What Is Heated Trucking?

November 6, 2020
 By USA Refrigerated Freight
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What Is Heated Trucking?
Last Modified: March 15, 2024
Utilizing heated trucking is a great way to take advantage of shipping temperature-controlled freight, no matter the climate outside. Find out how this service can work for you.

Working to get freight delivered on any given day comes with a number of challenges, which includes temperature-controlled freight. In locations where the temperature often dips below freezing, attention in these regions turns to heated trucking to ensure the integrity of products are not compromised while in transit. But what is heated trucking and how can it help shippers? If your freight needs to remain warm, keeping the truckload heated to maximize freshness and effectiveness is a critical step.

Utilizing heated trucking services is an option shippers have come to rely on to maintain goods that are at risk of spoiling if they freeze. Whether it’s a shipment of temperature sensitive chemicals or a perishable crop, it’s important to have state-of-the-art equipment to take out the guesswork and allow carriers to set precise levels to keep freight safe.

Read on to learn more about heated trucking and the impact it can have on your temperature-sensitive freight.

Pallets being loaded for heated trucking to their destination.

What is Heated Trucking by Definition?

If you are wondering what is heated trucking, you’ve come to the right place to understand the service better. Heated trucking is a sector of temperature-controlled shipping that means the freight needs to be kept above a certain level. The carrier assigned to transport the freight will use the bill of lading (BOL) to set the exact temperature required inside the truck for the shipment being loaded.

The shipper needs to make sure to clearly state the temperature that needs to be maintained for the freight. This critical decision should not be left up to the driver or an agent. Any mistakes along the way can damage the shipment and ultimately result in lost revenue for the shipper. A load of fresh picked oranges from Florida grooves in December or January heading north to markets in North Dakota or other frigid locations need to remain warm in comparison to the frigid temps upon delivery. If the fruit is not kept heated, it could mean the shipment is ruined or not taste Florida fresh.

So to keep things heated up from pickup to delivery regardless of the season or the freight route, make sure to specify how hot the temperature needs to be.

It’s advised that shippers need to inquire about the carrier’s equipment to maintain heated trucking service early in the process to make the best selection.

A Glance at Heated Trucking Service

In selecting heated trucking, shippers gain access to a full array of additional value-added services to transport freight coast to coast.

Heated trucking service with R+L Global Logistics provides several levels of checks and balances for shipping freight:

  • Required heat maintained in truck on freight routes
  • Monitoring of temperature-controlled shipment
  • Vast network of carriers and freight routes
  • Expedited shipping

It takes a lot to navigate a freight route, and when adding on the required heated temperature setting, it means there is no room for delay or errors.

A heated semi truck driving down a snowy road

Sizing Up Heated Trucking Services

There are a number of commodities and other goods that require transport in a heated truck. The time of year, the shipment and where it’s being delivered all factor into heated trucking.

A quick list of shipments requiring heated service include:

Imagine if a shipment of lubricant freezes and then thaws. The chemical compounds of that product have changed in the freezing and thawing process, rendering it ineffective for use and thus meaning money is lost. This is what ensures heated trucking is available and matched with the right shipment.

It’s not just about loading freight and giving no thought to the condition of the goods. In essence, this is irresponsible and shippers need to partner with a carrier who is able to advocate and protect freight during transit. So as the time arrives to coordinate the logistics of a truckload of chemicals, heated trucking services are the best solution to ensure safe arrival anywhere in the continental U.S.

Typically, mid to late fall months like October to November through mid to late spring to March and April are often peak times for the need of heated trucking service. And shippers along with logistics agents keep a close eye on weather patterns, which also impact freight shipping.

For instance, if a load of produce travels slower than normal and the truck is on the road longer, it could mean the freight is exposed to extremely cold temperatures and the trailer will need to maintain heat levels until delivery.

Making The Case for Heated Trucking

Temperature-controlled freight shipping takes on a new life with heated trucking service. In this sector, most think of refrigerated shipping and keeping freight cool. However, heated trucking strives for basically the same outcome, to keep the temperature at a certain level to prevent damage before it’s delivered.

As an example, sweet potatoes are a commodity that needs to be shipped in a relatively warm environment of no less than about 55 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it’s freight like this and others that often needs to be expedited on a dedicated route to hit peak shelf life timelines and seasonality.

It’s a delicate balance when it comes to heated trucking. Our team takes the time to listen to shippers and put together a plan that will maximize heated trucking regardless of the final destination. And shippers are able to track their freight 24-hours a day to see exactly where it is in the journey and ensure the temperature is maintained at the correct level mile for mile.

Heated trucks outside a loading=

Seamless Heated Truck Shipping with R+L Global Logistics

Let USA Refrigerated Freight be your trusted partner when shipping temperature-controlled freight. With our extensive experience and commitment to excellence, your goods will arrive at the final destination safely and on time, no matter the temperature. We also offer a range of services designed to meet your specific needs. 

Some of our services include:

  • Meat shipping
  • Produce shipping
  • Vaccine shipping

Fill out your quote if you’re ready to secure transport for your shipment. Our team is also available at (866) 849-2713 if you have any questions or require more information. 

 

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315 NE 14th Street #4122
Ocala, FL 34470

(866) 849-4923
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