Never say never.........ok, so I was wrong

[Big_Dave]

Yeah, I know. I've said that I'll never drag a reefer. I was wrong. :wow: Pass the ketchup, it'll make those words easier to swallow. ;) :rofl:

Starting next week, I'll be dragging a 50' spread axle reefer. Hauling meat to the left coast and hauling produce back. :wow: :wtf:

Since I've never pulled a reefer before, I'd appreciate any and all tips or advice anyone offers.

One thing I'm completely in the dark about is fueling the reefer. Yeah, I know, remove fuel cap and pump fuel in :p , but what's the proceedure for making sure the fuel desk knows the fuel isn't going in the trucks tanks?

From what I understand, this reefer trailer is dang near brand new and it has a Carrier unit on it. Any specific tricks or potential (common) problems I need to watch for with this unit?

Thanks. :)

[Rooster]

Dave #1 Buy a pulp gauge check the temp on everything you load that is refrigerated, check 1 to 2 boxes per pallet and write pulp temps down on the bill of lading its called protecting yer azz.Spread axle load light in the nose single skid if possible or start 24inches from front of trailer, on fuel I split it on one tag or you can have them reset the pump for seperate tag.I can't stress enough the importance of taking pulp temps you don't want a hot load of produce of any kind as your reefer is not designed to exspell field heat and you have to get the heat out to refrigerate actually you do not want a hot load of anything that is not supposed to be hot.Other than that read the reefer instructions they have a lot of valuable information.On produce always run unit on continous if it looks like stuff your wife wouldn't buy at the store don't load it before calling the broker or shipper and last resort the U.S.D.A. man there is always one around produce sheads.PULP PULP and PULP again,to check your pulp gauge put it in a glass of ice water it should read 32 degrees. Have fun its not all that bad pulling a frigerator you will never starve to death! Good Luck & God Bless Rooster (chicken hauler exstrordaire)

[Double_R]

One thing I'm completely in the dark about is fueling the reefer. Yeah, I know, remove fuel cap and pump fuel in stick out tongue , but what's the proceedure for making sure the fuel desk knows the fuel isn't going in the trucks tanks?


If you are using a Comdata card; when you swipe the card, it will ask you if you are fueling tractor, trailer or both. Just hang up the nozzole and turn it back on and fill(not trying to sound like a smart a$$) The fuel desk will give you two reciepts. if not Comdata, just inform the fuel desk BEFORE YOU FUEL that you are filling the reefer.

Also, see if you can a copy of the alarm codes from your compnay or a dealer. Much easier to know what the alarm is and how to fix the problem.

Check temp on reefer Every time you stop for anything. Just better piece of mind to know that the unit is running right.

I assume that the trailer is one zone only, so you will only have to set the temp once(I pull 3 zone; frozen, cold, and what ever). Make sure the trailer is pre-cooled and set to the right temp before pick up. Some place will not load until the trailer is at the right temp.

Good luck with your new job. Any other questions I may be able to help.

One more thing: You will get use to sleeping with the unit running, it just takes time
:D

[PartTimeDweller]

Welcome to the dark side Dave. :cool:

If you have a fairly new unit, it should be a quiet one. Just remember to park next to dry vans and flatbedders only, they love the soothing noise a reefer makes. JUST KIDDING> I always try to park by myself, that way if someone parks next to me, it is by their choosing. If you can't park by yourself, try not to line the unit up directly next to someones sleeper.

It shouldn't take too long to get used to sleeping with the noise, just be thankful you are starting pulling a reefer now, 10 yrs ago there wasn't such a thing as a "Whisper Unit", you dang near needed ear plugs for the old units.

Another tip; make sure every load you pick up has the temp the shipper wants the load clearly shown on the BOL. If it isn't make them write it on there. Don't just take someones word for it, as the reciever may have a different idea.

Also, if you haul iced down produce, make sure the drain holes in the back are open. If not, you will get a BIG surprise when you open the doors at the reciever. I saw this at Super Value once years ago, a young newbie opened his doors and a wall of water came rushing out. Quite humorous. :rofl:

[Roadranger13]

Once you start feeling comfortable pulling a reefer, you'll never leave the "dark side". Been pullling one most of my 31 years out here. More choice of loads. If no reefer loads you can put whatever will fit in there. NO CHEAP FREIGHT!!!! :cheers: Some areas run more to either dry or reefer loads. What did he say? OH yeah, PULP< PULP<PULP!

[Randy]

Hey Dave,

As a reefer keeper you might want to check out a guy named Bill Marten (Produce Driver) at www.bigrigowner.com he has info you might be interested in ...you can type in produce driver in the search window and look over past articals.

Hope it helps.

:cheers:
Randy

[White Dog]

You can't spend your nights worrying about whom might be offended by the noise of you reefer----you can make an honest effort to park with other reefers or alone, but if the only spot is the only spot---don't sweat it, park and get some sleep.

Patience is a virtue: at meat packing plants? Hurry up and wait! While loading produce? Hurry up and wait, and then get to your next 10 stops for the next 15 pallets! Be patient, it all takes time.

I know you like to run legal------if you want to make money, and succeed in reefer.....you might have to change your mind about that.
Not all the time; but when it takes all day to load, you might have to run all night....just the way it goes some times.

Pallet exchange: they will try to give you every broken pallet they have----keep an eye on them, and don't be affraid to ask for good ones, or better yet, pick out your own.

I never had too much worry about pulp checking, but it is good advice.
Running produce on continuous is important because they usually put a "tattle tale" in the trailer, and that will record the temperature throughout the entire trip to the consignee. Too much fluctuation and they will refuse it.

Be prepared for slightly more hassle at scales....D.O.T. like to pick on chicken truck reefers just as offten as bull racks----keep your ducks in a row and you got nothing to worry about.

