Question:
I'm a Newbie about to start training with a company that pulls REEFERS. What are the best/worst things about pulling REEFERS.

Answer:
Well, they make lots of noise
They break down a lot
They make lots of noise
You get more multi-stop loads
They make lots of noise
They weigh more
They make lots of noise
You have to keep an eye on them all the time
Did I mention that they make lots of noise??
Answer:

Depends on the company and how well they maintain them. Pulled them for 9 months and never had one breakdown on me.
[quote
They make lots of noise [/quote]
The newer ones are very quiet.

Once again depends on the company you work for. There is plenty on truck load freight out there.

The newer light weight trailers do not weigh any more than many of the dry vans made 10 years ago.
If the company you are driving for is using newer reefer units these things pretty much babysit themselves, and most of the checking can be done right from the drivers seat by looking out the mirror.
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Good things about reefers
Greater flexibility in freight hauled as you can also transport dry goods.
Companies often maintain reefer trailers better than vans since a broken down reefer trailer can mean easily damaged freight.
If you go in to someplace that also accepts dry freight, the temp controlled stuff is often unloaded first.
Many times delieveries are early morning so you have a chance of being able to get in and out of larger cities before morning rush hour.
You may wind up with free goodies. Some plants give away samples and sometimes you may have overages or damages that you are instructed to "throw" away.
Lumpers are normally more available at cold storage/grocery warehouses than at dry goods warehouses. If your company will pay for lumpers use them because you will spend all day trying to get it right how a particular dock wants the product unloaded.
Bad things:
Pallet Exchanges. Having to buy and sell pallets because one load you need to bring in pallets and then the next you don't need them.
Making sure that shippers don't put bad product on your trailer. (I.E Load of frozen turkeys that are 1/2 defrosted, or rotten produce, etc.)
Meat and produce markets. These places make your typical grocery warehouse look like paradise. There are several that will charge you a fee just to enter the lot.
Takes longer to fuel. You will fuel your truck and then you will have to pull forward to fill the reefer tank. This can be a real PITA when the guy in front of you decides to take a 20 minute break while still parked in the fuel island.
Answer:
I pulled a reefer for a long time. Other than the fact they make lots of noise. There isn't much to worry about. They do break down like any other mechanical object but most companies run newer ones so it won't be a big worry. Setting the temp at the correct setting is important. The BOL's will haver a temp setting on them. Make sure it is correct. Also make sure you keep the refer fuel tank full. Do not let it run out of fuel or you'll be in a world of hurt. it takes quite a while to get them going again.
Other than setting them right and keepimg an eye on them their not much different than a van. Both go to the same places to deliver alot of the time. I personally like them better than dry vans. Dry vans were way to boring for me.

Answer:
Ditto what uturn, said.
I've pulled Dry Vans(including doubles), Reefers, Hopper-Bottoms, & Rock Buckets & I can Honestly say that I Enjoy Reefers the Most.

