The Impact of Hotter Weather On Refrigerated Freight

 

Demand for refrigerated freight is a year-long necessity, but due to the higher temperatures in the summer months as well as a need for Produce Season equipment, temperature-controlled carrier demand is greatly heightened. Having access to experienced refrigerated carriers is vital in maintaining the shelf-life of goods during transit. That’s why 3PLs work closely with carriers to ensure that all refrigerated freight guidelines are being followed and freight is tracked and monitored throughout every step in the route.

Below are the 3 key areas you should know about refrigerated freight in the summer months:

What To Know About Refrigerated Freight

1) Ambient Heat & Trailer Temperature

Temperatures in the summer months in some states can reach up to 120F. This increases the internal temperature of anything enclosed in those conditions. In general, truck trailers can get up to 30F warmer than that the outside temperature. So, that means up to extreme heats between 120-150F. Therefore, it is critical that refrigerated trailers are properly maintained and operating accurately to be able to combat this high ambient heat.

2) Pre-cool

When commodities with high rates of respiration are loaded warm at shipping, temperatures may rise despite the Carrier’s proper maintenance. Always pre-cool produce prior to the scheduled loading time to ensure loading is  accomplished without unnecessary delay.

In addition, The driver should pre-cool the trailer prior to loading.

3) Product Temperature / Reefer Set Point

Prior to and during loading and unloading, drivers pulp the product that is being loaded into their trailer. Then, drivers should notate temperatures on the bill of lading. Additionally, all reefer units have a ‘Set Point’; this is the setting that the driver manually sets the refrigerated trailer to run at.

 

Franco Logistics Solutions  

Knowledge of the required temperature settings needed to keep goods fresh during transit is critical for shippers and their consumers. We provide constant monitoring of temperature settings throughout the route, ensuring that goods do not have an opportunity to spoil – especially  during times when temperatures reach well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in some parts of the country. Additionally, we provide our carrier network with guidelines on transporting sensitive freight and insights on preserving optimal temperatures during shipments.

We work with our carrier partners to provide end-to-end visibility, conducting temperature checks and providing regular customer updates with additional customized shipper solutions. Learn more about Franco Logistics refrigerated freight services or to talk to an expert in refrigerated freight, visit here.