Transporting perishable goods in or from a warm area, like Texas for example, is a recipe for disaster. No matter how much money you anticipate saving by shipping perishable items with non-perishable items, it isn't worth ruining your goods.
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Warm weather presents logistical challenges for transporting perishables from a place like Texas, but you can easily avoid these challenges by using refrigerated trucking services. A refrigerated freight ensures that your shipment won't spoil before it arrives at its eventual destination. Two different shipments might seem like a high cost, but in reality, your goods will be better protected and last longer, saving you more money in the long run.
Below, our experts at Cowtown Logistics Freight Management will discuss what refrigerated trucking is, how it'll benefit your business, and why its importance shouldn't be underestimated.
What is a refrigerated trailer? A refrigerated truck or trailer, also known as a reefer, is a freight shipping container specifically designed to transport foods, pharmaceuticals, and other products that require a temperature-controlled environment. The trailer has a built-in refrigeration system to prevent the goods from spoiling.
Reefer transportation must be done by professional transportation service providers to ensure a properly climate-controlled environment, as well as high-quality treatment of the shipment. These trucks have the most advanced technology and can be carefully adjusted for each shipment and its temperature needs. Regardless of the outdoor weather conditions, these trucks keep shipments safe.
Most often, refrigerated trucks are used for shipping perishables, specifically frozen foods and similar products. However, there are a number of other perishable items that require a humidity and temperature-controlled environment. Below are examples of common perishable food and products that require refrigerated trucks:
Not every product has its own temperature requirements, so there are a few basic humidity and temperature settings that are commonly used for keeping food shipments fresh.
Below are the three conditions that are generally required when shipping perishable food and products:
More specific guidelines for shipping refrigerated food and produce:
Knowing how to properly package your perishable food items is an essential part of perishable goods logistics. Knowing the proper packaging materials, whether that be something as simple to handle as bubble wrap or more difficult like dry ice, will help protect products during transit. We've outlined a list of some common packaging materials used when shipping perishable products.
Refrigerated has a number of benefits for those who require safe, temperature-controlled transportation, including:
The demand for fresh produce, meat, seafood, and dairy products continues to grow. Refrigerated trucking is required to safely supply these goods across the country where they're in demand.
Another benefit of reefer trucks is the number of items that can utilize the service. There's a wide range of products that require and rely on climate-controlled transportation, not just perishable foods. This can include precious art, chemicals, plants, meat, fruits, vegetables, personal care products, dairy, seafood, and pharmaceuticals.
The biggest benefit of refrigerated cargo transportation is the protection it provides for the perishable goods being shipped. These trailers are equipped with the capability to protect from deterioration, spoilage, and loss of value, no matter the weather conditions.
The controlled temperature environment in refrigerated trucks helps extend the shelf life of products, reducing the risk of spoilage or waste. Additionally, by maximizing the shelf life of products, businesses can achieve better inventory management, minimize the need for frequent restocking, and ultimately improve overall supply chain efficiency.
There are many rules and regulations surrounding the shipment of perishable foods, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products. Professional refrigerated trucking services are in compliance with these regulations and are reliable to maintain safe operations.
Modern refrigerated trucks utilize advanced technologies that reduce emissions and ensure energy efficiency, contributing to sustainable transportation practices. These trucks are designed to minimize their carbon footprint, making them an eco-friendly choice for transporting temperature-sensitive goods.
Reefer containers, also known as refrigerated containers, are specialized shipping containers designed to transport temperature-sensitive cargo. These containers have built-in refrigeration systems that maintain the desired temperature throughout the transportation process. Reefer units are commonly used in the transportation industry, particularly in reefer trucks and units, to ensure the freshness and quality of perishable goods during transit.
Refrigerated and reefer containers serve the same purpose of controlling temperatures during shipments. The term "refrigerated container" is a general term that refers to containers equipped with temperature control capabilities. On the other hand, "reefer container" specifically refers to containers with integrated refrigeration units for precise temperature management. Let's take a look at what sets them apart.
While regular shipping containers are passively insulated, refrigerated containers have active cooling units. Reefer containers have built-in refrigeration systems with components like compressors and evaporators that form a refrigeration cycle to remove heat. This reefer unit lets commodities requiring temperature control be shipped internationally. Refrigerated containers precisely regulate conditions inside to ensure the integrity of perishable goods during reefer truck, rail, or ocean transport.
Standard shipping containers are unpowered passive boxes. However, refrigerated or reefer containers have active electromechanical cooling systems that need power to maintain precise temperature control. Reefers plug into external power on ships, trucks, or in ports. Some also have diesel generator sets or batteries allowing temperature regulation when stationary power is unavailable. This integrated power source makes reefers ideal for temperature-controlled shipping of perishables across cold chain logistics.
