How do I check the refrigeration units on a reefer trucking company’s trailers?

Treat the refrigeration unit as a separate machine bolted to the trailer. Ask for a list matching each trailer to its unit, with make, model and run-hours, and note which units are nearing a major overhaul. Ask who services them and request those invoices. A unit with regular records is easier to trust than one with a gap.

Ask for temperature logs or the downloaded data from recent loads. Look for loads where temperature drifted, and ask what happened and whether a claim followed. Cargo claims for spoiled freight are one of the clearest signs of a unit that fails in service. Also ask how drivers pre-cool trailers, how they are told to set the unit and who checks it on the road.

Have a technician test each unit, not only the best-looking ones. Check floors, door seals and insulation, since a tired trailer makes a good unit work harder. Ask about fuel used by the units and how often they break down, and whether warranty coverage carries over. Find out whether spare units or a service contract exist so loads are not lost when one fails.

Key takeaways

• Treat each refrigeration unit as its own machine with its own history.
• Read temperature logs and ask about any drift or claim.
• Have a specialist test every unit, plus floors, seals and insulation.
• Ask whether warranty or service contracts carry over, and whether spare units exist for breakdowns.