Reefer Hauling Trucking 101 - Refrigerated Trailer Operation + How to Avoid Freight Claims (Part 1)

Reefer Hauling Trucking 101- Refrigerated Trailer Operation + How to Avoid Freight Claims. In this video, you will learn important info on the operation of a reefer trailer/motor and how to avoid freight claims.
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[@SmartTrucking]

Good Day Big Strappers. Hope you get some benefit from today's video (I know not all of you are produce haulers but we have had a ton of requests for this!) What are your thoughts on refrigerated hauling? Like it if you've done it, or do you stay away from it?!!! Love to hear from you.

[@hardipusa]

I do it for my summer job, when not in school. I love it but hate waiting at docks, they treat it as free cold storage!

[@25mfd]

@@hardipusa EXACTLY... not uncommon for receivers to check your reefer fuel... if it's FULL they make you wait... if it's not full, they put you on their preferred attention list for unloading... best to go in there with about half a tank in the reefer, scare 'em into unloading you fast

[@sstevocamaro]

Long live the Lattice King 🤴

[@gc9376]

I've been doing it for about a month now. I kinda hate this mess. These companies won't let you on the Doc a lot of times and won't brace anything. They give different temps to haul the produce then the brokers. Usually you're always heavy and that wait time is ridiculous. I waited 15 hours in Laredo. They held another guy there for the same amount of time because they didn't know his Seal #. Ridiculous

[@christoffervandyke8523]

When will you make Part 2??

[@jdschock9582]

As a reefer tech this guy knows what he is talking about. Thank you

[@thumpervansqueakynuts5848]

As a lumper I used to love when reefer units came in, most guys didn’t mind running it while we loaded them, it was great in the summer time

[@tiredtrucker4life]

Here is another trouble shooting tip. On an unfamiliar reefer trailer, never trust the gauge on the fuel tank! Just because it says the tank is 1/2 full does not mean it actually is. A lot of these trailers are rentals and the maintenance can be sketchy. Top up the tank before you hit the road. This can save you a lot of grief. Don't ask me how I know this! :)

[@TTVZicaZachh]

Reefer is terrible. Everyone hates you at the truck stop. You will literally spend so many hours waiting at certain places. Be ready to get reworked alot. Everything he says it's so true. Be ready to do wash outs also. Certain places won't accept you without it. Walmart is very picky. But if you're a owner operator you can do dry van also. Never forget that. Yes also turn your reefer off when unloading you will burn 1/4 a tank very fast. Only experienced people will know that. They won't tell you. These are built to hold the temperature.

[@wallysworkin823]

Rule number one. Cruise the truck stop and find a spot between two dry vans, back in, set reefer to continuous and have a good night sleep.

[@maypenclock]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂👌👌👌👌

[@nickhenshaw1902]

That’s funny c’mon

[@corymcdermott5096]

Funny this video comes on my recommendation feed. Just hauled a load of potatoes from Florida to Louisiana, for Walmart. Air temp was 87° in Florida when loading. Due to the food hoarding from COVID-19, this farm was swamped. Not much precool time, as they were bagging as fast as they could unload from the fields. Shipping clerk stated to maintain 42° and I laughed. I told them there was no way those things would get to 42° since they were just under 70° at loading. They amended the BOL and Walmart accepted the freight.

[@RFDMaine]

SLSC (shipper load shipper count) on the bills has saved my butt more than once! Thanks for your videos. Stay safe and be well.

[@murraystewartj]

Dave, just came off a long and hard overtime day making hand sanitizer and anti-viral cleaners (yep - we're busy at work right now). Grabbed a beer, ate the lunch I didn't have time to eat, and fired up the KZbin for a quick fix before I crash. Clicked on your video because I knew, I just knew, that there would be a Lettuce King story on this one. As tired as I am, I watched all the way through (great tutorial by the way) and was not disappointed. I am grateful that in these trying times I can at least count on you to deliver the goods. Cheers.

