Can you haul dry goods in a reefer truck?

The answer to that question is yes, of course. Dry cargo carriers often don't remember that they can make good use of refrigerated trailers to ship their products. If cargo is moved to active markets for transporting agricultural products, carriers can save 6 to 17% on their cargo shipments. Moisture build-up is also a problem in refrigerators, but if they are used for dry loads, if the trailer's air conditioner is turned on before loading them, the condensation will dry out.

Learn what supply chain network optimization really means, what it can optimize, how consultants can help, and tips for taking a data-driven approach. A “downloadable refrigerator” only means that the carrier has the ability to download temperature data from the trailer. Some refrigerated trailers have sophisticated functions, such as zones that allow you to set different temperatures in different parts of the trailer. Investing in a refrigerated trailer and then using it to transport dry cargo in bulk will be cost-effective, instead of going through the process of converting a dry van to a refrigerated one.

Direct routes are the transportation of cargo along a route in one direction in large volumes relative to the number of round trips. In addition, products loaded on the floor are not suitable for refrigerated transport, since the rigid metal coating of the trailer floor can cause crevices in the cargo. The air ducts of a refrigerated trailer (also known as trailer ducts or trailers with hoppers) are flexible air ducts connected to the cooling unit that run through the top of the trailer. The refrigerated truck has several parts, including an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor and the refrigerator motor connected to the trailer that operates the HVAC system. Although insulated or ventilated dry vans are more suitable for converting refrigerators, the main obstacle they present is the addition of a refrigerated unit and the replacement of the plywood interior.

Cost-savings opportunities will increase if you can be flexible enough to consider using a refrigerator to ship your dry goods. If you're interested in buying a dry-load or refrigerated trailer, people who buy Mickey Genuine Parts often have several used trailers in stock.

The question of whether it's better to use a dry van or a refrigerated van depends largely on the lanes you're working on and the type of cargo you're carrying.

But why are there so many more dry vans than refrigerated trucks? Here's what you need to know and how to decide if a refrigerated van or a dry van is best for your transportation company. Refrigerated vehicle trails are not designed for long-distance travel, as the average trailer has a 10-year lifecycle, with an average of 3500 operating hours per year, equivalent to a total of 35,000 hours.