What is a Reefer Truck? A Comprehensive Guide to Reefer Trucking

Want to know what keeps America fresh? Forget TikTok trends and pop music—it’s our reefer truck drivers! They're the real cool kids of the road (pun absolutely intended). From fresh-baked cookies to life-saving meds, there's a whole world of cargo that needs to keep its chill, and that's made possible thanks to reefers. Truck drivers, if you’re looking to boost your earning potential and stand out from the pack, it’s time to explore the frozen frontier of reefer transportation. 

In this guide, we’ll break down everything from “What is a reefer truck?” to “Why should you join the cool crew?” We’ll also walk you through everything you need to know about joining the temperature-controlled elite.

What is Reefer Trucking?

Let's chill for a minute and define reefer trucks and what makes them so special. In trucking speak, "reefer" is shorthand for "refrigerated," referring to trucks equipped with special systems that let you control and monitor your cargo's temperature. Plot twist: these trucks don't just keep things cold—they can also keep cargo warm when needed.

So, why do we need reefer trucks? Because many goods need to be kept at a specific temperature from pickup to delivery to prevent spoiling or damage. Check out this lineup of temperature-sensitive freight that needs a reefer ride:

• Pharmaceuticals and medical supplies

• Fresh seafood

• Premium meats

• Dairy products

• Fresh flowers

• Produce

• Fresh baked goods

• Cosmetics

• Electronics

• Fine art pieces

• Musical instruments

• Antique furniture

See those dollar signs? Your vision isn't playing tricks on you—driving a reefer can mean serious profits! Shippers with temperature-sensitive goods are willing to pay premium rates for reliable reefer drivers. After all, their products have to arrive in perfect condition. 

Here's another bright spot: notice how many of those items are everyday essentials? While other trucking jobs might fluctuate with the economy, people always need food and medicine, and therefore, a reefer truck. Meaning driving a temperature-controlled trailer is one of the most reliable jobs in trucking. A reefer could be your ticket to recession-proof work.

Reefer Trucking Requirements

Ready to hit the gas on your reefer truck career? Let’s talk about upgrading your rig with some serious cooling power. Before you dive in, here’s a light science lesson on the tech that makes these trucks work their magic.

What Are Reefer Trucks Made Of?

At its core, your reefer uses either a diesel generator or a cryogenic system to suck out warm air and circulate cold air to maintain the ideal temperature. Here are the four key components that make it all happen: 

1. The reefer unit - your temperature control command center

2. The insulated box - your cargo's cozy (and temperature-controlled) home

3. An air chute system - keeps that cool air flowing where it needs to go

4. Air suspension - because some cargo needs a smooth ride

Your cooling unit runs on both diesel fuel and refrigerant, so you’ll need to keep tabs on both.

Reefer Truck Certification/Training

Let's talk about turning those dollar signs into reality. What is a truck reefer driver's first step? Getting certified. You’ll need to add a Reefer Endorsement to your commercial driver’s license (CDL). Think of it as your VIP pass to premium loads—it proves you know your way around temperature control and can handle the special care these shipments need. 

Prerequisites: To qualify for a Reefer Endorsement, you’ll need a valid CDL, meet age requirements (usually 21 for interstate trucking). While a clean driving record isn’t always required, some companies prefer drivers with a strong safety history.

Getting certified is straightforward: just choose any provider from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's approved list. Training can often be completed in a few days to a week, with costs ranging from $100-$300 depending on the provider.

Here’s what you’ll learn during your Reefer Endorsement training:

• Temperature Control: Become the boss of your cooling system, including how to handle those "uh-oh" moments on the road

• Temperature Monitoring: Learn how to read and respond to your trailer’s climate systems

• Cargo Handling: Perfect the art of handling temperature-sensitive freight from the loading dock to delivery door

• Food Safety: Get up to speed on the rules that keep food fresh and safe during transport

• Smart Route Planning: Learn to map your runs with temperature control in mind—because a warm trailer is bad for business

• Documentation: Nail down the paperwork that proves you're keeping things by the book (and keeping that food safety inspector happy)

Sure, it might seem like extra work upfront, but here's the bottom line: once you've got that endorsement in your pocket, you're looking at more loads and better rates. Not a bad trade-off, right?

