Everything You Need to Know About Reefer Temperature Ranges

Tags: Fleet management, Reefer

Reefer Temp Ranges at a Glance

• Standard reefer trailer temperature ranges run from from approximately -20F to 80F, depending on the unit and cargo requirements. 
• Most refrigerated trailers operate between -10°F and 60°F, covering everything from frozen goods to temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals.
• For highly specialized loads like cryogenics or some chemical compounds, reefer container temperature ranges can dip as low as -85°F.

Why Reefer Temps Matter

Hauling perishable freight means more than just staying cool. Whether you’re running fresh produce across state lines or deep-frozen seafood coast to coast, precise reefer temperatures are key to staying FDA-compliant and keeping product integrity intact.

Reefers are designed to hold a target temperature, not cool down warm goods. Loading product that is above the set point temperature can result in frozen evaporators and other issues with your refrigeration system. That’s why pre-cooling cargo and calibrating your trailer in advance is critical.

A diesel-powered refrigeration unit, mounted on the front of the trailer, controls internal temps and may support multi-zone cooling. That flexibility allows mixed freight like meat and greens to ride in the same load at different temps.

Bottom line? If you’re moving temperature-sensitive cargo, the reefer temp range matters. Here’s what to know before you haul.

Cargo Types and Reefer Temperatures

At the core of every reefer trailer is a diesel-powered compressor that maintains internal temperature. It keeps freight stable across a wide reefer temperature range, making it possible to haul everything from frozen meat to temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals even when freezing temps aren’t needed.

In cold chain logistics, temperature control isn’t optional—it’s regulated. The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), rolled out in 2017, emphasizes prevention over reaction. That means any reefer unit used for food or pharmaceutical transport must hold steady temps, meet documentation requirements, and avoid cross-contamination risks.

Before booking a reefer trailer rental or expanding your fleet, double-check that the trailer can support the temperature your cargo needs, especially if you’re hauling regulated goods like meat, produce, or medicine. The sections below break down the recommended reefer temps by cargo type.

Produce

Produce is one of the most common and most sensitive types of freight shipped in reefer trailers. Because it’s headed for consumption, temperature consistency is critical for both safety and shelf appeal.

Visual quality matters just as much as freshness. Grocery buyers expect crisp greens and vibrant fruit, not wilted, bruised, or soggy goods. To hit those standards, you need more than cooling power—you need compliance. Clean trailers, proper documentation, and FSMA-aligned reefer temperature settings all play a role in proper produce transport.

There’s no universal temp for produce. Some items bruise or rot in heat, while others tolerate higher ranges. Here’s a quick breakdown of general reefer truck temperature ranges for common produce:

• 32˚F – 36˚F: greens, berries, apples, cruciferous vegetables, grapes, stone fruits
  
• 38˚F – 40˚F: avocados, cranberries
  
• 40˚F – 45˚F: potatoes, green beans, sweet potatoes
  
• 45˚F – 50˚F: watermelons, cucumbers, citrus, bananas, tomatoes

Know your load: Variety, season, ripeness, and packaging all impact what reefer temp you should set.

Reefers are built for this kind of job. Drivers can fine-tune temps in transit, but even a few degrees off can lead to spoilage. Precision matters, and regular monitoring is part of the job.

Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dairy

The biggest risk when transporting meat and dairy is bacterial growth. To stay safe, reefer temperatures should hold steady at 40˚F or below; that’s the line where bacteria can start multiplying fast.

Many meat shipments are fully frozen to preserve quality over longer hauls. Freezing slows molecular activity and halts microbial growth, making it the go-to method for long-distance delivery. Once thawed, the product can be safely displayed or processed.

Always confirm your reefer truck temperature range before loading. Temperature zones within a single trailer can allow for mixed loads, but each zone must be set and verified based on cargo type. Even a few degrees off can cause spoilage or trigger regulatory issues.

Pharmaceuticals

Food isn’t the only cargo that needs strict temperature control. Pharmaceutical shipments depend on highly stable conditions to maintain chemical integrity. A swing of just two degrees can cause sedimentation, separation, or loss of potency.

