Skip to content

What To Know Before Buying A Reefer Unit

A reefer trailer is a specific type of trailer that is attached to a semi-truck. Typically, the container reefer unit is used for refrigerated food transport. However, it can also be used as a heated reefer trailer. For many businesses, they’re vital to use, as the goods being transported need to stay in a temperature-controlled environment.

What many businesses face is the question of looking into refrigerated trailer rentals or buying one. The first question to ask when you’re trying to answer is, “How much is a reefer trailer?” Once you know how much a reefer trailer is going to cost you, you’ll be able to tell if you can afford one, and you can go from there. It’s also a good idea to compare the cost of a rental against buying one. However, it’s also important to consider how much use you’ll have for it in the future, and if renting may be more expensive in the long run.

Buying a reefer trailer is no small purchase. So, make sure you know what you need and get everything that you do need when you go to buy one.

What Is A Reefer Trailer?

A reefer trailer is a refrigerated trailer that is attached to a semi-truck to transport perishable items. The cooling within reefers can be achieved by applying certain principles of physics that allow refrigeration to be possible:

 

Using heat as a form of energy

 

Heat energy traveling from warmth to cold

 

When ‘refrigerant’ gases are compressed at room temperature, they liquify

 

When the pressure is released the liquid state changes to vapor

 

Finally, the liquid expands to gas and absorbs all heat, allowing the surroundings to become cooled (or vice versa for warming)

 

Why Buy Wholesale Reefer Units?

A reefer unit is imperative to meeting the rising demand for perishable foods, such as fruits, vegetables, meats, and seafood. The economic growth in some regions of the world are experiencing is brought about by the consistent urbanization in developing regions and countries that account for changing lifestyles, usually starting first and foremost with foods. Picture this, Jake’s parents have moved him and his little sister, Jane to a rural, developing town in Arizona—food was historically locally-grown but the town’s population is experiencing a sudden increase of families, and the region’s natural resources are becoming scarce. The town decides to outsource its food to maintain its resources and saves themselves from starving and stripping their land. Feeding a rapidly growing population would not have been possible without a reefer trailer to transport the food while the unit keeps it fresh and safe for consumption. Buying wholesale reefer units is an ideal investment for companies who are looking to expand their routes at an affordable price.

Purchasing wholesale reefer units is an option for small companies wanting to start-up their business without breaking the bank. Purchasing wholesale reefer unit reduces costs significantly and comes pre-installed with a new reefer unit so small companies won’t have to worry about footing an additional bill. There is a definite trend rising around refrigerator trailers to ensure food safety in emerging economies, with researchers predicting the global refrigerated trailer market estimated around $7, 658 billion as early as 2022. Buying used Thermo King refrigeration units or used trailer refrigeration units allows companies to remain competitive and their promise of safely transporting food while being able to meet the demand, due to transportation cost being cut in half.

8 Important Things To Remember When Buying A Reef Trailer

 

1. Buy from a recordable seller:Before buying any equipment, used or new reefer trailer ALWAYS make sure the seller has trusted credentials. There are many cases of fraud, make sure you aren’t a victim.

 

2. Leaks: Leaks are never a good sign in any vehicle, make sure there is enough natural light coming in the trailer windows to inspect all corners, seals, and floors for light spots seeping in.

 

3. Clear excess weight: Excess weight on board means more fuel being used. To make sure there isn’t any water under the panels, look up the trailer’s weight specs and use them as a reference when using a scale.

 

4. Check the Reefer Unit:

When purchasing a trailer, be sure the unit is intact and usable. Look for any oil leaks, frayed or damaged belts that might stop it from performing at full capacity—test freon levels to see how well and quickly it cools.

 

5. Buying used or wholesale: When looking to invest in trailers, trucks, or units, it is best to browse from a used or wholesale reefer units selection first because that is where the best deals are. Used reefer trailers, used thermo king units, and even used rock trucks for sale are found while browsing through websites. A simple google search will allow you to see the selection you have to choose from—with used rock trucks for sale being apparent in almost every search because of its popularity and high reviews for reliability and used Thermo King units coming in second because of it being a top tier in the trucking industry. Having the means of seeing used rock trucks for sale, refrigeration units, and reefer trailers and Thermo King units for sale in the same search engine allows for a wide variety that is beneficial to small trucking companies.