Everything You Need to Know About Reefer Trailers

Why is it that so many individuals nowadays seem to be looking at reefers for sale online and in the paper advertisements? Well, part of the reason for that is because they are a tremendous asset to our society and a solid investment. Another reason might be because it is part of their profession. Whatever your reason for being interested in reefer trailers, here is some important information you will definitely need when it comes to reefer trailers:

What is a reefer trailer anyway?

A reefer trailer is a trailer that is a refrigerated unit, and it can be built either directly on the frame of the truck or it can be an independent unit that simply attaches to the truck at various times. The trailer will usually be refrigerated by diesel-power generators and liquid carbon dioxide, also known as CO2. A reefer truck can be as simple as an ice cream truck or as complex as a large container that is attached to an over-the-road (OTR) semi truck going across the United States or the continent.

Of course, you should be aware that reefer trucks are not just used to haul ice cream any longer. Nowadays, you will see reefer trucks hauling such diverse items as medical supplies, plasma, blood, computers, photography equipment, and many other temperature-controlled items.

What is a “reefer” trailer used for?

Ask any truck driving who’s been on the road more than a month, and they will absolutely know what a reefer is. Chances are, they might have even already used one. In trucking, a “reefer” is known as a refrigerated trailer that is primarily used for transporting perishable and other temperature-sensitive goods. It is important for the layman to realize that the interior of many trailers can often get up to 30 degrees hotter than the exterior temperature. Even though there was first a need for refrigerated trailers in the 1920s because of the ice cream industry, the need for reefer trailers exploded into many other areas after the passage of the laws surrounding the founding of the Interstate Highway System in 1956.

Where can you buy a reefer trailer? What should you look for?

When it comes to determining just where to buy a reefer trailer the possibilities can appear to be just about endless. Literally all you have to do is simply search “where to buy a reefer trailer” on Google and all kinds of choices will pop up, both from traditional brick-and-mortar locations and online locations as well. Considering that you have so many options, perhaps what’s more important would be the characteristics of the reefer trailer that you are looking for. First of all, the one thing you want to look out for would be the hours that have been listed on the reefer trailer. Believe it or not, the “hours” listed on the trailer are more important than the year it was produced. For example, it is better to go with a five-year-old reefer trailer with 10,000 hours than a 3-year-old model with 14,000 hours.

There is no question that a reefer trailer can be a useful tool for transporting temperature-sensitive goods. There is no question that this has become a true lifesaver for commerce not only in the United States, but throughout the world as well.