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What Is Reefer?

Temperature-controlled trailer. A plain-English trucking glossary entry for owner operators and small fleets.

Reefer: A reefer is a refrigerated trailer with a cooling unit that keeps freight at a set temperature. It hauls perishable goods such as produce, meat, dairy and pharmaceuticals.

Why it matters to owner operators

Reefer freight can pay more than dry van, but the costs include reefer fuel, tighter delivery windows and strict temperature requirements. Set and verify the setpoint and keep records.

Example

A carrier loads frozen food, sets the reefer unit to the temperature on the rate confirmation, and checks it at each stop.

Our service: See our Reefer dispatch service.

Related terms

Equipment & Trailers: Looking for freight that fits your equipment? See the equipment types we dispatch. Talk to our dispatch team or browse the full trucking glossary.

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