Important Questions to Ask About Refrigerated Transport
Refrigerated transport can be needed for food, medicine, and even items like fresh fruit, flowers and furs. Arranging for refrigerated transport can be very different than arranging trucking for other items, so you want to ensure you know what's involved and ask the right questions of any potential transport company. Note a few of those questions here and why you need to address these issues when hiring a refrigerated transport company.
1. Is there an extra charge for freezing versus refrigeration?
Because actual frozen temperatures can mean more wear and tear on the motors that control the transport area of a truck, you may find that it's more expensive to transport frozen items versus those that need refrigeration. However, some trucking companies may keep their cargo areas at a certain temperature that works to keep frozen items preserved while also protecting items that need refrigeration. They may charge the same amount for both. Whatever the case, be sure you understand the difference between frozen and refrigerated transport and are prepared for the proper charge.
2. Can ice cream be transported as LTL?
LTL refers to less than truckload, or when you are charged for just a small amount of space on a truck rather than taking up the entire cargo area. While some items that need refrigerating or freezing can be shipped as LTL, ice cream may be an exception because of how it's affected when it melts even slightly. Other items may have a wider range when it comes to a safe temperature for transport, but a drop of even a few degrees can cause ice cream to melt and in turn, its consistency is ruined as it cannot simply be refrozen. If you're shipping ice cream, be sure you ask about shipping it with an LTL rate rather than assuming it can be put in with other products on the truck. You may need to use the entire cargo area so the temperature can be better controlled.
3. Is humidity controlled?
A refrigerated transport may mean less humidity overall simply because colder temperatures mean less humidity in the air, but don't assume this is the case if your product needs a dryer environment. This can include flowers, furs, and other such items that may easily absorb humidity in the air. Ask how they refrigerate the back of their cargo area and if the humidity is controlled. This can mean protecting your items from moisture as well as frost that may collect and in turn, ruin your cargo.
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