Reefer.

What it is

Reefer is short for refrigerated trailer — a 53-foot trailer fitted with a mechanical refrigeration unit (typically Carrier or Thermo King) that maintains a controlled temperature ranging from frozen (-20°F) to chilled (35°F+). The refrigeration unit runs off its own diesel tank and is independent of the tractor. New reefer trailers run roughly $70K–$110K; used reefers run $25K–$60K depending on age, hours, and reefer-unit condition.

Reefer freight covers produce, frozen foods, dairy, pharmaceuticals, flowers, and certain temperature-sensitive chemicals. Operators are required to carry reefer breakdown coverage in addition to standard motor truck cargo — a failed reefer unit on a load of produce is a six-figure claim risk. The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) imposes sanitary transport requirements on carriers hauling food: documented temperature logs, sanitary trailer condition, and pre-cooling protocols.

Why it matters for trucking finance

Reefer pays premium rates per mile vs. dry van but operating costs are higher: fuel for the reefer unit, maintenance on the refrigeration system, downtime when the unit fails. Equipment financing for reefers runs higher than dry vans because of unit cost and complexity. Reefer breakdown coverage is mandatory — without it, a single failed reefer claim can wipe out months of margin. Lenders sometimes require reefer breakdown disclosure as part of equipment-financing underwriting.

Related terms

• Dry Van — Standard enclosed trailer (53-foot box) for non-perishable, non-temperature-controlled freight; the most common trailer type in trucking.
• Flatbed — Open trailer with no walls or roof, used for oversized, irregularly shaped, or top-loaded freight; requires tarping and load securement skills.
• Reefer Breakdown — Insurance endorsement covering cargo loss from refrigeration unit failure; standard motor truck cargo policies exclude this.

Related Dispatched products

• Equipment financing
• Commercial trucking insurance