LTL Shipping: How Less-Than-Truckload Freight Works
Shipping perishable or temperature-sensitive goods can be a challenge. You need to balance freshness, timing, and cost to ensure your freight is delivered on time to the consumer. This is true for cold freight as well as other types of goods that require temperature and environmental controls. So how do you guarantee the best-controlled shipment? Redwood's transportation management approach helps shippers navigate these complex decisions.
There are two types of shipping options for temperature-controlled transport: reefers and fridge boxes. In this blog post, we'll go through both forms, their advantages and disadvantages, and how you can use them for your business.
If you want to also learn about the differences between dry and reefer shipping, read our guide on dry vs. reefer shipping.
What is Reefer LTL?
"Reefer" is the term given to refrigerated trucks with temperature control equipment. These trucks are able to maintain a specific temp range to protect freight from perishing or being exposed to external environmental factors.
What Are the Advantages of Reefer LTL?
Reefers can fit large quantities of goods that are within the same temperature range. This means that an entire truck can be filled with a variety of products, as long as they can be held in the same temperature range. For example, the following could all be transported in a reefer with -10 to 0 degrees Fahrenheit:
- Frozen fish
- Meats
- Veggies
Reefers are best for shipping large quantities of similar goods. As we'll discuss further, you would need multiple fridge boxes to ship larger volumes, while a reefer can fit a higher number of the same or similar products.
What Are the Disadvantages of Reefer LTL?
Reefers are low in supply and high in demand. This means that they can be rare to come by. Furthermore, they can be challenging to schedule because perishable goods require set timelines—a constraint that sets the cold supply chain apart from standard freight. Moreover, LTL reefers are hard to organize because single LTL truckload needs to be filled with products that are in the same temperature range, on the same schedule, going to the same location.
Together, this can create a scheduling calamity for reefers. Oftentimes, LTL reefers will operate on a set schedule, offering few pickup and drop off days for clients.
What Is A Fridge Box?
A fridge box is a temperature-controlled box that can hold 1-2 pallets of product. These boxes can be loaded on to a dry trailer and still maintain temperature protection for sensitive freight. These have tight controls and are usually able to maintain a temperature within 1 degree for up to 5 days.
What Are the Advantages of Fridge Box Shipping?
Fridge boxes are easier to maintain a specific temperature than reefers. This precise control of freight has been shown to reduce losses significantly. In this way, fridge boxes are often used for the transport of pharmaceuticals and medicines.
Fridge boxes also help to overcome scheduling constraints. Because fridge boxes are portable, they can be loaded on a dry truck or van and condensed with dissimilar types of shipment. This means LTL transport companies don't need to worry about filling their truck with goods that are all of the same temperature range. It also means that loading and unloading can be faster since dry shipment loading allows for a "drop and hook" load system.
Thus, fridge boxes tend to be less expensive than reefers because they don't require fully equipped trucks. This helps alleviate the concerns of the supply and demand of traditional reefers.
Both reefers and fridge boxes can offer real-time tracking and data monitoring. This allows customers and LTL facilitators to ensure:
- Temperature control
- GPS location
- An estimated schedule with arrival time
What Are the Disadvantages of Fridge Box Shipping?
Fridge boxes can usually only hold 1 to 2 pallets of goods per box. This means that they're best for smaller quantities of temperature-controlled goods per shipment. While fridge boxes are usually more economical, they can also be pricier in some cases since they take up a large portion of dry trailer space.
Final Thoughts
There's no definitive answer whether reefer or fridge box is better. The efficiency and price of your temperature-controlled freight will depend on the shipment's size, contents, and schedule. Through Redwood's Modern 4PL approach and RedwoodConnect technology integration, you can access both reefers and fridge boxes to find the solution that best fits your needs. Our team works with you to evaluate your shipment requirements and connect you with the right temperature-controlled options, ensuring your goods arrive fresh and on time.
FAQs
What is the difference between a reefer and a fridge box for LTL shipping?
A reefer is a refrigerated truck with built-in temperature control, while a fridge box is a temperature-controlled box that can be loaded onto a dry trailer or van. Reefers are better for larger volumes of goods held at the same temperature, while fridge boxes are better for smaller shipments that need tighter temperature control. The right choice depends on shipment size, contents, and schedule.
When should you use a reefer for LTL shipping instead of a fridge box?
A reefer is usually the better fit when you need to move larger quantities of similar products at the same temperature. It can hold more freight in one shipment, which makes it practical for items like frozen fish, meats, and vegetables. Reefers are less ideal for mixed freight or highly flexible scheduling because they often require a full load with matching temperature needs and timing.
When is a fridge box a better choice for LTL cold shipping?
A fridge box is a better choice when you are shipping one to two pallets and need precise temperature control. It works well for sensitive freight such as pharmaceuticals and medicines, especially when you want to ship on a dry trailer without needing a full reefer. Fridge boxes also help when your freight schedule is more flexible or mixed with other shipment types.
Are fridge boxes cheaper than reefer LTL shipping?
Fridge boxes are often less expensive than reefers because they do not require fully equipped refrigerated trucks. They also help avoid some of the supply and demand issues that make reefers harder to source. That said, a fridge box can be more expensive in some cases if it takes up a large share of dry trailer space, so total shipment economics still matter.
How long can a fridge box keep freight at temperature?
A fridge box can usually maintain temperature within 1 degree for up to 5 days. That tight control is one reason it is used for sensitive products that cannot tolerate temperature swings. The exact performance still depends on shipment handling, but the article positions fridge boxes as the more precise option for smaller cold shipments.
Why are reefer LTL shipments harder to schedule?
Reefer LTL shipments are harder to schedule because the load must match on temperature range, timing, and destination. Since reefer capacity is low in supply and high in demand, pickup and delivery windows can be limited. Many reefer LTL moves operate on set schedules with fewer pickup and drop-off days, which reduces flexibility for shippers.
Can both reefers and fridge boxes provide tracking and temperature monitoring?
Yes, both reefers and fridge boxes can offer real-time tracking and data monitoring. That visibility helps shippers confirm temperature control, GPS location, and estimated arrival times. For temperature-sensitive freight, this tracking supports better oversight and makes it easier to manage risk during transit.
