Five Things Truckers Need To Know Before They Buy A Reefer Trailer
Every day, United States truckers haul all manner of goods and materials from coast to coast. A good deal of those goods and materials require either heat or refrigeration and therefore require the use of a reefer trailer.
There are as many as 500,000 reefer trailers in operation across the United States and the global refrigerated market could reach more than $7.6 billion by 2022.
For truckers everywhere, there are several benefits to hauling goods in reefer trailers:
- They protect freight, keeping loads of goods safe from damage, spoilage, weather and theft.
- They’re useful for hauling dry or cold goods. This gives truckers some options when it comes to hauling.
- They can transport fresh products. Whether it’s grocery stores or restaurants, there’s always demand for fresh products, especially when it comes to food. Reefer trailers allow truckers to get those kinds of goods where they need to go.
For truckers looking to buy a reefer trailer of their own, there are many benefits to buying a used reefer trailer. But before you buy a reefer trailer for sale, here are some things to keep in mind:
- Check the reefer unit: When you’re looking at a reefer trailer for sale, you want to make sure the actual reefer unit is functional. Look around for oil leaks or damaged belts. Fire up the reefer unit and let it run for awhile, listening to see how it runs. Set the temperature to a certain point and see how long it takes to cool. A functioning reefer unit is everything when transporting refrigerated goods and a malfunctioning unit could spell trouble if you’re making a long trip.
- Check out the seller: It’s likely there are many places that offer a used reefer trailer for sale, but not all places are equal. Before plunking down a bunch of money or financing a used reefer trailer, you want to be sure the seller you’re buying from is trustworthy. Buying from a trustworthy seller will give you peace of mind that you’re buying a quality product. This can also help you if you have problems down the road. You’ll be able to go back to the seller and hopefully be able to figure out how to fix the problem.
- Keep an eye out for leaks: Buying a used reefer trailer for sale can be a money saver for truckers, but it’s important for any trucker to take time to check everything out. That includes checking for leaks. On a sunny day, shut all the doors, look around in the dark (after your eyes have adjusted of course) and check anywhere and everywhere for any leaks. You want to look for light seeping through anywhere as well as fluid leaks.
- Check the undercarriage: During your inspection, take time to get down on all fours and check the underside of the trailer. You want to look for signs of corrosion, rust or any sort of damage. Again, you don’t want any unwelcome surprises when you’re hauling a big load.
- Check the weight: The maximum weight that a reefer trailer can carry is 44,000 pounds. In addition, the average size of a reefer trailer is anywhere from 28-53 feet in length and no more than 13.5 feet in height.
With these two things in mind, you want to check a used reefer trailer for any signs of excess weight. It’s best to check the trailer’s specific weight specs and run it over a scale. More weight equals more fuel and you want to be sure you don’t have any pockets of water hiding anywhere, which can add more weight.
If you’re looking at used reefer trailers for sale, take time to do some due diligence. The last thing you want is to have buyer’s remorse. Take time to find a trust worthy seller of used reefer trailers and do a thorough examination of the reefer trailer before signing on the dotted line. Reefer trailer cost can vary and you want to be sure you’re getting what you’re paying for.