Reefer freight

Reefer Freight Guide for Owner-Operators

Reefer freight can carry tighter operating constraints than standard Dry Van freight. Carriers should confirm temperature-sensitive requirements, pickup and delivery appointments, waiting risk, accessorial terms, equipment fit and the complete load economics before approval.

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What to understand before you decide.

Confirm freight requirements

Temperature-sensitive loads may include commodity-specific instructions and operating requirements that must be clear before acceptance.

Treat appointments seriously

Reefer pickups and deliveries can be highly time-sensitive, so appointment windows and waiting risk matter to the load decision.

Review waiting and accessorial terms

Understand how detention, lumper charges, layover or other accessorial situations are documented and handled under the specific load agreement.

Compare all-mile economics

Include deadhead and time when comparing Reefer opportunities instead of relying only on loaded rate per mile.

Verify broker and setup information

Identity, authority, paperwork and operational requirements should be reviewed before the carrier commits.

Preserve carrier control

The carrier should receive enough information to approve or pass on the opportunity based on its real operating constraints.

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Apex public position

No forced dispatch.

Apex presents opportunities, supports negotiation and paperwork, and leaves the final load decision with the carrier.

Carrier reviews the load
Carrier approves or passes
Apex supports execution after approval