Protect Your Shipments from Freeze

Posted & filed under Full Truckload.

When it’s winter in North America, it brings many challenges to the trucking industry. Several of the products that are shipped cross-country require Protection From Freeze (PFF) in the winter months. These products include liquids, produce, perishable foods, batteries, and paint. To reduce the risk of potential claims, take the time to ensure these products are protected from the winter elements. Doing this can be well worth the additional costs to ship. Let’s explore some of the options for protecting your products from freezing during transit.

Refrigerated Trailers (Reefers)

Reefers are specifically designed to carry perishable freight at specific temperatures. These trailers allow you to control the temperature in the van to prevent your products from freezing. Newer versions of reefer trailers will keep an electronic log, allowing carriers to monitor the temperature of the trailer throughout the entire transit time. Shippers and customers can request to review the log to monitor temperatures. This is the most reliable option to protect from freeze.

Heated Dry Vans

Heated dry vans provide an alternative solution to transporting products that are susceptible to freeze. While not as reliable as reefers, they do add extra support to protect products from freezing. It’s best to avoid using heated dry vans in extreme cold temperatures, because maintaining a consistent temperature throughout the entire trailer is difficult. Product near the rear of the trailer could still see the effects of freezing if the outside temperatures are cold enough.

Idling Trucks

When shipping liquid products that require PFF, and a reefer or a heated van isn’t available, check the temperatures of the truck route. Dry van shipping can be considered if temperatures don’t drop below 15 degrees Fahrenheit, but there is still risk involved. If you choose this option, the driver should never turn off the vehicle. The vibration of the engine should keep liquids product from freezing.

Expedite the Shipment

If a driver doesn’t have the equipment to protect from freeze, the driver could drive straight through from the shipper to the receiver. If the route is shorter, the expedited shipping could protect from freezing the product. This, again, is helpful if the product is liquid.

Heated Storage Areas or Warehouses

Heated storage is helpful to drivers that take cross country back hauls where the delivery location is located close to their home base. If using a dry van in freezing conditions and the driver can’t idle the truck, this is a good option. There are large warehouses that can fit trucks and trailers for overnight parking. Check with your carrier to see if this is an option to protect your product from freeze.

The best way to protect from freeze is to communicate with your carrier and understand your options. Carriers have extensive experience in shipping product that is susceptible to freezing, and they can make the proper suggestions. This will allow your product to arrive in its original condition, and avoid damages or loss.

 

 

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The England Logistics Temp-Controlled LTL division offers a range of services to best fit your needs. Our tailored loads and 24/7 customer service will guarantee your refrigerated shipment will arrive in an efficient and timely manner. The England Logistics team is prepared to get your loads where they need to go by offering reliable support, coast-to-cost services and competitive rates.. Learn about Temp-Controlled LTL’s Customer Experience Initiative HERE.