Answer:
A few details on the different reefer units out there:
Thermo king has more repair shops, but they tend to break down more (in my experience).
Carriers are more reliable, but have fewer repair shops, and independant reefer repair places don't carry many carrier parts.
If you haul a carrier unit from California eastward on I-80, you'd better not break down. There are no Carrier repair shops anywhere between Sacramento and Salt Lake City!!
Answer:
Since i didn't have time to go indepth earlier I'll try it again now. Guess I'll do it the same way others have.
Better said, they are quieter than the old ones. They are still a heck of alot noisier than a dry van or flat. If the shipper or company wants them set on continuous. Reefer always running. It is alot easier to tolerate at first. There will be a constant engine sound, easier to sleep with. if it needs to be set on stop start. Shutting off each time the correct temp is reached and then restarting with the thermostat it will take a little getting use to, new or old You will get use to it.
And there is alot of of multi pick and multi drop loads. Many companies do both. Somtimes you can make more money with only a small amount of waisted time and effort on multi picks/drops. Most companies pay for all pick ups after the first and all drops except the last. Sometimes it can add up. Some times they will suck.
Not true. A reefer trailer has a reefer unit on the front weighing up to 1000 pounds. It puts the weight right on the trucks drives. You'll need to learn how to correctly load a reefer. It usually can't just go in any old way. They also have a 50 gallon fuel tank on the majority of them not found on dries, another 400 pounds. About 3 inch thick insulated walls, 4 inch or so insulated doors and a 3-4 inch corrugated aluminum floor. You cannot haul loads anywhere near as heavy as a dry van. Produce, frozen and meat plants love to pack it to the max. You'll have to scale out with the majority of them and often times slide the trailer axles to adjust the weight. You'll know what your max will be soon enough for the type of trailers you'll be pulling. Your company will also know your max.
Not exactly true. There are things you will need and have to do other than look out your mirror at the green light on the reefer. FYI, the item you'll be looking out the mirror at is a light unit installed on the left front corner of the trailer. It has lights to tell you if the unit is running, off, defrosting or having a problem. You need to remember what each color light means and what is going on. In addition you need a Pulp Thermometer. I prefere the electronic ones because their easy to read. You'll need to have it calibrated or do it your self to make sure IT has the right temp readings. These thermometers look the same as what is used to stick in meat while cooking. You use them to check the pulp or inner temp of your product by pushing it into the product until the tip is near center. You want to make sure it is constant and relatively near the temp your unit is set at. Your unit may read correctly on the meter but not be cooling the reefer or product correctly or evenly. Often times you'll use it to check product temp when loading and unloading if required.
If you see a need or a problem you may need to have your trailers reefer calibrated also. I have only had to do this twice. Your unit should be keeping the product the same temp in the back of the trailer by the doors as it does in the front. i have no idea how they do it but know it may have to be done.
I wouldn't just assume a green light in the mirror means all is well.
Not real often. most wharehouses have to unloading areas, one for dry and one for temp controlled. They also usually have appointments. No matter what the waiting time to load and unload will be about the same.
Yep, usually so early you dont get enough sleep and often they finish with you just in time for rush hour. A 4am appointment can easily mean a 7-8am release. I use to hate those early appointments. Drive all night to get there around 1am or so only to have to unload at 4am. You dont usually get alot of leeway on temp controlled freight and have to get it there quickly. Lack of sleep with early appointments will happen.
Meaning, you can get some guy working there to give you some thing for free every now and then if you ask nicely and they are in a good mood. They aren't Walmart and don't have a retired person there with a sample tray on their loading docks. Kind of a funny thought actually.
Correctly stated that would be half frozen turkeys. Meat plants and produce packers like to use your reefer to cool or freeze their product. They may get it started but expect your trailer to do the rest of the work in route. Some may even load you while their product is hot or fresh picked and expect you to cool it. It can happen and you may be required to run with it that way. If it is like that be aware that your reefer will be using alot more fuel so keep an eye on it. It is not the right way but is done. You should not be responsible but could end up that way. That is also why you want a pulp thermometer.
I wouldn't just run down the road pulling a reefer like it was a dry van worry free. You need to know whats going on and be aware of your unit all the time.

