Reefer Trailer Maintenance

Refrigerated trailers, usually referred to as reefers, have made transporting perishable goods far easier than it was in the past. However, the built in refrigeration unit also makes the trailer more complex, which means more time and money spent on maintenance. This guide from Utility Trailer of Washington has some helpful tips on how to best maintain your reefer trailer. 

Fueling Up

The refrigeration unit on a reefer trailer is powered by the fuel in the truck’s gas tank. Any issue that your semi-truck’s fuel system develops will likely spread to the trailer. That’s why you should take a look at the reefer trailer’s fuel system whenever you do an inspection of your truck’s fuel system. 

## Replace the Parts When Required 

One good way to ensure that your reefer trailer lasts as long as possible and functions properly is to regularly swap out any older parts for new ones. We recommend changing your reefer trailer’s belts and hoses every 1,500 hours of operation or sooner. This will help reduce the chances of the refrigeration system failing mid-ride. Consult your owner’s manual if you’re not sure how frequently you should replace your reefer trailer’s parts.  

Pre-Trip Inspection

The occasional pre-trip inspection can catch simple maintenance issues before they have a chance to get worse. Be sure to inspect the engine, tire pressure, trailer body, lights, belts, and hoses. You should also check the compressor for oil leakage and run the temperature control panel through the entire cycle just to make sure that everything is functioning as it should. 

Shop reefer trailers at Utility Trailer of Washington. Visit us online or at our dealerships in Auburn, Mt. Vernon, and Richland, Washington. We also have mobile locations operating out of Moses Lake, Wenatchee, Centralia, Tacoma, and Yakima, Washington, as well as Anchorage, Alaska. We hope to see you soon!