[@georgehartle8902]

We call the temperature grafting units "tattletales." The temperature the load is hauled at, is set by the shipper or receiver.

[@lavetteford9348]

Thank you for the edifying advice. I was offered a job to haul reefer. This gives me an opportunity to research the pros and cons.

[@SenorBolsa]

Our new reefers have door sensors to alleviate the issue with leaving it running, still good advice.

[@mrjv750li]

Ding ding good video i did reefer for a few days I had no idea what I was doing

[@kcgibbs]

Always run the reefer as bill of lading states.

[@SmartTrucking]

That's right!

[@drewrbunn]

I ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS run my reefer on Continuous. Sure it burns an eighth of a tank of fuel more a day than Start/Stop, but it's less wear and tear on the batteries, starter, ignition system, and fuel system. Also - when your reefer just idles up and down all day as needed, it becomes like "white noise"; you don't even notice it's there.

[@certified_boogeyman]

It's May 2022 Can't afford to do that anymore Unless the broker or BOL states continuous, I'm always putting it on cycle

[@dhillonsavee]

In new TK units and Carrier if doors are open engine shuts off itself. In winter try battery charging mode(like APU) to not loose 12 volt it's in menu. Keep good 10-15 feet copper wire 8 gauge for Boost or trickle charger for truck or trailer. Keep 4-5 gallons of diesel in container to top up reefer tank while dropping full of fuel , u do the need to run to truck stop, once I drove 30miles one way to fill-up ,had 3/4 to 7/8 diesel in tank but security at Cargill demanded full tank (Milwaukee). Infrared temp guns are handy to check product temp or brake pads at brake check ,does not replace probe but still.

[@sstevocamaro]

@0:30 I see you have a spread axle on that thing 😂

[@drucifer_too]

I thought those were only on flatbeds.

[@Bryan-of5qd]

23' spread 😂😭😂

[@SmartTrucking]

I've found the spread axles really nice for produce. Never a problem with axle weights.

[@HMMELD]

Dave didn't mention 1 thing - alarm codes. When something goes wrong a code number pops up on the screen. It may or may not shut down the unit completely.

[@lucasduck95]

Thank you for this, I'm trying to become a tech fixing this kind

[@johnp7279]

Finally an interesting video I don't pull a reefer so I learned a lot.

[@anthonyc362]

Look at the difference of a an old school trucker who was paid well and took his trade serious. Imagine all the food safety issues of today just from ignorant underpaid truckers and wherehouse workers. Great job. I am not a trucker but love trucks. I am an HVAC/R tech and you know more about refers than some idiots in my trade.

[@Whowhatwherewhy]

SLC is what I’d sign. Shipper Load and Count. Driver not on dock. I bet I’ve met The Lettuce King around King City and Salinas. Running up and down the 101 or I5 corridor.

[@robt9043]

Another great video. Something else to watch out for, produce pick ups when the farm is running behind or JIT. Especially when the DC is a short distance from the farm. Load shows up and the receiver pulps the load and it’s too high. Perfectly good product being refused…so as a driver it’s good to watch for this. On the point of trailers and weight - one of the major trailer manufacturers is building a new plant in Minn. with new composite walls that will greatly reduce their absorbing moisture vs current insulation.

[@rubenrivera2799]

Oh my goodness....... I drove for an LTL Carrier for a year that had me do LTL freight during the day in refer boxes then turn the refer on at night an pick up produce at night from Yuma to La..... they didn’t tell me all the tricks to working refer and produce ...... I figured if they did they would acknowledge that they were double dipping work with the same driver on the same shift...... seeing everything you pointed out and my experiences..... I was doing everything wrong. I NOW after watching this video understand the does and don’ts if I ever haul...produce. Never again .....LTL by day and Produce at night. You guys are super awesome..... best wishes always

[@SmartTrucking]

Thanks for watching Ruben! Take care!