Answer:
I used to pull reefers,
I can think of a lot more bad than good with a reefer.. The bad:
> Grocery warehouses are a pain in the butt.. they give you a delivery appt time and if your 15 min late they give you the song and dance "you missed your appt, we have to work you in now.." or if your 1 hr. early.. "Gee, we are realy busy today, we are going to have to work you in..."
You'd be suprised how many times I have heard that..
> LUMPERS, need I say more?? they are the biggest bunch of ripp off artists I have ever met..
Wanting $150 - 200 to unload a load of meat.. (I've seen them try!!)
They know most of the time you will use them because you cannot use powered floor jacks any more at receiving docks as they say now you have to be "TRAINED" in their propper use.. SO... no "licence" no powered floor jack, you have to pull those 1500 lb palletts up hill with a manual floor jack or PAY a lumper to do it.. (What does a run off go for with no breakdown?? $50 ??)
> I've spent more time in docks waiting to get unloaded than I can count.. 2,4,6, the record was 8 hrs to get unloaded.. the record to get a load was 3.5 DAYS to pick up a load in Friona, TX at the meat packing plant there.. (seems they had to do a Ecoli inspection on the hamburger I was getting)
> Produce markets like to screw you around.. (Hunts Point.. NO IDLEING YOUR TRUCK even if it is freezing) Plus you have lots of undesireables trying to husstle you or steal your freight, or load locks, or CB,...... You don't get to go to the nicest parts of town in reefers...
> You'll get real good at backing up.. (nice and tight docks)
Shall I go on?? Can't seem to think of why anyone would want to pull one unless you were dedicated or somthing, where you could drop and hook..
I did it for over 8 yrs though so I guess it was sort of an adventure when I started but just got to be a "job"
You'll never go HUNGRY pulling a reefer.. My whole neighborhood made out like a bandit when I came home.. usuall had a LOT of SOMTHING on my truck when I was home.... (Usually CASES and CASES of the stuff) jelly. butter, pies, potatoes, mellons, apples, oranges, chicken......
Enough babbling , I'll let someone else take their shot.. BYE
Answer:
Been a meat hauler for a long time.
Can you say "grocery warehouses"?
Once the trailer is loaded, sealed, and you sign for it - it belongs to you (or your company) if anything goes bad. So you both have a vested interest in keeping the unit in good operating condition. Any problems need to be reported and corrected quickly. Problems invaribly happen on the road in the middle of nowhere, so it behooves you to know where the repair facilities are out there. Thermo King gives out a booklet of every TK location in the U.S.
Keep a close eye on the operation of the reefer unit. Every time you get out of your truck, the first thing you look at is the reefer settings. Driving down the road, you check your signal lights as often as you check for what's behind you. Over a period of time, you will develop a "feeling" that something just isn't right. Stop and check. Indicator lights sometimes burn out. Always check them for operation when picking up the trailer.
Do a manual defrost at least twice a day. Keeps the unit from icing up and not operating properly. It also gives you the opportunity of observe that the lights are working.
Noise - older units can be very loud. You get used to it. I have been at it long enough that when the unit does not kick on, I wake up (when sleeping not driving ). This can be frustrating when back-hauling something that needs no refrigeration. I try to park next to other reefers out of courtesy to fellow drivers.
My small company has a really good deal with the meat packer. We have drop trailers so no loading downtime. Rates, unloading, lumpers, drop pay, detention are all covered pretty good in our contract. However, as a newbie, you likely will have to "pay some dues" before you can get on with an outfit like ours. But, they are out there even for new drivers. Look around.
Even though they are heavier than dry vans, you can still haul a sizable payload. Much of the freight out there will not be that heavy. We are obligated for up to 44 grand and I can always scale it (providing it has been loaded properly). You can always haul dry freight. Anything that will fit in the trailer can be hauled, so they are more versitile than dry vans.
Reefer freight "has to go". It is perishable and has a limited life span. You will have to plan much more carefully but sometimes, you just have to "grab and go'.
I will not go into produce hauling as I have never done it and I think that produce chasers are nuts. Sometimes you have to dig through a lot horsesh#t to find the pony.

Answer:
[quote="Stuffs"]

This is absolutely true. I haul LTL for the most part. Most of my deliveries are either between 7 - 11 PM (Wal-Mart, Publix) or 3 - 10 AM (food distributors, mom and pop stores). Alot of night driving too so if you are one who has trouble sleeping during the day, pulling a reefer might not be for you. The good thing about pulling LTL is that most of my stops only last between 15 - 30 minutes maybe an hour at most compared to hours with truckload. Lumpers are a problem, but I usually don't pay them. I try to use my pallet jack whenever possible. Breaking down pallets and putting them on other pallets is another problem as well. But I really dont come across that all to often. Not saying it happens, but I dont mind the exercise. Again this is LTL not truckload. I could not see myself fingerprinting a full truckload let alone using my pallet jack. And with all trucking, if you miss your appointment, plan to sit for a long time. At most you can do is call your dispatcher and hopefully they can talk it over with the receiver.
But overall I enjoy pulling a reefer. Rarely is there a slow down in freight and if there is well theres always dry freight to haul. Remember people got to eat lol.

Very true! You could be in heaven one moment and then be in hell the next.

Answer:
Better chance of getting loads as you can pull dry freight out of areas you deliver frozen freight to.
New units are QUIETTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT compared to the old rattle boxes.

Answer:
As an Owner Operater of a Reefer....let me clue you in to a few things.
1. Reefer freight pays better
2. You get to have chicken lights.....a lot of them
3. When you go into a place and they don't want to unload you in a timely fashion....you can actually threaten to shut the reefer off...and see what happens...can't do this with a dry van or flatbed. It's a bargaining chip.
4. Lotsa a freebies...from overages to damaged boxes of product...you'll never starve.
5. Chickenlights...lots of them.
6. Genrally pulling a reefer you'll have a faster truck. (If you drive for a company)
sure there are ups and downs about reefers...just as there are about any other type of trailer.

Answer:

Never thought of that before.'Course I pull a company reefer and dispatch probably would go ballistic if I actually tried it...but next time Manuel, Punjab and Habib want to take a "lunch" right in the middle of my unload...well, worth a thought!
Answer:
It will be funny for sure. They open the doors tell you your product is not the right temp and throw you off the property product and all. The others drivers there and the dock workers would get a pretty big kick out of it.

Answer:

Well then they should have unloaded it quicker huh?