the range of -65˚C to 40˚C, depending on the model and manufacturer. Common models can attain a smaller range (-25˚C to + 25˚C).