[@benjamincuevas199]

I hauled reefer when I first started trucking 27 years ago. Got into heavy haul a couple years after that and been hauling Oversize ever since. It has its own headaches but you learn the tricks like anything else.

[@itzrobertho]

benjamin cuevas not to mention the pay is a lot better. I pull a stretch flatbed and those 20k lbs 90 ft beams from Houston to Cali or Vegas pay at least $6 a mile.

[@benjamincuevas199]

itzrobertho you got that 100% right.

[@joerangel611]

Good morning Load has to be Pre- Cooled However let me say this Some lemon comes straight from the tree into the pallet to the reefer And Yes it will cool down while traveling to the market warehouse

[@roscoeelcocko1863]

Good talk on reefers. Im leaving out tomorrow with a small company and this helped. Thank you.

[@sappy4happy448]

Thanks for the video Dave. Another video with quality content that answers a lot of questions I’ve always had. I’m doing P&D for an LTL carrier right now and my route has a couple of produce warehouses that I stop at periodically. Some of the wasteful practices and rules just baffle the mind. And there is no reasoning with these warehouse people. I’m usually in and out in less than 45min and by then my patience is about used up so I don’t know how guys that do reefer can put up with long wait times and other b.s. I will say that I see a lot more nice O/O reefer truck/trailer setups than any other truck/trailer type (flatbed, tanker, dry van, etc.) so there must be some good money in it.

[@standodge7687]

pro tip, it doesnt matter if it is a single temp or multi you should have a bulkhead so when pre cooling your trailer put your bulkhead head up half way so when you open your doors you dont lose all that cold

[@scottmc2626]

It's not just the air in the trailer that holds the temperature. The aluminum floor also radiates.

[@carlosyepe272]

I DID REFRIGERATE FREIGHT FOR 35 YEARS NOW AND I DOING DRY FREIGHT I PICK I DROP AND I LOVE IT MAKING MORE MONEY LESS WORRIERS YOU HAVE TO TAKE A LOT OF SHIT WENT YOU DO REEFER LOADS AND IS NOT WORTHY

[@dominickjustave3558]

I did refer for a year what a pain in the but

[@scottmc2626]

I've told the story where I had a missing door for almost two days with a 26 F LTL meat load with five stops. The last stop arrived two days late, yet there was no claim. The outside temperature remained at 26 degrees the whole time.

[@ninonicebx]

As always. Great, great valuable information. Thank you.

[@SweetestGapeach1127]

Learned a great message with this one.. thank you

[@Bendigo1]

When the shipper uses a temp recorder make sure they stick it on the freight, not on the trailer wall. Especially in the summer, the walls can be several degrees warmer than the air and the load. The temp recorder may show the temps were out of range when they actually were good.

[@grejsancoprative]

This is very interesting. And I drive a flatbed.

[@BigMoney23223]

Thank you so much for this video. I learned alot

[@curtackerman9771]

Wow learned a lot, thanks Dave.

[@PeetzaPieAmore]

Our trailers have multiple "bulkheads", with insulated removable seperators. Main reefer unit runs at the front of the trailer, and an auxiliary unit mounted to ceiling of the trailer in the rear. Usually freezer in the front bulkhead, chiller in the 2nd, and ambient produce in the rear.

[@Gamerdude753]

I'm contracted to walmart. Ours are like that but all three sections have a unit. Usually zone 1 and 3 are the same. Zone 2 is different. Sometimes 1 and 2 are the same and 3 is different. It's so that the first couple of store's product is generally towards the back and the last couple of store's product is generally towards the front. Unfortunatly its not always as simple though. Also we're not allowed on the dock but we are expected to collect stickers from the pallets to prove they got their product but they don't alway have the right stickers. Been with them for a year now and haven't got in any trouble yet. It has its downsides here but the pros outweigh the cons. Love it here. A lot better than my last company, Swift

[@drucifer_too]

This is typical in the foodservice industry

[@ABC-oo4vm]

All this a wonderful ideas, but only 1 problem. Shippers will not allow you on the docks. Shipper load - shipper count- was denied access on the dock to plup temps. Driver need to write this on your bills.

