How to choose a Refrigerated Truck

How to choose a Refrigerated Truck

      When considering a purchase of a refrigerated container here are questions that the customer will need to know before investing. The size and payload capacity chassis vary greatly, so these questions will also help in determining the right chassis for the job.

Specifying a refrigerated truck is a bit more in depth than specifying a dry freight truck. Here are the three basics questions you need to answer:

    

     1. What is the primary product I will be transporting in my refrigerated truck?

     2. How much product weight will I be hauling in my refrigerated truck?

     3. How will the product be loaded and unloaded from your refrigerated truck?

What is the primary product I will be transporting in my refrigerated truck?

     What you are transporting in your refrigerated truck and the product’s temperature requirement will determine many of the key specifications, including how much insulation is needed. Transporting dairy products in your refrigerated truck requires different specifications than transporting fresh seafood, for example. Benner Truck bodies reefers have standard PUF insulation thickness of 80mm to 125mm. More insulation is available depending on the product you are transporting, the size and type of door you use, the refrigeration unit, and the temperature you need to maintain.

How are the products packaged (pallet, milk-type crate, boxes, bags, ect.) that I will be transporting in my refrigerated truck?

     As important as the product is how your product is packaged. For example, the packaging used for your product affects the airflow inside the refrigerated truck. Airflow is essential in keeping your product’s temperature consistent throughout the refrigerated truck and during the course of the entire delivery day. With that in mind, the Benner Truck bodies are available with numerous flooring options such as aluminum hat section, inverted “T” flooring, that will ensure adequate flow throughout the body.

How much product weight and cubic feet will I be hauling in my refrigerated truck?

     Think about the cargo you need to haul in your refrigerated truck – what’s more important, the payload weight you are carrying or the cubic feet of payload space you’ll fill? Benner Truck bodies refrigerated trucks are available in lengths of 10 feet up to 20 feet. What you are hauling and the commercial chassis you choose will help determine which refrigerated truck dimensions work best for your application.

What temperature do I need to maintain in my refrigerated truck?

     Benner refrigerated truck bodies are the integral link your transportation “cold chain”. Refrigerated trucks usually carry your products the last miles before they are delivered. Maintaining the correct temperature in your refrigerated truck is critical, and is a function of the type of refrigeration system you use and the amount of insulation used in the walls, floor, and roof.

Will the products I am transporting in my refrigerated truck need to be maintained at different temperatures?

     If you are transporting products that need to maintain different temperatures, then your refrigerated truck will need to be designed for multi-temperature. This means that the same refrigerated truck will have more than one temperature zone inside. Multiple permanent interior partitions allow you to deliver fresh, cold, and frozen products in the same refrigerated truck.

How many times will the refrigerated truck doors be open per day?

     The routes your refrigerated truck runs, the number of times the doors are opened and closed, and the temperature(s) you need to maintain will help determine the type of door, wall insulation thickness, and refrigeration unit that is needed for your reefer container.

How will the product be loaded and unloaded from your refrigerated truck?

     Given the product you are hauling and how it’s delivered, think about whether you will be hand loading or forklift loading your refrigerated truck. If you are hand loading your refrigerated truck, then a lift gate may make sense

Will I need a particular bed height and bumper for dock loading and unloading of my refrigerated truck?

     If you are loading your product with a fork lift from a dock, then the commercial truck dealer   will need to know if there is a particular bed height and bumper that’s required. Commercial chassis vary in height and payload capacity, so knowing any dock height requirements is important to make sure your refrigerated truck is designed correctly.

Will you need a side door in your refrigerated truck?

     If your job requires quick and convenient curb or street side access to your product, then a side door for your refrigerated truck makes sense. You may choose from a single or double insulated swing side door. Steps can be added to your refrigerated truck for even more convenience

For the refrigerated truck’s rear doors, are there any special considerations such as type, height or width?

     Depending on the product you are hauling in your refrigerated truck and how you deliver it, you may want to consider insulated swing rear doors such as single narrow, double narrow, full opening, tri-panel, or four panel swing doors.

Will you need the refrigeration unit operating when the refrigerated truck engine is not running?

     The type of refrigeration unit you need for your refrigerated truck is determined by several key operational factors. Different choices and styles of refrigeration units are available depending on your specific needs. Benner Truck Bodies work with the leading providers of refrigeration units, Thermo King, Carrier, Transfreez, Hwa Sung thermo and can help you determine the right refrigeration unit for your refrigerated truck based on your product, product packaging, temperature you need to maintain, door type, and insulation thickness.

Will I need electric standby to keep my product's temperature consistent overnight inside the refrigerated truck?

     Do you remove your product from your refrigerated truck every night or do you need to keep the product inside the truck? Electric standby lets you connect the refrigeration unit to an outlet for power during stopovers and overnight.
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