What Is a Reefer Trailer?

Visually, from the exterior, a reefer looks exactly like a semi-trailer. 

Actually, a reefer is a semi-trailer with added functionality.

Below, find out more information about reefer trailers. 

Reefers maintain a cool environment around the product

First of all, under the term refrigerated freight fall all the products that require specific temperature ranges during their transportation to avoid their alteration.

Products requiring temperature control during transit are fruits, meat, fish, seafood, vegetables, dairy, and also non-food products such as flowers, pharmaceuticals, etc.

These temperature ranges are set by the customer, which means that the driver has to follow this instruction.

To do that, the driver uses a thermostat that is located outside the trailer to set the reefer continuous or cycle settings.

What does the cooling process look like?

Below, find a short breakdown of how does a reefer trailer work process. 

It's important to understand that the reefer's refrigeration system only maintains a set level of temperature but it doesn't increase or decrease the temperature level inside it.

Because of that, the cargo has to be brought to the desired temperature level before being loaded in the reefer.

Reefers maintain the temperature and humidity inside the trailer during the whole transit time. This entire refrigeration cycle is done by manipulating the inside air.

To create the ideal environmental conditions for the transported products, reefers have multiple sections such as:

• The control unit section:

The control unit allows you to set and adjust the internal environment inside the reefer such as the temperature, the alarm conditions, and in some cases ventilation and humidity levels.

• The interior fans section:

Interior fans located inside the reefer help to circulate the air inside the reefer to promote adequate temperature control and stability. 

With the help of an reefer trailer air chute attached to the trailer's ceiling, the airflow is blown to the back of the trailer and, from there, it circulates under the palletized freight. In this way, the flow of cold air inside the trailer is taken care of.  

• The fresh air vent section:

The fresh air vent allows the air from the outside of the trailer to enter and remove any gasses from the container, such as fruit-ripening ethylene gas.

• The evaporator section:

Excess moisture in a reefer can damage products, quicken food spoilage, and break down packaging, leaving contents vulnerable.

The unit evaporator helps to maintain the moisture inside the container. The reefer unit evaporator can either heat or cool the air that circulates past it from the fan.

• The condenser section:

Condensers may have air or water cooling.

The reefer is powered by a separate reefer fuel source.

Drivers need to ensure there’s enough fuel in the tank, especially on long journeys.

Typically, a full tank will last a few days, depending on the difference between the temperature of the load and the outside temperature.

Also, to avoid any breakdowns of the reefer trailer unit it is recommended to do regular reefer trailer maintenance. 

What are the dimensions of a reefer trailer?

A reefer's inside total cargo space is lesser than the exterior due to the refrigeration equipment taking up some of the room inside the container.