Over-specifying adds unnecessary cost. Under-specifying risks product loss. Here's a practical framework for matching your freight to the right equipment — and avoiding both mistakes.
In This Guide
What It Means
Equipment selection should reflect the written product requirements, seasonal conditions and shipment. Unnecessary equipment may add cost; insufficient capability may expose products to conditions outside their instructions. Rates and insurance terms are shipment-specific.
What Each Trailer Type Does
- Dry van: an enclosed trailer without active temperature control. Protects freight from direct weather exposure but tracks ambient temperatures over time — warming in summer, cooling in winter.
- Reefer: an enclosed trailer with an active temperature-control unit. Actual heating or cooling capability depends on the equipment, load and operating conditions; no fixed numeric range defines every shipment.
- Heated trailer: a trailer with a heating unit for protect-from-freeze applications without requiring refrigeration. Less common than reefers but sometimes the appropriate choice.
Why It Matters
- Using dry van for temperature-sensitive freight creates product loss risk with limited insurance recovery
- Unnecessary equipment can add cost; compare shipment-specific quotes rather than assuming a universal premium
- Canadian winters create a specific 'protect from freeze' scenario many shippers handle incorrectly
- Some freight appears temperature-insensitive but has specific requirements — always verify before booking
How It Works
Equipment Decision Framework
- Does the product have a manufacturer-specified temperature requirement? → Use reefer, specify the set point exactly
- Will the product be damaged by freezing in Canadian winter? → Use heated trailer or reefer at minimum positive temperature
- Is the freight shelf-stable with no stated temperature sensitivity? → Dry van is likely appropriate
- Is it summer and could heat damage the product (chocolate, certain beverages, adhesives)? → Consider reefer even without a stated refrigeration requirement
- Is the freight cannabis requiring chain-of-custody and temperature control per your SOP? → Reefer with specified set point
Product-Specific Instructions
- Ask the product owner for the required range and Celsius or Fahrenheit units
- Confirm chilled, refrigerated, frozen, heated, freeze-protected or controlled-ambient requirements
- Confirm operating mode, pre-cooling and handling requirements for the specific product
- Do not treat broad commodity categories as universal transport temperatures
Common Challenges
- Booking reefer by default for products that don't require it — common in cannabis shipping
- Using dry van for products that should be temperature-controlled due to perceived cost savings
- Running a reefer at 'ambient' (unit off) for protect-from-freeze shipments — provides no protection
- Specifying incorrect temperature set point leading to product damage
- Not accounting for seasonal conditions when selecting equipment type
Best Practices
- Verify temperature requirements with your manufacturer or quality assurance team — never assume
- Specify the set point in writing when booking — don't leave equipment operation to carrier discretion
- For winter cross-country freight, consider protect-from-freeze set points even for products without a stated refrigeration requirement
- Understand the rate differential for your lanes and build it into your annual freight budget
- Review equipment decisions annually as your freight mix and seasonal risk profile change
When to Use This Service
Use Reefer For:
- Fresh produce, dairy, meat, and seafood
- Pharmaceuticals with temperature specifications
- Cannabis products where temperature control is required by your SOP
- Frozen goods
- Fresh flowers and plants
- Any freight where a temperature deviation causes product loss or compliance failure
Use Dry Van For:
- Packaged shelf-stable food
- General merchandise and consumer goods
- Building materials and industrial equipment
- Non-temperature-sensitive packaged goods in moderate weather
OTR sources equipment around shipper-provided instructions. Reefer, dry van, heated or multi-temperature options depend on the shipment, lane, carrier capability and capacity; availability is not guaranteed.
Read temperature-controlled freight guides, the temperature-controlled quote checklist and our food and beverage freight service.
Planning references only—not legal advice, food-safety certification, product-disposition or carrier approval, substitutes for shipper SOPs or product-owner instructions, or guarantees of shelf life or product condition. Confirm written instructions with the responsible parties.
Numerical commodity examples are general references, not universal transport temperatures or shipment instructions. Follow the product owner’s, shipper’s and receiver’s current requirements.
Official food-transport references
CFIA and FDA explain applicable legal requirements and role-based responsibilities, including scope and exceptions. USDA’s historical handbook is technical guidance, not current law. OTR’s checklists and tools are planning recommendations, not compliance certification. Confirm current applicability with the responsible shipper, importer and appointed customs broker.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost difference between reefer and dry van?
The difference depends on lane, equipment, timing, shipment and carrier capacity. Request comparable shipment-specific quotes; there is no universal percentage premium.
Can I use a dry van in winter for protect-from-freeze freight?
A dry van has no active temperature control. Review seasonal exposure with the product owner and use equipment confirmed to meet the written freeze-protection instructions. Do not choose a setpoint from a general guide.
My product says 'store at room temperature.' Do I need temperature-controlled freight?
In most cases, a dry van is sufficient in moderate weather. However, extreme summer heat or winter cold can push dry van interior temperatures outside acceptable ranges. Confirm acceptable temperature ranges with your quality team and consider seasonal risk on your specific lane.
Is a reefer trailer more fuel-intensive than a dry van?
Yes. Reefer trailers consume additional fuel to power the refrigeration unit — typically 1–3 litres per hour for the unit alone. This higher operating cost is part of why reefer rates carry a premium over equivalent dry van loads.
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