FreightMonster Refrigerated Trucking Solutions
Temperature controlled trailers are the most common option for delivering perishable goods.
Temperature controlled trailers are often called refrigerated vans or reefers. They have a large climate control unit mounted on the front of the trailer. This unit has its own fuel supply for power to the climate control. Trailers use partitions for zoned temperature control.
Our experienced team understands the needs and requirements of temperature controlled (or cold chain) freight transportation. Temperature control means freeze protection as well as keeping cool.
CALL US DIRECT (877) 419-5523
Frozen products Produce Manufactured food products Chocolate, Nuts Plants, Trees, Flowers Beer, wine, and other liquids
Liquid chemicals Hazardous materials Medical and health related products Pharmaceuticals
Temperature controlled trucking has more variables than you might think.
We have moved thousands of these loads since we started over 20 years ago and will guide you to the best freight options for your product.
Lumper Fees
Lumpers provide a service loading and unloading trucks at the dock, especially important for produce that would suffer loss of quality if not transferred quickly to warehouse temperature controlled spaces. Generally, they are third party contract labor provided by the shipping/receiving party. The driver checks in at the shipper/receiver desk and is assigned a door and lumper. While unloading, lumpers will “break down” or segregate the product according to the warehouse’s storage needs.
Normally the lumper fee is paid by the trucker on the spot, and then reimbursed. In some cases, the driver must be prepared to load/unload the truck or to negotiate the lumper fee.
Case Count
Drivers need to be sure the case count is correct and may double check so the bill of lading is correct for delivery.
Product Expiration Dates
Everyone, including drivers, need to understand the expiration code dates for products being transported.
Quality control
Drivers may check the product itself to make sure it is in good condition before they accept the load and again upon delivery. The product should already be at maintenance temperature when loaded since these trailers are intended to maintain, not reduce, the cargo temperature during transport.
Pallets
Some warehouses and shippers require that the carrier bring pallets to exchange when the load is picked up.
Temperature Updates
Shippers may want automatic temperature updates during transit by text or email to ensure their product is maintained within the temperature range required. Some products must be transported within a specific range of relative humidity as well as temperature.
Clean Trailers
Trailers must be clean and follow best practices for sanitary transportation and clean-up between loads. This prevents cross-contamination. The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) provides guidelines for human and animal food.
Trailer Sizes
Standard trailers are 48′ or 53′. A high cube trailer allows product or pallets to stack higher in the trailer depending on product weight.
See more details about refrigerated trailers.
Seals
Many shippers seal the trailer so the cargo isn’t tampered with or stolen. No one has access to your freight after the seal is attached.
“. . . seals can help to detect theft or contamination, either accidental or deliberate. Security seals are commonly used to secure truck trailers . . . providing tamper evidence of intrusion into sensitive spaces.” –Wikipedia, security seals
