Produce season is getting into full swing. That means there’s never been a more important time to be thinking about your refrigerated fleet’s tires.
Produce season is one of the most profitable times for refrigerated (or “reefer”) fleets. Starting in February, demand for refrigerated trailers surges as stores try to get seasonal produce on their shelves.
But like all reefer deliveries, shipping produce is a delicate, high-speed process. Produce has strict delivery deadlines for optimal freshness. The ripening process generates heat, which has to be mitigated with continual cooling. A series of delays — or even one major delay — can spoil your entire shipment.
How Your Tires Threaten Refrigerated Deliveries
Reefer deliveries require attention to every detail. But many drivers miss one of the key factors they can control: tire pressure.
Improperly-inflated tires create drag, dramatically reducing fuel economy. Drivers compensate by making more fuel stops, losing precious time along the route. And it gets worse.
Both over- and underinflated tires create uneven tread wear, requiring more frequent tire changes. But an underinflated tire can be especially insidious. In these cases, the steel belt and polyester cords inside will rub against each other. Then, heat builds up until the rubber falls apart and the tire is destroyed in a blowout.
Not only are these situations dangerous, but they also create significant delays. With each stop for fuel or repairs, the driver must use more fuel to keep the refrigerated trailer cool. Meanwhile, there’s a growing risk that the shipment will spoil and the fleet will have to eat the costs.
Many drivers rely on tire thumpers to ensure their tires are inflated, but this antiquated process doesn’t provide any actual tire pressure data. A tire that passes this limited inspection can still be dangerously under-inflated, and once drivers are on the road, they have little warning before a tire goes flat. When a refrigerated delivery is on the line, drivers need quick access to the most accurate data.
TPMS Gets You There Sooner
Doran 360HDTM TPMS provides accurate tire pressure and temperature data at the press of a button. Wireless sensors installed on each valve stem constantly communicate with an in-cab LCD display. This allows drivers to instantaneously check data for every tire position. And a “Green Means GoodTM” indicator light offers at-a-glance confirmation that all tires are properly inflated.
The savings in time and fuel are immediate. Instead of wasting time thumping or gauging tires, drivers see tire and temperature data as soon as they turn on their trucks. Optimal tire pressure increases fuel economy, saving drivers from frequent fuel stops. And real-time pressure alerts for leaks, low tire pressure, and high temperatures prevent catastrophic tire failures.
All of this allows drivers to get to their destinations faster. They save on fuel for the truck and the refrigeration of the trailer. And because their tire tread wears evenly, they also prevent unnecessary road calls.
Plus, we designed Doran 360HDTM TPMS to withstand weather changes and extremes of the road from coast to coast. Each sensor contains a three-piece seal to maximize valve core depression and minimize potential leaks. And our encapsulation process uses high-grade materials for airtight construction of the sensors. You can send your fleet out on the road with confidence, knowing Doran 360HDTM TPMS can handle any challenge you throw at it.
Get Your Free Consultation
Whether you’re shipping produce or any other refrigerated goods, a TPMS can increase your efficiency and your bottom line. Connect with us to learn more about Doran 360HDTM TPMS and how it can work for your refrigerated fleet. We’d love to hear from you!