Regular shipping containers are relatively inexpensive standardized boxes, but refrigerated or reefer containers have complex cooling systems that require a higher upfront investment. The reefer box, cooling unit, power source, and monitoring equipment make reefers far more expensive than dry containers. In addition, operational costs like fuel and repairs are higher for reefers. However, the premium paid for these temperature-controlled containers allows safe global shipping of temperature-sensitive products.
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Refrigerated containers are versatile and can rely on an external cooling source, such as the power supply from the shipping vessel or dockside power. On the other hand, reefer containers have their own set of refrigeration units that allow them to offer precise temperature control for sensitive cargo. This makes reefer containers ideal for reefer shipments that need specific temperature conditions throughout the journey.
Refrigerated containers typically have a larger cargo capacity as they can accommodate a variety of goods, including both refrigerated and dry items. Reefer containers, however, have a reduced cargo capacity due to the space that their built-in refrigeration units occupy.
Reefer containers, with their specialized refrigeration units, may have limited availability compared to standard refrigerated containers. This is due to their specific design and requirements. As a result, the availability of reefer containers for certain shipping routes or commodities may be more limited. Be sure to consider the availability factor when planning logistics for temperature-sensitive shipments.
Refrigerated trucking is an essential and valuable transportation solution for businesses that deal with perishable goods. The benefits it offers, such as temperature control, product freshness, extended shelf life, and sustainability, make it a crucial part of the supply chain.
Keeping precious goods cold has been a challenge for many a lifetime. Often times, once a product is cooled or frozen to the desired temperature, it must stay at that temperature. It’s a wonder anything ever got delivered cold in the early days of chilled delivery. Ice melts, and styrofoam can only keep things cold inside for so long.
The refrigerated truck has been an industry game changer for obvious reasons. Its ability to be a refrigerator renders it the perfect fit for just about anyone looking to deliver products that are temperature dependent.
However, there are a couple things you will definitely want to know before getting one of these trailblazers. Let’s get some cold facts about refrigerated trucks and vans and how to choose the right one for your application.
Take a refrigerator and put it in the bed of your truck. Easy as that right? Not even close. 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. These systems use the vehicle’s factory components to generate the electricity needed for refrigerated delivery.
Not all fridges and freezers are the same. While some can store 3 full-sized elks, others just hold a popsicle and six-pack. The same is essentially true when it comes to refer trucks. Whatever your needs and limitations, there is a temperature-controlled vehicle made to suit your delivery needs.
Having sufficient room to store frozen goods is necessary for both growing businesses or those making wholesale deliveries. However, too much room can prove to be less efficient and more work-intensive in certain locations, like narrow city streets or low-ceilinged parking garages. Operating environment and storage needs are important things to consider when choosing the right rig for you.
Large vehicles like box freezer/refrigerator trucks offer enough room to deliver all day long. However, deliveries can’t happen if your truck can’t get out of the parking garage.
Oversized height, length, and width can prove problematic in some situations. Luckily, we offer several models that provide loads of storage while being contained in a standard-sized van or truck.
Though these vehicles might not be suited for larger industrial-sized deliveries, they function excellently for those with smaller product quantities and size limitations to consider.
Featuring side-access doors for easy entry, these refrigerated vehicles can make deliveries a breeze.
One possible issue you may run into when finding a refrigerated truck or van is the price. However, there are affordable options out there:
Rather than buying a pre-fab, consider a more customized truck that fits your specific needs of size and space. There are tons of fleet vehicles that are great for your price range.
You also might consider outfitting a vehicle for a particular degree of refrigeration. If you have a box truck or van in mind that you would like to use for your business, take a look at how much it would cost to add a fridge system to it.
It may turn out to be a cheaper and more efficient option than buying a rig overly excessive for your needs.
Not all delivery situations have such limitations and call for smaller vehicle size. For wholesale jobs, the possibilities really open up. If you are delivering large quantities, there are several types of box trucks that can be put to work in the frozen-goods field.
From cab-over box trucks to flat-bed-truck style conversions, there’s a body-style that will fit both your storage needs and size limitations. Depending on how specialized your application, there is always the option to custom outfit a unit specific to your delivery needs. Contact us to request your custom quote today!
Whatever the job is, there’s a temperature-controlled unit to fit your needs, no matter how much your business grows. Whether you specialize in flowers or gelato, we’ll find a unit that suits your needs.
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