Refrigerated trucking, otherwise known as “reefer driving”, plays a vital role in keeping grocery stores, restaurants, and hospitals stocked with fresh and frozen goods. From ice cream to produce to life-saving medicines, reefer drivers handle time-sensitive, temperature-controlled freight that impacts millions of people every day.
Whether you’re exploring reefer driving as a career or just curious about the work, keep reading for an inside look at the routines, responsibilities, and challenges these drivers face each day.
Morning Start: Pre-Trip and Loading
Most reefer drivers start their day early, often before sunrise. Like other truckers, they begin with a pre-trip inspection, but this special freight requires a few extra steps.
- Check the truck: Brakes, tires, fluids, and lights are inspected to ensure safety.
- Check the trailer: The refrigeration unit is tested, fuel for the reefer tank is topped off, and the temperature is set to match the shipper’s requirements.
- Paperwork review: Drivers confirm load details, delivery windows, and special instructions.
- Loading: Reefer freight is often loaded at cold storage facilities. This can take extra time since workers may need to stage items carefully to maintain the cold chain.
This stage requires patience. Reefer drivers can’t leave until everything is documented and the load is properly secured.
On the Road: Balancing Speed and Safety
Once the load is ready, reefer drivers hit the highway. Unlike dry van drivers, reefer drivers must constantly consider how road conditions, stops, and delays affect their cargo.
- Temperature monitoring: Most modern reefers have digital displays or even remote monitoring, but drivers often check gauges during fuel stops.
- Fuel management: The refrigeration unit runs on its own small diesel tank. Running out of fuel would spoil the load, so keeping it topped off is critical.
- Scheduling pressure: Fresh goods often mean strict delivery appointments. Late arrivals can lead to rejected loads, making time management essential.
For many reefer drivers, staying ahead of traffic delays and weather conditions is just as important as watching hours-of-service limits.
Midday Challenges: Shippers, Receivers, and Wait Times
Reefer drivers spend a lot of time at warehouses, grocery distribution centers, and cold storage facilities. These stops can be unpredictable.
- Unloading delays: Receivers may require product checks, temperature verification, and detailed documentation.
- Lumper services: Some facilities require lumpers, which are third-party workers, to unload, which adds cost and time.
- Strict appointment windows: Unlike some freight, many reefer loads don’t have flexible delivery times.
The downtime during loading or unloading can stretch into hours, testing a driver’s patience. Some drivers use this time for paperwork, rest, or planning the next leg of their trip.
Evening Routine: Ending the Day
At the end of the day, reefer drivers face the same challenge as many truckers: finding safe parking. For those who run overnight or OTR routes, there’s the added responsibility of keeping the reefer unit fueled and running throughout the night. While not every reefer driver spends the night on the road, those who do must factor in these unique challenges as part of their daily routine:
- Parking near power or fuel: Ensuring access to reefer fuel prevents emergencies.
- Noise factor: Reefer units cycle on and off to maintain temperature, which can be loud. Many drivers get used to sleeping through the sound.
- End-of-day checks: A quick walk-around to confirm the reefer unit is running properly helps avoid surprises in the morning.
After logging their hours, completing paperwork, and confirming the next day’s schedule, reefer drivers finally get a chance to rest.
The Rewards and Challenges of Reefer Driving
Being a reefer driver isn’t for everyone. It requires adaptability, patience, and strong time management. However, it is also a reliable career that comes with unique benefits.
Challenges:
- Long wait times at shippers and receivers
- Strict delivery windows
- Extra responsibility for temperature-sensitive cargo
- Sleeping with the reefer unit cycling on and off
Rewards:
- Steady demand: Food, medicine, and perishable goods are always needed
- Higher earning potential compared to some dry van jobs
- Variety of freight and destinations
- The satisfaction of hauling freight that directly impacts daily life
Reefer driving may come with added responsibilities, but for many truckers, it’s a rewarding career path.
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