3 Refrigerated Trucking Tips You Should Know
If you’re a refrigerated trucker and thinking about running reefers this season, it’s a great time to make money in the freight industry.
A successful year for your reefer business is dependent on more than just getting it where it needs to be on time and safely. There are things you can do in advance to keep your operating costs down, make sure you have plenty of refrigeration in your vehicle(s), and keep your drivers happy with great bonuses and benefits.
That's why we have put together a checklist of 3 refrigerated trucking tips that we hope will help make this a fruitful season for your company.
Refrigerated Trucking Tips: 3 Best Practices
1. Monitor Temperatures
Monitoring the temperature of your reefer truck is an essential part of making sure you are not losing product. You want to make sure that your drivers are able to maintain their coolers at or below 41 degrees Fahrenheit. If they can do this, then they will be able to keep the perishable goods fresh and safe for consumption when they arrive at their destination. Throughout the day, your drivers will be responsible for monitoring temperatures in their trucks. This is to make sure that they are staying within the appropriate range and that there is no damage being done to the products inside. If you notice a problem, contact your carrier immediately and have them fix it before continuing with your shipment.
Our refrigeration units need to be monitored at all times. This can be done through a variety of methods, including temperature gauges, GPS tracking systems, and even through the use of smartphones. Monitoring your temperatures will allow you to identify any potential issues before they become problems that could cost you money
2. Prepare the Trailer for Proper Sanitation
In addition to monitoring the temperature of your refrigeration unit, it’s also important to ensure that your trailer is properly sanitized. This will help prevent any potential issues with bacterial growth and can reduce the risk of contamination in the meat products you are transporting.
If you are shipping food, it is important to clean the inside and outside of your trailer, removing any dirt or debris from all surfaces so that things do not get mixed in with your products during transit.
There are many things that you should do to prepare your trailer for proper sanitation. First, make sure that it’s clean and dry before loading any shipments. Next, make sure that all of the containers have been properly cleaned so that there is no residual oil or food left on them when they are being packed up in preparation for transport. This also includes cleaning the walls and floors of dirt, debris, or any other potentially harmful substances. You should also clean all of the shelves and racks that will be used for transporting your products so that no bacteria or viruses can get inside them while they are being moved.
3. Regular Maintainance
You should also regularly maintain your trailer to ensure that it is in good working order. This can include checking the tires and axles for cracks or other damage, as well as inspecting all lights and making sure that they work properly.
Wrapping Up
Whether it is for food or other perishable items, refrigerated trucking plays a significant role in the American transportation system. Purchasing an appropriate trailer for your needs is just as important as these refrigerated trucking tips in terms of maintaining your fleet or vehicle. Hopefully, these will be beneficial to your business in the long run.