Some drugs only need to be kept cool. Others must stay deep frozen or even cryogenically stored. Here’s a look at common reefer trailer temperature ranges for pharmaceuticals:

• Room temperature: 68˚F to 77˚F (20˚C to 25˚C)
  
• Refrigerated: 36˚F to 46˚F (2˚C to 8˚C)
  
• Cryogenic: Below 32˚F (0˚C), down to -238˚F (-150˚C) for specialized compounds

Before shipping, cross-check storage requirements with the manufacturer and follow all regulatory guidance. Choosing the right reefer temperature for the job can prevent costly waste and avoid compliance headaches.

Plants & Florals

Like produce, plants and florals rely on cool, stable environments to stay fresh. Excess heat can cause wilting, browning, or full loss of the load, making it unsellable on arrival.

Reefer trailers function much like the floral coolers in grocery stores. For most florals, the ideal reefer temperature is around 33˚F. Just a few degrees warmer, and the deterioration rate spikes quickly.

Humidity control is another key factor. Once plants or flowers are cut, they begin to lose moisture immediately. Without the right environment, that moisture loss accelerates. Fortunately, many reefers now feature both temperature and humidity control, helping preserve appearance and shelf life all the way to delivery.

Reefer Trailer Best Practices

Before reefer trailers, hauling perishables more than 50 miles was a gamble. Today, over 500,000 reefers are on U.S. roads, helping move the bulk of America’s temperature-sensitive freight safely.

Whether you’re renting, buying, or leasing a unit, following a few key practices can help you protect your cargo and your bottom line:

• Know your cargo’s requirements: Temperature, transit time, and sensitivity matter. Pharma loads, for example, often have strict timing and reefer temperature needs.
  
• Plan for loading and unloading: How goods are staged and moved affects temperature stability. Pre-cool the trailer, and prioritize sensitive cargo.
  
• Monitor temps constantly: Loading product that is above the set point temperature can result in frozen evaporators and other issues with your refrigeration system, but drivers still need to watch the data. Reefer temperature monitoring is part of the job.
  
• Cool continuously: Products like produce and flowers generate heat as they ripen. Setting the reefer unit to continuous operation mode and opening the trailer vents will allow a constant flow of cool, fresh air. This will prevent the buildup of warm air and humidity and will preserve quality though delivery

Telematics Options

Telematics can give reefer operators quick access to their units settings and controls, streamlining both reefer temperature settings and data monitoring.

Setpoint, box temperature, fuel levels, operating mode, and more can be viewed and altered from your telematics profile. This provides real-time assurance that your product is safe and a warning when it is outside of the optimal parameters.

Telematics packages provide assurance for the driver, but also the transportation and logistics teams behind them. A transportation manager can monitor their product and assure their customers that the product was shipped in a consistently safe and optimal environment. Setting up alert triggers will provide the transportation and logistics professional real-time warnings when their product is subjected to inopportune conditions.

These systems are often monitored and controlled from a webpage or even a mobile application, which can be more convenient than inputting controls on the unit’s control panel.

Reefer Trailer Rentals

With the growing demand for temperature-sensitive freight, reefer trailers remain one of the most in-demand assets in logistics. Whether you’re a fleet manager, owner-operator, or logistics coordinator, deciding between renting and buying depends on your cargo and route needs.

Here are a few points to weigh:

• Meat and produce shipments never slow down. Renting gives you flexibility without tying up capital.
  
• Hauling both dry and refrigerated loads? A reefer gives you dual capability that a dry van can’t match.
  
• Shipping regions matter. Meat moves heavy through the Midwest, while produce dominates on the West Coast. Route dictates your reefer temperature range needs.
  

If renting is the right move, Hale Trailer has one of the largest inventories of reefer trailer rentals, available at most of our East Coast locations.

New and Used Trailers to Meet Your Fleet Needs

With locations across the country, Hale Trailer Brake & Wheel, Inc. is one of the largest independent trailer dealerships in North America. We offer a wide selection of new and used reefer trailers, along with parts and service, to support every aspect of your fleet.

Whether you’re expanding capacity or replacing aging equipment, our reefer trailer inventory includes models for every type of cargo and budget.

Need help finding the right fit? Reach out to your nearest Hale location. Our team is ready to help you get the right trailer, fast.