Reefer Insurance

Here's the deal with reefer insurance: the same thing that makes this gig lucrative (valuable, fragile cargo) also means you need solid coverage if things go sideways. So, it’s a good idea to add refrigerated truck insurance to your existing liability and property coverage. Many insurance providers offer this as a rider, which is way more wallet-friendly than a separate policy.

Pros and Cons of Reefer Trucking

Thinking about chilling in the reefer lane? Whether you’re a seasoned pro looking to expand or a rookie ready to maximize earnings, here are some pros and cons to consider before sliding into the driver's seat:

Pros of Reefer Trucking

Ready for some good news? Here's why reefer driving might be your next smart move:

Rock-Solid Job Security: Welcome to the Essential Workers Club! While other freight might slow down during tough times, people always need food and medicine. That means steady work for reefer drivers, recession or not.

Premium Paydays: Handling temperature-sensitive cargo takes extra skill and special equipment—and shippers are happy to pay for it. Translation? Higher rates per load.

Less Empty Road Time: Nobody likes deadhead miles eating into their profits. Reefer loads are everywhere, so you'll spend less time running empty compared to dry van runs.

Your Skills Are in Demand: Not every trucker is willing to go through Reefer training or invest in the equipment. Their loss is your gain—you'll have access to premium loads others can't touch.

(Bonus perk: Your reefer truck can moonlight as a dry van. Just power down the cooling unit, and you've got yourself a do-it-all rig.)

Cons of Reefer Trucking

Let's keep it real—reefer jobs are like truck stop showers: great when you find them, but they come with their own quirks. Here's what you should know before hitting the road:

Time is Your Co-Pilot: Frigid and fragile pretty much go hand in hand, so prepare for extra loading and unloading times. You'll also need to factor in pre-cooling your trailer—it has to hit the perfect temp before you even think about picking up your load.

Night Owl Schedule Required: Get ready to embrace the midnight runs. Since most of your loads will be perishables headed to grocery stores, you're looking at deliveries when the rest of the world's sleeping—we're talking pre-sunrise drops or late-night runs when the parking lots are empty.

More Maintenance, More Costs: Your rig needs all the usual TLC, plus extra attention for those cooling components. Factor in separate maintenance schedules, specific parts, and special fluids, all of which increase your upfront costs.

Spoiled Cargo = Spoiled Paycheck: Unlike dry van loads, where you just need to keep things secure, reefer loads need perfect temp control from pickup to delivery. If that temperature gauge isn't happy, neither is your paycheck—carriers can refuse payment if the cargo isn't at the right temperature on arrival.

Best Practices When Transporting Reefer Freight

Want to build a solid reputation and maximize your reefer profits? Here are the essentials for keeping your cool on every run.

Perform Pre-trip Inspections of the Refrigeration Unit

Before accepting any cargo, run through these critical checks:

• Visually inspect the cooling unit for leaks or damage

• Verify temperature settings match your intended cargo

• Check the fuel levels of the refrigeration unit

• Examine the insulation and door seals

• Complete one full cooling cycle to test your unit

Conduct this inspection a couple of days before pickup. This gives you time to make repairs if you find an issue.

Load the Truck to Allow Proper Airflow

Your cargo needs room to breathe. Follow these spacing guidelines for optimal airflow:

• Leave one to two inches between the cargo and trailer walls

• Leave nine inches between the cargo and ceiling

• Leave four inches between the cargo and back doors

• Using pallets? You might need extra clearance.

Also, don't over promise on how much you can transport! Check out our free load board to find jobs that fit your truck perfectly.

Regularly Monitor Temperature During Transport

Keep tabs on your cargo temp throughout your run. A good monitoring system should:

• Provide real-time temperature readings

• Alert you if temps drift too high or too low

• Log temperature data for your records

Consistent monitoring means consistent pay—a happy thermometer makes for happy customers.

Simplify Your Search for Reefer Loads and More with TruckSmarter

Step into the cooler side of trucking. Start your reefer journey today by signing up with TruckSmarter! We make it easy to find and book loads at no cost to you, connecting you directly with brokers and facilities looking for reliable reefer drivers.

But we go beyond load-finding. We're here to help with the dollars and cents, too:

• Front your fuel costs and grab that load now; pay us back later

• Save serious money at the pump with our nationwide fuel discounts

• Get paid faster with our low-rate factoring services

• Earn more with a TruckSmarter checking account's competitive rates

Sign up today