Wash outs: if you haul frozen most of the time, most places will put up with broken pieces of pallet, and some dirt.
What they don't like is, blood, any food particles (i.e. a couple baby carrots etc....that fell out of boxes and stuck between ribs of the floor)---carry a kitchen broom, not a shop broom, so you can get inbetween the ribs, and save some time and money on wash outs.
I've sometimes went a couple of months without wash out since I didn't haul anything that blead on the floor.

Be prepared to haul into some tight spots and some odd hours (this you've done pleanty with LTL).

If I think of more I'll let you know.

[scubadiver]

Dave I pulled for for Marten 4 years ago. Fueling is also more often than the truck. A 30 gal tank is every day at least once depending on the temp, both outside and inside. A 50 gal every other day. You'll get to the point where you can tell if something is wrong with the reefer while driving from the vibration. Also you may find it hard to sleep without the reefer on your time off. ;) ;) Double R is right check the reefer every time you stop. If you p/u a Beer load (alchol sp) which I doubt fill truck and trailer up. Budwieser and Miller will get you close to gross.

[LSMR]

One thing I'm completely in the dark about is fueling the reefer. Yeah, I know, remove fuel cap and pump fuel in stick out tongue , but what's the proceedure for making sure the fuel desk knows the fuel isn't going in the trucks tanks?


If you are using a Comdata card; when you swipe the card, it will ask you if you are fueling tractor, trailer or both. Just hang up the nozzole and turn it back on and fill(not trying to sound like a smart a$$) The fuel desk will give you two reciepts. if not Comdata, just inform the fuel desk BEFORE YOU FUEL that you are filling the reefer.

Also, see if you can a copy of the alarm codes from your compnay or a dealer. Much easier to know what the alarm is and how to fix the problem.

Check temp on reefer Every time you stop for anything. Just better piece of mind to know that the unit is running right.

I assume that the trailer is one zone only, so you will only have to set the temp once(I pull 3 zone; frozen, cold, and what ever). Make sure the trailer is pre-cooled and set to the right temp before pick up. Some place will not load until the trailer is at the right temp.

Good luck with your new job. Any other questions I may be able to help.

One more thing: You will get use to sleeping with the unit running, it just takes time
:D

Carrying the alarm code cards is a good idea.It would be a good idea to read & understand the operators manual too.If you can't find the alarm code cards or you boss drags his feet feel free to pm me.I have a couple vendors to get these items from.

Good luck on the new job :cheers:

[sweet_whiskey]

If you haul turkeys from Butterball or actually any kind of turkeys they tell you to keep your reefer on continous 20 degrees. DO THAT! They have a thermometer reader on one of the pallets and it records the temperature on a regular basis.

If you open the vent door it will also record that temperature drop. Trust me it's a sensitive device.

Also make sure you can get more then 60 dollars worth of reefer fuel a day. The new Carriers and TK have bigger tanks and it makes it hard to actually fuel up if you ever have to drop it at a receiver or shipper.

[Foxfire]

Pay attention to where they place that Ryan (temp recorder) Dave. Different companies want it different places. I always wanted mine on the wall about 3/4 of the way to the doors. It is there to record the temp of the unit, NOT the temp of the product!! And that is all that you are responsible for... keeping the unit on the setting it is supposed to be on.
Most reefer units have a small unit on the left side that you can see from the driver's seat in your mirror at all times. Learn to keep a close eye on that. As long as you see green lights all should be well. Every time you stop walk back there and check the temp reading. Make sure it is where you want it. Never assume that the shipper is giving you chilled produce! PULP! They will try all kinds of tricks if they think they can get away with it. Not all but there are some that will. Castroville, Ca. comes to my mind in this case. The man didn't want me to pulp the cauliflower. Said it would damage his product. I finally looked him square in the eye and told him I was gonna pulp something be it the produce or his azz. He decided to let me "damage" his product.......lol
Psssst......... see? I had an attitude long before I went to skateboards......lol

[Big_Dave]

Pay attention to where they place that Ryan (temp recorder) Dave. Different companies want it different places. I always wanted mine on the wall about 3/4 of the way to the doors. It is there to record the temp of the unit, NOT the temp of the product!! And that is all that you are responsible for... keeping the unit on the setting it is supposed to be on.
Yep, we have them on all outbound loads. The customer has a habit of shipping meat right off the line. :wtf:
Most reefer units have a small unit on the left side that you can see from the driver's seat in your mirror at all times. Learn to keep a close eye on that. As long as you see green lights all should be well. Every time you stop walk back there and check the temp reading. Make sure it is where you want it.
Been there, done that, do it every time. :wacko:
Never assume that the shipper is giving you chilled produce! PULP! They will try all kinds of tricks if they think they can get away with it. Not all but there are some that will.
Always check product temp on each skid!!!

[Foxfire]

You are a smart man Dave! I had to dig back in my archives in this old brain to come up with all that. Do ya have any idea how long it's been since I fooled with a reefer? Jeeze!

[Big_Dave]

Do ya have any idea how long it's been since I fooled with a reefer? Jeeze!
Didn't they just chip chunks of ice off the local glacier? :yikes: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Sorry, but ya left yourself wide open on that one! :wicked: :shifty:

[Foxfire]

:bop: :bop: :bop: :bop: :yikes: RAIN! Dave's pickin on me!!!

[Big_Dave]

:rofl:

She can't hear you! She's washing dishes, making dinner, doing laundry and cleaning the livingroom. :harhar:

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Cinnamon]

...What they said....As for checking reefer temp, my boss had a digital readout box mounted right under the regular info box(Carrier unit)on my trailer corner. Too cool! I can check the temp anytime...just look in my mirror!
Good Luck!