Businesses that ship perishable or temperature-sensitive cargo rely on reefer less-than-truckload shipping (also called reefer LTL) to keep their goods safe during transit. Using reefer trucks, carriers can move everything from chilled drinks to medicines without compromising important freight.
But what is LTL reefer shipping, and why is it so important? In this post, we’ll explain everything you need to know about this service and its benefits.
Reefer LTL is a less-than-truckload shipping service using a refrigerated trailer. Unlike reefer full truckload (FTL) shipping, refrigerated LTL trucking is designed to transport multiple smaller shipments that require freezing or chilling.
Multiple temperature-sensitive shipments share space in one trailer, and careful climate control helps protect goods in transit. Each shipper pays only for the space their freight occupies.
As a result, businesses can use a refrigerated LTL freight service to reduce costs rather than pay for an entire trailer unnecessarily.
Refrigerated LTL shipping is popular across a wide range of industries, including:
By using a reefer LTL transportation service, businesses in these industries can ensure that products reach retailers or end users in good condition.
Reefer trailers use advanced temperature control systems and sensors to protect shipments. LTL reefer carriers consolidate shipments based on the required temperature range and delivery region. Common temperature zones for refrigerated LTL freight are:
Climate control is a critical part of the reefer LTL shipping process, but proper packaging and palletization are also vital. These processes help preserve product integrity and allow for even airflow throughout the trailer.
Because refrigerated LTL freight shipments involve multiple stops and handling points, precise scheduling and temperature monitoring are essential to prevent goods from being exposed to temperatures outside their ideal ranges.
Planning successful LTL reefer shipments can be time-consuming and complex. But following these tips can make the process easier.
Because multiple shippers share space on a single reefer LTL trailer, drivers must make more stops than they would with an FTL service. This leads to longer transit times, and potential delays can stretch the process even further.
To minimize customer frustration, always build in extra time for potential delays (e.g., extreme weather or heavy traffic). This is especially important for products with shorter shelf lives, like fresh produce.
Since temperature control is essential for product safety and compliance, shippers should only work with LTL reefer carriers that use tracking and monitoring systems. This will give you visibility into the temperature control used throughout the entire journey and help set your mind at ease.
If conditions inside the trailer start to veer from the target, drivers may be able to fix the issue and keep products at the right temperature for the rest of the journey. Acting early can minimize risks and avoid waste when dealing with refrigerated LTL freight.
Even in reliable reefer trailers, temperature fluctuations can still occur. Always carefully pack and insulate packages when preparing them for reefer LTL shipping. This will help mitigate potential temperature changes and preserve your products.
During certain seasons (e.g., produce harvest periods and holidays), demand for reefer capacity spikes. This may increase rates and limit carrier availability.
Always book with a carrier as early as possible to secure space on trucks and stabilize your costs. If you leave it to the last minute, you could face high rates or miss delivery windows altogether.
Refrigerated LTL trucking can help businesses send flowers, frozen food, fresh vegetables, and all sorts of other goods at just the right temperature. By sharing space in a trailer, shippers can keep costs down when delivering items across long distances.
However, finding a reliable refrigerated LTL freight carrier can be difficult — unless you work with an experienced third-party logistics (3PL) service provider.
DTS can help you arrange secure LTL reefer trucking services to suit your unique needs. We have a network of trusted reefer LTL carriers and experience in managing complex temperature-controlled logistics.
If you have temperature-sensitive goods to ship, get your custom LTL reefer quote today.
Whether you're a company looking to improve one facet of your supply chain, your entire supply chain, or simply looking for a transportation and logistics consultation, we can help.
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