Key Takeaways:

• The reefer trailer is a specialized freight trailer that features an insulation system with an embedded heating and cooling system known as a reefer unit. The trailer is commonly used to transport products such as food, medicines, and chemicals that require specific temperatures.
• The trailer has the feature of tight temperature control, which usually works from -70° C to 12° C (-94° F to 54° F).
• These trailers are an essential component in the cold chain process, where products are maintained at optimal conditions without spoiling.
• Trailers like this are widely used in transporting temperature-sensitive goods on the highways of North Carolina, and at Tatum & Atikson Law Offices, they often get into truck accidents.

North Carolina Guide to Refrigerated Trucking Safety & Logistics

A reefer trailer, also known as a refrigerated trailer, is a truck trailer that can transport products in refrigeration mode using its cooling/heating device referred to as a ‘reefer unit.’ These types of trailers are crucial in ensuring a favorable environment for carrying temperature-sensitive cargo like drugs.

As attorneys at Tatum & Atikson, we know that explaining truck terminology can be complicated and difficult for victims to comprehend, especially when it relates to a crash involving a truck. Since North Carolina is a state where many trucks and commercial vehicles travel on highways, familiarity with the term “reefer trailer” will help you understand the crash.

What Is a Reefer Trailer?

“Reefer trailer” means a trailer that maintains a consistent temperature for the shipment while in transit from one place to another. If you have ever heard of queries such as “What is a reefer trailer?” or “What is a reefer in trucking, then the answer is…

Refrigerated semis that keep sensitive cargo from being affected by extreme temperatures while being shipped.

Another question that can be asked is, “Why do they call it a reefer trailer? In simple terms, reefer refers to “refrigerated.” It’s an abbreviation in the trucking business that has been in use for many years.

In the trucking business, other terms include:

• Refrigerated truck
• Cold chain truck
• Refrigerated van
• Climate controlled trailers

• Reefer semi truck

As seen in Tatum & Atikson, we have witnessed many accidents involving these types of trucks on highways in North Carolina because of their size and distance requirements.

How Does a Refrigerated Trailer Work? 

The working principle of a reefer trailer involves the use of an active cooling mechanism within the trailer.

The procedure is explained below:

• Diesel engines are used to provide power for the refrigeration equipment.
• Compressors are used to move refrigerants.
• Evaporator coils are used to disperse hot or cold air within the trailer.
• Fans are used to ensure proper air circulation in the trailer.

The advantage is that the temperature settings will be accurate no matter what the weather is outside in North Carolina, whether it is hot in summer or cold in winter.

Most of the modern refrigerators have a feature of reefer trailer temperature monitoring.

How Cold Will a Reefer Trailer Get?

The temperature control trailer capability is one of the key features of the refrigerated truck container.

The temperature range usually lies between: 

• −70°C to 12°C (−94°F to 54°F)

The variety makes it possible for one refrigerated trailer truck to haul various products without any problem.

There are instances when special trailers, like ice transport trailers or ultra-chilled refrigerators, are utilized when hauling deep-frozen or fragile products.

Maintaining the correct temperature is important because slight changes in temperature could result in:

• Contamination of food
• Failure of pharmaceutical products
• Loss of money
• Road accidents

What Are Reefer Trailers Used For?

To the client, we have had to explain on many occasions that the reefer trailers form the heart of today’s logistics. They help ensure the safe arrival of all perishable cargo to the point of delivery. It is particularly important for North Carolina, where the trailers help out in agriculture, healthcare, and retail logistics.

Perishable Foods

Refrigerated trucks, or reefers, are generally used for carrying perishable foods that have to be transported fresh during the journey, such as

• Meat products
• Poultry products
• Milk products
• Fruits and vegetables

Pharmaceuticals

Another application for reefers trucking is carrying medicines, which need strict control of temperature so as not to lose their effectiveness. These include:

• Vaccines
• Medicines
• Other medical supplies that need strict temperature control

Other Sensitive Goods

Reefer trailers are vital in moving non-food cargo that requires temperature control or is susceptible to environmental changes, such as

• Flowers and plants
• Chemicals
• Some dangerous goods

Retail and Supermarket Supply Chains

Reefer trailers are integral in the movement of products that need to be kept cool or frozen when supplied to supermarkets and grocery stores. Temperature-controlled logistics allow distribution centers to deliver products quickly and safely throughout North Carolina.

Event Catering and Food Service Distribution

Another common type of trailer used in the food service industry is a reefer trailers, which is used for transporting large amounts of food supplies. This allows the catering firms to make sure that their orders arrive in proper condition.

Contact a truck accident lawyer at  (800) 529-0804 for your complimentary consultation.

Key Components of a Reefer Trailer

The above-mentioned structural/mechanical components have a role in maintaining the temperature stable in a normal reefer semi trailer while shipping products:

• Diesel motor for the cooling system
• Cooling pump
• Cooling coils
• Thick insulation in the trailer’s walls (prevents heat intrusion from outside)
• Air conditioning fans

All the above components work together to ensure temperature stability inside the trailer.