[@BobSmith-mc7uq]

Good info! I will stick to hauling auto parts. Simple man, simple load, good pay! Respect for the men that haul the reefers as well as the tanker bunch.

[@grinklar10]

I got thrown to the wolves with the reefer 😟didn’t even know how to slide the tandems because they were the kind where you push the button, then use a BFH to get the pins to pop in. 🤣🤣🤣

[@juanflores2882]

Thanks! Thank you so much for such an instructive lecture. Blessings.

[@SmartTrucking]

Glad it was helpful!

[@billbelk7250]

Good stuff! So many shippers and receivers insist you leave unit running-period! I used to hate that, especially when it’s 110 degrees in parking lot

[@48statenomad]

I love pulling a reefer. Everyone has to eat and if produce rates slow I can turn it off and run dry. Or find a nice short dry run to get me back to a place where produce loads are abundant.

[@VimalKumar-lg3yi]

fantastic and useful information sir, thank you

[@jessesager9460]

Great way to get my attention, is to include a Lettuce King story! Love the videos, keep em comin!

[@SmartTrucking]

Glad to hear that you like the stories! I like sharing them!

[@Roblox_goddess]

Thank you for all of your advice

[@SmartTrucking]

Thank you Jerod!

[@CDLMAX]

Thanks for all the great info!

[@SmartTrucking]

Our pleasure Pamela, thank you!

[@mrdave777]

Wow Dave. I haul with a reefer and this was very informative

[@SmartTrucking]

Good to know! Thanks for saying so!

[@robertschoonover6517]

Best thing I ever did GOT OUT OF REEFERS. 20 years of rude BS

[@cmv8722]

I’m out in a couple days. Good riddance, no more ridiculous unpaid loading/unloading.

[@planktonus]

great info , thanks Dave

[@SmartTrucking]

Thanks for watching Ivo!

[@HMMELD]

Dave, I've hauled things so fresh they didn't have time to cool it in the warehouse first - sea-food where I was on the dock waiting for boats to bring the catch. Or produce. It will eventually cool down, but it takes a very long time.

[@mohamedmaisari8608]

Thank for sharing your knowledge I'm fairly new in the business and after your video I must tell you that I'm gonna avoid reefers

[@Deroach]

Fav things to put on my Mal-wart bills as a contractor .... SLC & STC heheh

[@Bryan-of5qd]

An other great tips. Keep rubber down N'chrome shine up 🤘🤘

[@JamesDuphay]

Great information. Thanks for the video. You should do a video on continuous and start and stop operations on the difference and when to use either one.

[@SmartTrucking]

Excellent idea, thank you!

[@newschooltruckin3943]

Sounds like to many things I can’t control I’ll stick to flatbed

[@HMMELD]

It's not just the carriers who don't want to train people - it's drivers too. I was at this carrier and a brand new guy came on who never drove reefers before so I thought I'd give the run-down - he declined - didn't think he needed it. What's the big deal, easy as pie, nothing to it..

[@4seasonsTrucker]

Been a reefer hauler for 3 years now, gotta love when you get code 17 and its 80 degrees out and miles away from a Thermal King and your appt is in 2 hours. Shit happens.

[@SmartTrucking]

Yup! Run like the wind and call ahead!

[@eugeneklemenz]

Thanks for the great advice keep it up

[@SmartTrucking]

Thank you Eugene!

[@andreychuprin7365]

I always get on the dock, it's my damn equipment truck and trailer, especially I got 10 hydraulic load locks, bulkheads and an electric pallet jack, I'll leave empty if they won't let me on the dock or at very least take a look inside before it gets sealed!

[@JimmyJoeJr]

Its changing because of covid

[@OldDunollieman]

Excellent info.

[@SmartTrucking]

Thank you!

[@MB-xw1lc]

This is a great video. I needed this when I started running reefer. I learned some of these things the hard way.

