Question:
I recently drove by a parked truck pulling a reefer. I was in my 4 wheeler with the windows up. I was surprised at how LOUD the reefer unit was. This would seem to be a major annoyance to any driver pulling a reefer who is parked and trying to rest, let alone sleep with that thing running just feet from the sleeper.
Am I missing something? It would seem that pulling a dry van would be considerably more comfortable when parked to pulling a reefer. I'm assuming the reefer unit must run 24/7 clicking off and on like a home air conditioner to maintain the desired temperature.

Answer:
You get used to it. If you don't mind it, and don't mind walking, sometimes you can find a parking space next to one late at night.
-JHappy Dwellers Society
Company Driver Division

Answer:
Yes you get used to it, and you would be suprised at how little of it you actually hear inside the bunk if you have the truck sealed up tight.
Answer:
Interesting, thanks for the comments driverj and uturn. I suppose a pair of earplugs might not hurt either. Does the reefer cause much vibration of the tractor while parked (with the tractor not idling)?
I've read a little about the Idleaire system. It sounds like a great solution to idling but doesn't appear to be very widely deployed yet.

Answer:
If the engine on the reefer is properly serviced the only time you feel anything is when it first starts up, and that is for only a few seconds.
Answer:
It depends alot on the reefer. The older the louder ...well im most cases that is true.
We have a lot of old units but also have a few of the new whisper Thermo Kings and those are sure nice. Even on high air flow they are relatively quiet. I hope we buy more of these units.
We also have some units that you can hear while driving 55mph down the freeway with the windows rolled up... that's no lie either.
In either case, I usually wear ear plugs all the time, even while I am driving...I am sure I am breaking some kind of law but the decibel level in day cabs is loud enough with out listening to the reefer howl away while I am stuck in traffic.
David

Answer:
With the difference made up in pay you learn to live with the noise of a reefer
because reefer freight generally pays more than dry box freight. They reefer does'nt tend to bother the owner half as much as the guy parked next to one,i'll look for a flatbed or dry box to park next to, i have been known to get up in the middle of the nght and go find other parking.

Answer:
When I pulled a reefer it didn't take long to get use to it. It became a little strange. If the reefer didn't start up when my mind thought it should I would wake up and check it. As long as it cycled properly I slept like a baby.

Answer:
When you quit running a reefer , you kind of miss the noise for awhile

Answer:
Been pulling reefer for a long time. It is as the others have said. You get used to it. And the newer the unit, the quieter. If you have frozen on, then the unit needs to run almost continuously.
I pull perishable out and non-perishable back. Often on my back-hauls, I will wake up because the unit isn't cycling.
Also, I have had my unit turned off for me by the disgruntled driver parked beside me. I try to park beside other reefers, but can't always.Sometimes you have to dig through a lot horsesh#t to find the pony.