Fridge Trailers
Staying cool on the road
A refrigerated trailer provides the temperature-controlled environment needed to transport everything from perishable foods to medical supplies. They come in 2 main types: chiller trailers and freezer trailers. Chiller trailers are designed to keep goods cold, much like a standard household refrigerator, and are ideal for transporting items that need to be kept cool but not frozen. Freezer trailers, on the other hand, are equipped with far more powerful compressors, allowing them to maintain significantly lower temperatures and ensuring that goods remain frozen in transit.
At X2 (UK), we operate an extensive nationwide partner network including those with a wide range of modern refrigerated trailers that cater to diverse demands. These include advanced multi-compartment temperature-controlled trailers that allow the transportation of assorted goods at varied temperatures within a single shipment.
With refrigerated transportation a little more complex than standard haulage, some common questions people ask about fridge trailers include:
How many gallons of diesel does a refrigerated trailer use?
Refrigerated units typically consume between 0.4 to 1.1 gallons of diesel per hour, depending on the specific model and operating conditions. With a 50-gallon fuel tank, a reefer trailer can typically run for about 25 to 50 hours.
What are the disadvantages of reefer trailers?
Refrigerated shipping, also known as reefer shipping, comes with its own set of challenges. Firstly, loading a refrigerated LTL (Less Than Truckload) can be tricky. Unless you’re using a multi-compartment unit, you need to make sure the products being transported are within the same temperature range, headed to the same destination, and following the same schedule. Additionally, the availability of reefer trucks is generally lower compared to dry van trailers. This can often make it hard to find one when you need it.
Other disadvantages include:
- Additional maintenance of the motor and equipment
- Higher fuel consumption due to the additional motor and equipment
- If there is a malfunction or the temperature is not correct, this can risk losing the load
- They can be quite loud due to the motor that is running to regulate the temperature
What size are fridge trailers?
While they come in different sizes, a typical refrigerated trailer measures 13.6 metres in length with a height ranging from 4 to 4.2 metres. They normally feature 3 axles and come with either a single or multi-temperature refrigeration unit.
Are refrigerated trailers insulated?
Yes. In addition to a reefer truck’s compressors, condensers and evaporators, extensive insulation is provided to help keep the internal temperature stable during transit.
What temperature should a fridge trailer be set at?
The temperature settings of trailers depend on the type of cargo being transported. Freezer trailers can be typically set anywhere between -20°C to +10°C, while chiller trailers generally operate within the +2°C to +10°C range.
How many hours is a reefer good for?
Reefer trailers are typically built to last around 40,000 hours of use, which translates to about 8 years of service on the road. This estimate assumes an average of 4,000 to 5,000 hours of usage per year. If you keep the annual usage under 4,000 hours, however, you can significantly extend the trailer’s lifespan.
How much weight can a refrigerated trailer hold?
A standard reefer trailer has a tare weight of around 5,650 kg, including the tyres and wheels, with the refrigeration unit adding roughly another 900 kg. The gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) for a reefer trailer is approximately 30,000 kg, while the standard payload capacity is roughly 25,000 kg.
What would a reefer trailer typically carry?
They are used to transport a wide variety of temperature-sensitive perishable goods. This can range from cooled items such as fruit, vegetables and pharmaceuticals to frozen goods like ice cream and frozen meals.
To find out more about refrigerated transport services and how X2 (UK) can keep your logistics operation completely cool, you can contact us here.