Page updated: Jul 7, 2026
Services / Refrigerated
Refrigerated Freight Brokerage (Reefer)
Reefer shipping is temperature-controlled truckload transport for produce, frozen goods and dairy, typically −20°F to 55°F. Exit 8 Corp arranges FSMA-compliant reefer capacity across the lower 48 with pre-cool verification, continuous temp monitoring and a dispatcher who answers at 2 a.m. You tender the load with a setpoint; we put it on a vetted reefer, document the pre-cool on the rate con, and track it to a signed POD. All-in quotes in 30 minutes during business hours.
Reefer at a glance
What does a 53′ reefer carry?
| Equipment | Setpoint range | Capacity | Pallets | Typical commodities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53′ reefer | −20°F to 70°F | 43,500 lbs | 26 | Produce, frozen, dairy, meat, beverage |
| 48′ reefer | −20°F to 70°F | 44,000 lbs | 24 | Regional grocery, foodservice distribution |
| 53′ multi-temp | 2-3 zones | 41,000 lbs | Zone-split | Mixed frozen + chilled grocery, ice cream + dairy |
Working numbers - exact scale weight depends on trailer spec, unit and fuel. We confirm on the rate con.
What do you get on every reefer load?
Not add-ons. Not an upsell tier. This is the baseline.
Pre-cool documented on the rate con
Setpoint and pre-cool confirmation in writing before loading - not a verbal "yeah it's cold."
Temp downloads on request
If a receiver disputes temperature, we pull the reefer unit download. Data settles it, not arguments.
FSMA Sanitary Transportation compliance
Written temperature requirements travel with every load, per the FSMA transport rule.
Produce-season planning
Capacity locked ahead of peak weeks - not begged for during them. We plan your season in advance.
Reefer questions, answered
What does reefer freight cost per mile?
Rates move weekly with produce seasons and diesel. As an example only: recent national reefer spot averages have generally run roughly $2.50-$3.30 per mile all-in, with produce-season lanes above that. Your quote is a firm all-in number for your specific lane and date.
Do you cover frozen, deep-frozen and multi-temp?
Yes. Setpoints down to −20°F for ice cream and deep-frozen, and multi-temp trailers with 2-3 zones for mixed loads. Pre-cool is verified before loading on every one.
What happens if the reefer unit fails in transit?
The dispatcher on duty runs the breakdown protocol: nearest repair, product temp check, and your call on disposition - at any hour. We verify each carrier's reefer breakdown coverage during the insurance live-check, and our contingent cargo policy is $100,000. OS&D gets a response within 24 hours.
How does FSMA apply to brokered reefer loads?
Under the FSMA Sanitary Transportation rule, your temperature requirements must be communicated in writing and followed. We put them on the rate con, confirm the pre-cool, and keep the paper trail - so an audit is a folder, not a fire drill.
Produce season doesn't wait.
Lock reefer capacity before the rush. All-in quote in 30 minutes during business hours.