The refrigerated, or reefer, trucking industry within America and Canada is expected to reach 12 billion before 2025. Reefer trailers are responsible for the transportation of countless goods that keep the country running. Consequently, reefer truck drivers play an essential role in a prosperous economy. Read on to learn key reefer trailer facts and the nuances of refrigerated trucking and its impact on the nation overall.
What is refrigerated trucking? What is a reefer trailer?
Refrigerated trucking is a type of commercial trucking that specifically applies to the transportation of cargo that is temperature-sensitive. While it can include perishable foods, it can also involve the transportation of pharmaceuticals and other items.
The term reefer is a nickname or way to describe a refrigerated rig that is used to transport this temperature-sensitive cargo.
This nickname comes from years ago when refrigerated cargo was shipped to large refrigerated warehouses called reefers. These warehouses of old were designed to ship and store perishable items, and they likely got their name from the large blocks of ice that were utilized to keep food cool. Today, the term applies to various types of commercial refrigerated trailers or trucks and is often synonymous with the transportation of temperature-sensitive cargo of many types.
Why is refrigerated truck driving important?
Some cargo, such as types of products, goods, clothing, and more, can be transported without a great deal of care in terms of temperature extremes. However, when it comes to cargo that needs to be frozen or at least kept cool, improper transportation of these goods can ruin them or make them dangerous for consumption or use later on. Therefore, this type of specialized trucking is necessary to ensure that frozen or temperature-sensitive goods are kept safe and arrive at their destination in usable condition.
Types of Goods Transported via Reefer Trailers
While the first thought when considering reefer driving might be the transportation of products that must be kept cold, there are a host of products that fall into this category and require a specific temperature throughout transportation to remain in optimal condition. The following are just a few of the many types of goods that you might be transported via a reefer truck:
- Pharmaceuticals: Often, this includes medication that must be kept at a certain temperature, or it will become unusable or even dangerous.
- Produce: Vegetables, fruits, and other forms of produce all need special attention in the transportation process to stay fresh and usable.
- Dairy, meat, seafood: We all know what happens if these items thaw out. They are no longer edible or safe for consumption.
- Chemicals: This includes cleaning chemicals, weed killers, hazardous materials, etc., which do not need to be overheated.
- Cosmetics: Something that isn’t often considered are cosmetics like lipsticks, creams, or lotion that will ruin it if they get too hot.
- Electronics: More than just edible goods, reefers can also be used to transport tablets, computers, and TVs to ensure they maintain a safe temperature.
- Musical instruments, antiques, fine art: Other important items that are often transported via reefers are fine art, antiques, and musical instruments. These items are all sensitive to temperature and even humidity, so they demand specialized care to be transported safely.
- Houseplants, flowers, etc.: Although many plants can withstand warmer temperatures, they are sometimes too sensitive to endure such a trip and need more temperature-sensitive transportation.
- Other temperature-sensitive products: Candles, gum, paint, etc., all need special attention when it comes to transportation.
Reefer Trucking FDA Regulations and Oversight
Because reefer trucking involves the transportation of edible goods, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) oversees aspects of the industry. As a result, the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011 (FSMA) was established to oversee the food and safety regulations necessary to reduce the risks of foodborne illnesses. Many of these regulations ensure that carriers follow specific guidelines related to food transportation through the FSMA and the Sanitary Transportation Rule. These requirements include the following categories:
- Transportation and Vehicle Equipment: Trailers have to be capable of transporting food without spoiling. It also includes aspects of keeping the trailer or truck cleaned a certain way to avoid cross-contamination.
- Training: All carriers must complete a certain level of training and have the subsequent documentation to show they have the necessary skills and qualifications needed to haul refrigerated loads.
- Transportation Operations: This includes other measures to prevent contamination, including maintaining the right temperatures and other factors.
Good Qualities of a Reefer Truck Driver
While many commercial truck drivers can handle various types of products and the transportation of goods across the nation, not all of them fit the characteristics of a good reefer driver. If you think you might be a good fit for this specialized field, consider the following qualities that any good reefer driver should possess:
- Flexibility: When hauling temperature-sensitive cargo, you might have to be more flexible than when hauling less sensitive cargo. Plans or routes might have to be changed at the last minute to account for accidents or weather and flexibility in schedule is a requirement.
- Success: Becoming a reefer driver is a way to advance your commercial truck driving career. This fast-paced subspeciality of the trucking industry gives a standard commercial driver a boost, career-wise. The average reefer-trained driver can make around $29 hourly, which is more than standard commercial truck driving, with plenty of room for advancement due to demands in this field.
- Assertive: As a reefer driver, you must ensure your cargo is loaded or handled properly. As a result, you will sometimes demand a bit of assertiveness. Therefore, to be a good reefer driver, you have to be willing to speak up to see that things are done properly.
- Attentiveness: Your cargo load as a reefer driver is precious or perishable, meaning that you must pay attention to every load, how it is positioned even, as well as keeping it in pristine condition, namely the right temperature. Therefore, being a reefer driver takes more than just jumping in the cockpit of a truck and hauling cargo to the next location. It requires immense attention to detail and knowledge of proper handling of whatever is being transported.
- Enjoy Working as a Team: As a reefer driver, you will inevitably build good relationships with those you work with, from other reefer drivers to dispatchers and trainers. You will be part of a large family if you choose to become a reefer driver.
- High Demand: If you are a professional driver who likes to stay busy, then refrigerated driving could be the career for you as this type of transportation is year-round. While some involve transporting fruits or vegetables that are in season or out of season, there are also other types of cargo, like frozen goods, pharmaceuticals, and dairy products, that are needed year-round. Therefore, your skills will also be in demand.
Find Reefer Trucking Jobs
Your commercial trucking career is a critical component to ensure that America keeps moving via the trucking industry! Contact us to learn more about refrigerated trucking companies or apply for reefer trucking jobs on CDLjobs.com.
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