Refrigerated Trucking Services
Refrigerated trucking services is a type of service that employs refrigeration systems to control and maintain specified temperatures at the cargo area of the truck. This type of service is used to transport temperature-sensitive goods to retain their quality. Such goods are usually perishable products like frozen meat, poultry, fish and dairy products like ice cream. Trucks with refrigeration units can either be straight trucks or combinations of semi-tractor trailer. Most of the vessels used in refrigerated trucking services are cooled in a uniform way.
Design of trucks used in refrigerated trucking services
The trucks used in refrigerated trucking services are equipped with transport refrigeration systems typically affixed at the top or behind the driver’s cabin. Most semi-tractor trailers largely opt to place the refrigeration units behind the cabin of the driver in order to add to the total height of the trailer. For straight trucks, on the other hand, the top part is oftentimes the favored part for the refrigeration unit since it will be quite tricky to place the unit in other locations aside from the top.
To make the refrigerated truck work efficiently, the storage part of the truck should be appropriately insulated from outside air. In order to do this, plastic, steel or any other dense material may be used to keep the cold air from leaving the cargo part. Doing this will also take much strain off the transport refrigeration unit resulting to less energy consumed, thus lessening the total cost of operation of the refrigeration system during transport.
Goods needing refrigerated trucking services
There are various types of goods that require refrigerated trucking services. The usual kind of loads that need refrigerated trucks are those perishable ones such as agricultural products like the vegetables and fruits since they tend to decay or spoil easily. Other products that require refrigerated trucking services are frozen foods. The same refrigeration units can be used to control and maintain both cool and freezing temperatures.
Perishables are not the only goods that require refrigerated trucking services. Dry goods such as equipment used in photography processing also require temperature-controlled transport. Though these do not require freezing temperatures, they do require cooler temperatures than the ambient in ordinary trucking services. Some drugs and vaccines shipped by pharmaceutical companies as well as certain chemicals used by manufacturing firms also need controlled temperatures during shipment to retain their quality.
Choosing refrigerated trucking services
There is a huge number of companies throughout the United States that offer refrigerated trucking services. When searching for the best service provider for your shipping needs you need to interview the prospective provider about their expertise in the type of shipping you require. Ask them what guarantees they could give you to ensure the on-time delivery of your goods. Cost is also a major factor to consider, so do not hesitate to clarify about all fees and charges. Inquire if there is any insurance involved and what type of coverage is included. You must also learn about any packaging and labeling requirements they impose on cargos. This way, you will be able to make an informed decision pertaining to your choice of refrigerated trucking services.