Reefer dispatch that counts what the unit costs to run
A reefer pays more than a dry van, and it costs more to own and run. Our reefer dispatchers check every load against the full cost of the trailer and the refrigeration unit, then negotiate the rate and handle the temperature paperwork.
$2.61
DAT national average reefer spot linehaul rate per mile, August 2026, fuel surcharge excluded. Your lanes will pay more or less than this.
The reefer cost stack
Enter your tractor and reefer trailer payments, what the unit burns and how many hours it runs, plus your rate and miles. Toggle the unit on and off to see how much of the rate it eats. Fuel burn and upkeep differ by unit, so use your own numbers.
- Tractor payment$2,100
- Trailer payment$1,150
- Unit fuel$936
- Unit upkeep$250
- Revenue after fee$22,316
Left after payments
$17,880
Unit cost per loaded mile
$0.13
Fuel, insurance and other running costs still come out of what is left. EXAMPLE numbers; fee 5% of gross. Rate source: DAT Freight & Analytics monthly report for August 2026, released 2026-09-15.
Plan the fuel side of a trip with the trip fuel cost calculator before you accept a long run.
Reefer vs dry van: what the extra rate has to pay for
In August 2026, the DAT national averages put reefer spot linehaul $0.42 a mile above dry van. That gap is not all profit. Here is what refrigerated truck dispatch has to account for:
| Dry van | Reefer | |
|---|---|---|
| National spot linehaul, August 2026 | $2.19 | $2.61 |
| Trailer | Box only | Box plus refrigeration unit |
| Extra running cost | None from the trailer | Unit fuel and unit service |
| Claim risk | Damage and shortage | Also temperature claims on the whole load |
| Paperwork | BOL and POD | Plus temperature settings and pulp checks |
Source: DAT Freight & Analytics monthly report for August 2026, released 2026-09-15 (national average spot linehaul rate per mile, fuel surcharge excluded), checked 2026-10
Temperature and claims: where reefer loads go wrong
Most reefer claims start before the truck moves. The setting on the bill of lading does not match the shipper's instructions, the product was loaded warm, or the unit was set to cycle when the load needed continuous air. Any of those can turn a full load into a claim.
Before you load, we confirm the set point, continuous or cycle mode and any pulp temperature checks with the broker, and we flag it if the shipper's paperwork disagrees. Keep the reefer temperature guide by commodity handy for a quick check at the dock.
On the road, keep the unit download or a log of temperatures. If a receiver rejects a load, that record is what protects you.
Reefer freight we book
Our reefer dispatcher looks for loads that fit your unit and your lanes:
- Produce out of growing regions in season, with the backhaul planned before you go
- Frozen food between plants and distribution centers
- Dairy and meat on regular grocery lanes
- Temperature-protected freight in winter that only needs to stay above freezing
What our reefer dispatcher handles
Refrigerated truck dispatch is more than finding a load. The temperature details decide whether you get paid. We take care of:
- Load searches on the boards and with our produce and grocery broker contacts
- Rate negotiation against the full cost of running the unit
- Set point, continuous or cycle mode, and pulp check requirements confirmed in writing
- Appointment setting and check calls
- Lumper and detention terms on the rate con
- A weekly report of loads, miles, rate per mile and gross
Produce season and the backhaul problem
Reefer freight follows the harvest. In season, outbound loads from growing regions can pay well, but the trucks that rushed in to get them all need a way out, and some areas offer little freight back. A reefer dispatcher who books the outbound load without planning the return can leave you deadheading hundreds of miles.
We look at what moves out of the delivery area before we book the load in. When the return looks weak, we tell you, and we compare the round trip, not just the first leg.
Straight answers for reefer owners
Will you book loads my unit cannot hold?
No. Tell us your unit's range and whether it handles frozen and continuous air. We only offer loads that fit it, and we confirm the set point with the broker before you load.
Can I run dry freight in the reefer when rates are low?
Yes, with the unit off. Some owners do that to stay moving between good reefer loads. We look at both and tell you which pays more on your lane that week.
Questions to ask any reefer dispatcher
Reefer mistakes cost whole loads. Ask any dispatcher these before you sign:
Do you confirm the set point in writing?. The temperature, mode and pulp checks should be on the rate con.
Do you plan the backhaul before booking?. A produce load out is only half a trip.
Who signs the rate con?. You should, in your company name, after you have seen the temperature terms.
How do you help with a rejected load?. Ask what support you get with the broker and your temperature records.
What is the fee charged on?. Gross, linehaul only or flat. Get the basis in writing.
Winter loads and protect-from-freeze freight
In cold months, some freight that rides dry in summer needs a reefer to keep it from freezing: beverages, paint, some chemicals and certain foods. These loads run with the unit set to heat rather than cool, and they can fill the slow weeks after produce season ends.
We look for that freight when it fits your lanes, and we confirm the minimum temperature in writing, the same way we do for a frozen load.
Every reefer load is yours to accept or refuse
- 1Dispatcher finds and negotiates
- 2Broker sends the rate con to you
- 3You sign it, or you say no
We bring you the lane, the rate, the temperature and the appointment. If you take it, the broker sends the rate con to your email in your company name, and you sign it yourself.
If the set point or the pickup window does not suit your unit or your hours, say no. It costs you nothing, and we keep looking.
Reefer dispatch pricing
The fee is the same as for every other rig: 7% of gross while your MC is under 6 months, then 5% for one truck or 4% for two or more. The higher reefer rate does not change our percentage.
No setup fee, no minimum, month-to-month. Details on the pricing page.
- 7%MC under 6 months, any fleet size
- 5%1 truck, MC 6+ months
- 4%2+ trucks on one MC, MC 6+ months
- Of gross load revenue. No setup fee, no minimums, month-to-month, 30 days notice, no haul no pay.
Reefer dispatch questions
How much does reefer dispatch cost?
How much does a reefer trailer cost?
Do reefer loads pay more than dry van?
Can a new MC get reefer loads?
Who pays lumper fees on reefer loads?
Do I have to take the loads you find?
Make the reefer rate pay for the reefer
Tell us your unit, your lanes and your floor rate. A dispatcher calls you back.