Reefer vs. Dry Van: Which Trailer Your Freight Needs
A dry van is an enclosed trailer with no temperature control. A reefer is an insulated trailer with its own refrigeration unit. Here's how they differ in capacity and cost, and how to decide which one your freight needs.
A dry van is an enclosed trailer with no temperature control. A reefer is an insulated trailer with its own refrigeration unit, which holds the cargo at a set temperature for the whole trip. Dry van is the default for freight that does not care about temperature. Reefer is for freight that does.
A reefer costs more per mile. This page covers what the extra money pays for and how to tell whether you need it.
Side by side
| Dry van | Reefer | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature control | None | Set point held by a refrigeration unit |
| Typical length | 53 ft | 53 ft |
| Usable space | More | Less, because of insulated walls and the unit |
| Payload | Higher | Lower, because the trailer itself weighs more |
| Pool of trucks | Largest of any equipment type | Smaller |
| Rate per mile | Lower | Higher |
| Typical freight | Packaged goods, retail, paper, machinery | Produce, meat, dairy, frozen food, pharmaceuticals |
What a dry van carries
If the product is unaffected by heat or cold, it goes in a dry van. That covers most packaged and palletized freight: retail goods, canned and boxed food, paper, furniture, building products, machinery and parts.
Dry van is the largest pool of trucks on the road. That makes it the easiest equipment to book and usually the cheapest.
A dry van is not insulated. In summer the inside of a trailer gets much hotter than the air outside, and in winter it freezes.
What a reefer carries
A reefer holds a temperature. Common ranges are:
| Cargo | Typical set point |
|---|---|
| Frozen food | 0°F or below |
| Fresh meat and dairy | Low to mid 30s °F |
| Most fresh produce | 34 to 40°F |
| Temperature-sensitive goods that only need protection from extremes | 55 to 65°F |
The right temperature is set by the product. Get it from whoever is responsible for the product's quality, and put it on the rate confirmation.
Reefers heat as well as cool
A reefer unit holds a set point in both directions. In winter it is used to keep freight from freezing. Paint, adhesives, some beverages and liquid chemicals ship this way in cold months, usually listed as "protect from freeze".
Continuous and cycle modes
A reefer unit runs in one of two modes.
- Continuous. The unit runs the whole time and holds temperature tightly. Fresh produce and other sensitive cargo need this.
- Cycle, also called start-stop. The unit shuts off when the set point is reached and restarts when the temperature drifts. It uses less fuel and allows wider swings. It is commonly used for frozen freight.
If your product needs continuous, write "continuous" on the rate confirmation. Do not leave it to the driver to guess.
Why a reefer costs more
- Fuel for the unit. The refrigeration unit has its own engine and burns diesel for the whole trip, on top of the truck's fuel.
- The equipment. A reefer trailer costs more to buy and to maintain than a dry van.
- Less room and less weight. Insulation takes up space and the unit adds weight, so a reefer carries a little less.
- Fewer trucks. The reefer pool is smaller, so it tightens faster. During produce season, reefer rates out of growing regions rise sharply.
- More work at the dock. The trailer is pre-cooled before loading, and temperatures are often checked and recorded at pickup and delivery.
How to decide
Ask three questions.
- Will the product be harmed by the temperatures inside an uninsulated trailer on this route, at this time of year? If yes, use a reefer.
- Does a regulation or your customer require temperature control or a temperature record? If yes, use a reefer.
- Does your customer require a food-grade trailer? Some receivers want food moved in a clean reefer even when temperature is not critical.
If all three answers are no, ship dry van.
The food safety rule
The FDA's Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food rule sets requirements for shippers, loaders, carriers and receivers of food that needs temperature control for safety. It covers the condition of the vehicle, temperature control during transport, training, and records. It is one of the rules under the Food Safety Modernization Act (21 CFR Part 1, Subpart O).
If you ship food that must stay cold to stay safe, you are responsible for telling the carrier the required temperature in writing.
Two mistakes that cost money
Booking a reefer you don't need. Paying reefer rates "to be safe" for freight that tolerates any temperature is money spent on nothing.
Shipping sensitive freight dry to save on the rate. If the load spoils, freezes or fails a temperature check at the receiver, you lose the whole shipment. The rate difference is small next to that.
What to put on the rate confirmation for a reefer load
- The set point, in degrees, and the acceptable range
- Continuous or cycle mode
- Whether the trailer must be pre-cooled, and to what temperature
- Whether a temperature record is required at delivery
- Any food-grade or washout requirement
How we cover each
Lancashire Freight arranges dry van and refrigerated truckload. Every carrier is checked against FMCSA records for active authority and insurance before a load is assigned. Enter your lane and equipment for a binding all-in rate in 60 seconds, locked for 48 hours. See our dry van and reefer pages for more on each.
FAQ
What is the difference between a reefer and a dry van?
A dry van is an enclosed trailer with no temperature control. A reefer is an insulated trailer with a refrigeration unit that holds the cargo at a set temperature for the whole trip.
What does reefer mean in trucking?
Reefer is short for refrigerated trailer. It is an insulated trailer with its own refrigeration unit, used for freight that must stay within a temperature range.
Is reefer freight more expensive than dry van?
Yes. A reefer costs more per mile than a dry van on the same lane, because the refrigeration unit burns fuel, the trailer costs more to run, and there are fewer refrigerated trucks available.
Can a reefer trailer haul dry freight?
Yes. A reefer can carry dry freight with the unit switched off, and carriers often do this to avoid driving empty. It holds slightly less than a dry van because of the insulation and the unit.
What temperature does a reefer trailer run at?
It depends on the cargo. Frozen food is commonly held at 0°F or below, and most fresh produce between 34 and 40°F. The shipper sets the required temperature.
Can a reefer keep freight warm?
Yes. A reefer unit holds a set temperature in both directions, so in winter it is used to keep freight such as paint and liquids from freezing.
What is the difference between continuous and cycle mode on a reefer?
In continuous mode the unit runs the whole time and holds temperature tightly. In cycle mode it shuts off at the set point and restarts when the temperature drifts, which saves fuel and allows wider swings.
Get a dry van or reefer rate in 60 seconds, locked for 48 hours.