If you run a transportation company that handles perishable and temperature-sensitive goods, you need a reliable reefer trailer. According to PartnerShip, before refrigeration, produce can only travel about 50 miles from the farm where it was grown. It's therefore important that as soon as the goods get to the reefer trailer, they're stored at a temperature that stops the growth of bacteria. To ensure your reefer trailer doesn't fail you when you need it the most, you need to keep it well-maintained. Here are some reefer trailer maintenance tips you need to know about as a reefer transportation company.

1. Keep the Interior Clean

A reefer transportation company moves many different types of perishable foods. To prevent cross-contamination of products, it's crucial to keep the interior clean. This means the trailer should be cleaned after every delivery. While transporting food, residue from a load can spread substances across the floor that'll contaminate subsequent loads. Basic cleaning involves sweeping and removing pallet wood and leftover products. This is a great way to ensure that every delivery travels in a sanitary environment.

2. Address Moisture Concerns Quickly

There are some issues that are unique to reefer trailers. For instance, the insulation system that's between the internal and external skins can degrade. Another big problem is moisture. Moisture can cause the insulation materials to break down faster. This results in a decrease in thermal efficiency. As such, you must ensure that moisture levels are low. This means it may be necessary to clean and dry the truck after transporting wet or frozen goods.

3. Repair Any Damage ASAP

It's not uncommon for the reefer trailer to get damaged. For instance, there can be punctures and rips to the trailer's outer and inner skins. If this damage isn't repaired as soon as possible, moisture will find its way into the walls. It'll start degrading the foam insulation, and it can even cause rust. When this happens, the refrigeration unit will have to start working harder to make up for the loss of coldness. As you might imagine, this leads to higher fuel consumption, which increases operational costs significantly. Eventually, if there's a serious loss of insulation, the unit won't be able to cool the interior enough, which makes it unsuitable for use. Therefore, it's crucial that you address any damage to your reefer trailer as quickly as possible.

These are some of the most important reefer trailer maintenance tips you need to keep in mind. It's important to ensure that all repairs and maintenance work is done in time, as delays can cause a serious loss in efficiency, which leads to serious equipment damage. Get in touch with Jilco Equipment Leasing Co. Inc. today if you need help with reefer trailer maintenance or are interested in investing in your own reefer fleet.