Reefer Trucking

What Is Reefer Trucking?

Reefer trucking is the transportation of temperature-sensitive goods using refrigerated trailers (reefers) equipped with their own cooling units, maintaining a specific temperature range independent of the outside environment.

How Does Reefer Trucking Work?

A reefer trailer has an onboard refrigeration unit, powered separately from the truck's engine, that maintains the cargo compartment at a set temperature throughout the trip. Drivers and dispatchers monitor the unit's fuel level and temperature settings, since a malfunction or fuel shortage can allow temperatures to drift and spoil the cargo.

Why Reefer Trucking Matters

Reefer trucking is essential for the inland legs of cold chain logistics, moving perishable and temperature-sensitive goods from ports, distribution centers, or production facilities to their next destination, and any break in temperature control during this leg can be just as damaging as a break during ocean or storage stages, making continuous condition monitoring especially important.