[@dannymoore2413]

Great video. Thank you so much.

[@SmartTrucking]

Thank you Danny!

[@normangilbert1236]

Great video, so informative,

[@SmartTrucking]

Thank you!

[@Jones22_]

Please upload video on all necessary info on trucking through this whole Coronavirus thing, thank You!!

[@diaznevai8624]

Great video thanks lot for the informative is very helpful

[@SmartTrucking]

Thanks for saying so Diaz!

[@rockxstarx4945]

Love you guys

[@SmartTrucking]

Thank you!

[@matthewmartinez3971]

I think ive heard you tell that same story before but it was in reference to how fast the Lettuce King could run his truck. Still a great story!

[@drivesuredispatch9538]

thanks for the video

[@aaronhartmann7658]

Another way to cover your butt. For all us drop and hook guys, i make sure the check in guard puts preloaded trailer and sign next to it.

[@SmartTrucking]

Yup, good!

[@graymikep64]

Thanks

[@truckingd8063]

I loaded out of Salinas, 3 pics, then 2 in Bakersfield, had precooled reefer b4 1st 3 pic in Salinas,an maintained temp to last 2 pics. But all skids loaded were hot as in fresh from field to warehouse,no claims on me but no cooling down on dock at all

[@derekvandyke5132]

Do you have a video on how to properly set the trailer and 5th wheel to the proper weight distribution spot

[@georgelewis2775]

Reefer screen door in back is also usually to dry moisture of empty trailer out I thought also used a lot with hauling spuds

[@MrCee-sh8nl]

Thank you for the content. I'm thinking about getting a reefer box truck. Can you please tell me how many hours is too many when purchasing a reefer?

[@Lurker1979]

I have always wanted know the anatomy of a refer.

[@SmartTrucking]

Another reefer video is on the way soon! stay tuned!

[@timoshi119]

Drove reefer for Stevens transport alot of hurry up and wait and 2 or 3 am appointments and tons of sending in reefer temps,fuel gage to DMs

[@AlanAlan-pb9vl]

Yup hauled hanging beef ( now all boxed beef) but NO one had told me should have had the reefer on " continous" to make sure no bacteria would form on the hanging beef. So now driver needs to buy another expensive item. And the co's ussually fail to pay for anything. 4 or 5 ft at back Really? Insulating ability of walls. Maybe that's another reason the seed pototoes froze on the walls. I was the only trailer that wasnt froze. Was very cold in Cdn -40 . So put temp up a few degrees. And yes was on continues. The temp at the wall was too close to freezing. The walls ahould help contain some cold temp or some heat ( in the winter) Back many yrs ago. While sleeping heard reefer trying to start ( learnt to wear ear plugs now even when home) Got trailet into a truck wash. Finally got reffer started. Produce was ok. It was -40 outside. No claim on that load. Now i let reefer run continuous when real cold out. Yup a little more fuel. But less troubles and yes sleep better on continuos too. Dispatch will NOT tell u that. And best to NOT even say anythng. ( they likely want to save " some fuel" BS ) 1 403 830 4124

[@kylemorice4870]

When I was otr I hauled produce I hated it, hauling meat was cool tho especially the national beef loads got to see some killer looking cow trucks in both dodge city and liberal kansas. Excited to go back.

[@SmartTrucking]

Yeah, hear that! There are some cool looking cow trucks out there!

[@trevorfillmore698]

I always preferred thermo king over carrier they were quitter used less fuel and more reliable I found. We just built a new home and I almost kicked the heating and ventilation company off the sight when I came home to find a carrier heat pump at the back of the house but they reassured me the one of the better ones on the market I guess time will tell.

[@paulbadtram748]

The only times I had a trucker run the refri when loading is when he wanted to run the fuel out of the the tank. I was loading dry goods he didn't need the refri. Loading to adjust for the refri. can be a headache. We had a trucker with a huge sleeper. He seemed to lower his max weight it was a pain.

