Temperature-Controlled Freight: Beyond Basic Reefer Shipping

Temperature-controlled freight is more complex than booking a reefer truck. Specifying the right temperature range, verifying carrier compliance, and managing transit time all affect whether your product arrives in sellable condition.

Temperature Ranges and What They Mean

Fresh/chilled (34°F–40°F): fresh produce, dairy, deli meats. Near-freeze (28°F–34°F): fresh meat, seafood, cut flowers. Frozen (0°F to -10°F): frozen foods, ice cream. Deep freeze (below -10°F): pharmaceuticals, specialty products. Specify the exact range — not just 'refrigerated' — to ensure the carrier sets the unit correctly.

Continuous vs Cycle/Sentry Mode

Continuous mode runs the reefer engine constantly for precise temperature — required for frozen and pharmaceutical freight. Cycle/sentry mode runs only when temperature drifts outside the setpoint, saving fuel but allowing slightly more variation — acceptable for most fresh produce and dairy.

Pre-Cooling Requirements

A reefer trailer must be pre-cooled to the specified temperature before loading. Loading warm freight into a cold trailer creates warm spots and uneven temperature distribution. Standard pre-cool time is 2 hours — build this into your pickup scheduling.

Temperature Monitoring

For FDA-regulated food and pharmaceutical freight, a continuous temperature data logger is required, providing a time-stamped record of trailer temperature throughout transit. This documentation is essential for food safety compliance and insurance claims.