Temperature controlled deliveries entails special trucking considerations.
The type of cargo truckers deliver often incurs additional considerations. With climate-sensitive goods, temperature-controlled deliveries are necessary to protect the integrity of the products. A trucker can follow proper trucking safety to get the cargo where it needs to be, but like other types of specialized trucking, temperature-controlled deliveries require more care. How do truck drivers keep their cool when they need to keep their cargo cool? Here are some things truckers consider when fulfilling temperature-controlled deliveries.
Temperature Controlled Products
Temperature-controlled deliveries are required for several products and industries. The main one that comes to mind is perishable food items. Produce needs to stay fresh in transit, sometimes through long hauls. Raw meat that gets delivered to restaurants, butchers, or grocery stores needs to remain at acceptable temperatures so that it’s safe for consumption. Meal delivery or catering companies need to make temperature-controlled deliveries too. A prime example would be school districts coordinating daily breakfast or lunch meal deliveries.
Non-food items also require controlled climates. Pharmaceutical products need to be stored and shipped in controlled temperatures to ensure the effectiveness of the drugs. Florists want their flower arrangements delivered in a climate-controlled vehicle to maintain peak freshness and prevent wilting.
Transit Logistics
In making a temperature-controlled delivery, more logistical factors come into play. Refrigerated freights will fit less cargo because the trailer is outfitted with temperature control equipment and insulation. Truckers need to account for the extra weight of their freight. The trucker needs clear instructions on what temperature the cargo needs to maintain throughout transit. A temperature tracking device should be found on refrigerated trucks. At the place of delivery, see if the freight should be unloaded at temperature-controlled docks.
Proper Loading and Packaging
The trailer should maintain the acceptable temperature before products get loaded. For some products, additional insulated packaging might be beneficial. Foam or reflective packaging preserves the cold and prevents heat from seeping in. Package the products with gel coolants, dry ice, or wet ice. Dry ice requires specific identifying and packaging rules to be followed. Wet ice can still melt in transit, and be added weight. At the site of delivery, wait until the last possible moment before opening the trailer door and unload quickly. Even opening the door for a moment can drastically change the controlled temperature within the trailer.
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