[@JASONHJEFFERSON]

ice cream should be run continuously and dont open up until they are absolutely ready to unload it once ice-cream gets above 0 it starts to get soft

[@jo6520]

Dairy and meat are also hauled fresh!

[@Ididerus]

I've been pulling a refer for a year now and knew almost none of this

[@scottmc2626]

I've hauled "frozen" french fries out of Maine where my reefer was expected to do the freezing. The load pulped at 60 F, so my yellow reefer warning light would be on for half the trip.

[@nathanharrison816]

Set the temperature for what the BOL says.

[@petersisco2499]

I always thought the pre-cooling was so that the aluminum floor would be pre-cooled and that would help with the stabilizing the temperature after you close the doors when you're loaded. I never realized it's just that they think the air stays cool . See what happens when you think 😂

[@surajtruckingvlog6585]

Nice video sar ji 👍

[@SmartTrucking]

Thanks!

[@mrwonderful2081]

Do the shippers tell you what temperature to set you’re reefer to?

[@chosenone101]

Great video! Bulkheads do wonders!

[@kellypenrod2979]

Hi Dave, n Kat!! Your timing is perfect!! I'm back doing otr after getting released to go back to work with limit's, I can't climb ladders, or flatbed anymore. Ended up with a great job pulling a reefer! I've never pulled a reefer before in the 43yrs I've been behind the wheel! But , I got a great run, Oklahoma to the Northwest, all frozen products, a round a week with 2-4 day's off, pays not what I made in the oilfield, but 22-2400 a week take home is doable, good trucks, mine is a Fitzgerald kit, freightliner bubble nose Tupperware truck, but it's set up right ,525 Cummins, 13speed 3:73 rears. So I appreciate this video greatly. on another subject,Dave, has anyone thought about maybe HOW much driver's are really risking their lives, especially us older guys, running in and out of some of these (hot zone) area's?? And the closing of the truckstop facilities(showers) May be making thing's worse? And probably a bunch of other things I'm too tired to think about. anyway, what do you think? Stay safe out there brothers!

[@SmartTrucking]

Good to hear from you Kelly! Be careful out there and welcome back!

[@paceta80]

Awesome video and very beneficial information. What's your thoughts on loads with multiple drops? Is there any quality reefer freight out there that'll eliminate the multiple stops?

[@SmartTrucking]

Not too much anymore. Most guys now do LTL for the money. Produce still pays well in season though out of California.

[@behroozkhaleghirad]

Tnx a lot for educating noobs like me. I am a mechanic and a wanna be trucker, as I can see it is easier to operate flatbed compared to reefer.

[@SmartTrucking]

As long as the load doesn't fall off or get wet!

[@watchman001]

this might be a stupid question but does fifth wheel placement matter with a reefer? for instance if your fifth wheel is all the way forward do you risk crushing the reefer when you couple?

[@HMMELD]

The most temperature-sensitive thing I ever hauled is ice scream. 10 to 20 below - must be pre-cooled - trailer locked-up tight so the trap door can't be opened.

[@ggarcia9534]

Sorry I kno it's off topic but its important but you are very well watched and respected by me and lots of others can you please put something out there for drivers to be cautious.thank you for all your knowledge.keep the rubber side down👍

[@SmartTrucking]

Being cautious is never off topic around here! Thank you for your post and we will pass on it's message! Be safe!

[@clemkaddilehopper4735]

I've had some produce loads . Were talking 30 years ago. Old carrier units and the loads were iced. Had to stop and get more ice blown in because I Always seemed to get them when it was 100 degrees F. I decided that was not my gig. Let the big strappers handle those loads. Never had a claim, but the USDA inspectors had to check it a couple of times. Those guys will make a mess in your trailer, but can save your a _ _ also. It dose take a real Pro to do that job right!!

[@savaven1]

do you calibrate the thermometer? i used to be a cook and you stick it in very ice cold water with ice in it once a week and bring it down to 32 makes me wonder if that should be done with this type as well