Size, Weight, and Dimensions of Reefer Trailers in North Carolina

Reefer trailers are big commercial vehicles, and the size of these vehicles is one of the most important aspects in terms of ensuring road safety in North Carolina. The length and weight of these trucks affect their handling, braking, and impact during accidents.

Standard Reefer Trailer Length

The lengths of reefer trailers vary and normally are between 48 and 53 feet. Reefer trailers are considered some of the largest commercial vehicles because of the amount of cargo they can carry.

How Wide Is a Reefer Trailer?

The typical reefer trailer measures about 8.5 feet wide. Federal laws regulate the width to guarantee safety when traveling on interstate roads and highway trucking operations within North Carolina.

How Tall Is a Reefer Trailer?

A regular reefer trailer ranges from 13 to 14 feet tall. Such dimensions ensure that the trailer can maximize its capacity while adhering to the limits of road clearance.

How Much Does a Reefer Trailer Weigh

Federal bridge law specifies the gross vehicle weight capacity that depends on computing the axle weight rating. The individual axle weight ratings include 20,000 pounds for one axle and 38,000 pounds for tandem axles.

While reefer trailer weight may be either high or low, depending on its load capacity,

• The weight of an empty reefer trailer may be thousands of pounds.
• The weight of a loaded reefer trailer changes depending on the cargo carried.

Due to the heavy weight of the reefer, the braking distance is longer, increasing the possibility of severe crashes in cases of accidents.

Safety Impact on North Carolina Roads

Given that these trucks tend to be large and heavy, the possibility of accidents leading to dire repercussions is quite real when it comes to reefer semi trucks traveling in North Carolina.

What is Reefer Trucking in North Carolina

To get more insight into this type of business, one might pose the question, “What is a reefer truck?”

Reefer trucking is widespread because of the state’s advanced highway systems, particularly those on Interstate highways like I-40, I-85, and I-95.

In instances when Tatum & Atikson is involved in trucker cases, reefer trucks are frequently encountered in cases that include the following:

• Driver fatigue due to long drives
• Malfunctions in refrigeration machinery
• Overloading or imbalanced loads
• Highway traffic congestion and speed discrepancies

Knowing about reefer trucks can help us understand why such trucks need more care on highways.

How Long Will a Reefer Trailer Run?

One question that comes up often is “How long can a reefer trailer run?” The longest possible running time of a refrigerated truck.

Well, that depends on the fuel efficiency and the type of system used. But broadly speaking:

• Running for many hours without stopping is possible.
• Shutting down the engine and plugging into power during downtime conserves fuel.

This kind of flexibility is important for cross-state shipping using refrigeration trailers.

Why the Cold Chain Matters

Reefer-type trailers are crucial to the cold chain, ensuring that the items maintain their desired temperatures during transportation.

In case there is no cold chain:

• The food will expire
• The medication will be made ineffective
• Everything will be ruined

This is exactly why reefer trailers are extremely necessary, not just advantageous.

When Reefer Trucks Cause Serious Accidents, We’re Here to Help

At Tatum & Atikson, we know that trucks such as reefer trailers have an indispensable function in our everyday life here in North Carolina. But we also know that these trucks present a significant threat to everyone who uses the roads because of their size, heavy weight, and long-distance travel.

By having knowledge about what a reefer trailer is, you can easily comprehend why and how trucking accidents take place along our highways.

These accidents can have a great effect on both the victims and their families. Here at Tatum & Atikson, we strive to assist any injured individual with their legal process. If you or anyone close to you was injured during a trucking accident, then please feel free to schedule a free consultation today by calling (800) 529-0804.

Frequently Asked Questions About Reefer Trailers in North Carolina!

What is the difference between a trailer and a reefer container?

In comparison, the trailer is just a transport unit that is capable of moving any kind of goods; however, the reefer is an insulated unit meant to ensure that the temperature of the items inside is preserved.

Is a reefer trailer the same as a refrigerated trailer?

Yes. A reefer trailer is the same as a refrigerated trailer, both describing a trailer that is designed to control temperature during the transportation of temperature-sensitive cargo.

Can a reefer trailer operate while the truck is turned off?

Yes. The reefer trailer will be able to keep working even if the truck’s engine is switched off due to having its own diesel-powered cooling system. Some also have an electric cooling option that can be plugged into power when stopped.

What happens if a reefer trailer loses temperature control during transport?

In case of inadequate temperature control measures, goods may be rendered spoiled, contaminated, or economically useless. The consequences may range from filing of insurance claims to rejection of shipment or even recalling of goods, especially when dealing with perishables transported through North Carolina.

Are reefer trailers more dangerous than regular trucks on highways?

There is nothing that makes reefer trailers more dangerous, but some aspects can make reefer trailers more dangerous because of the following:

• Heavy cargo loads
• High hours of driving
• The use of mechanical refrigeration units
• Traversing interstate highways in North Carolina

All of which may increase accident hazards.