Temperature controlled

This answer is a two-part answer as Bison provides both refrigerated services and heated services.  

Heated service – Will protect your freight from freezing in colder climates by keeping the trailer temperature at a temperature well above freezing. In extreme conditions -25C and below it is cautioned that it does increase the risk to the freight, so transit is highly suggested to be DC to delivery and avoid sitting in frigid locations.  

Refrigerated service – Although the name is refrigerated, a transport refrigeration unit (TRU) is a very versatile piece of equipment. It will be able to provide a temp-maintained environment that can ship frozen freight all the way to shipping something in ambient temperature 60F and above. If a product needs a precise and consistent temperature, then a refrigeration unit is the suggested mode of transport. 

Food and beverages products: meat, dairy, produce, fresh juices 

Pharmaceuticals: vaccines, medication and general everyday medical products 

Flowers and plants: Refrigeration maintains the freshness and viability of flowers and plants through transit. 

Other various commodities: Shipping on a reefer trailer allows to move any product requiring a temperature-controlled environment. One unique commodity that can be moved is bee hives, as you can control an environment where they can be shipped in a state of hibernation, though Bison does not do this. It is an example of the versatility of this piece of equipment and its capabilities. 

Each one of Bison’s units are equipped with satellite GPS that reports geographic co-ordinates and critical temperature and reefer operating information. This is monitored by a team 24/7. 

Continuous: The unit will provide a continuous cycle of air flow into the unit and run a cool cycling as it is needed. The exception to this is we do not run frozen goods on continuous operation, this is for fuel efficiency purposes.  

Cycle: The reefer will cycle between on and off while in transit and will operate based off a carrier’s specific profile of how the unit is set up to run. For example, at Bison we have a minimum run time every hour of 15 minutes to ensure a cooling/heating cycle is ran frequently through the day. This differs from a traditional cycle where a temperature variance is used for the unit to run its cycle routine.  

Note: A heater unit will not operate the same. If the box of a heater is above 50F the unit will not run. It will only run when the box drops below 50F and until it reaches 55F and will then turn itself off. In very frigid temperatures a heated unit will run with more frequency.  

The cost varies depending on factors such as distance, temperature requirements, and the type of vehicle. Generally, refrigerated transport costs more than standard freight due to the added refrigeration and monitoring equipment 

With dry van freight, the loading, shipping and unloading process is similar across most products. That is not true in reefer trucking — different commodities can have very different refrigerated shipping requirements (particularly produce). 

To ensure a chain of product integrity and to avoid costly product claims, both shippers and carriers need to: 

• Understand the commodity 

• Ask plenty of questions if unsure 

• Over-communicate and document the specific product requirements 

• Know exactly how it needs to be cooled, loaded, transported and delivered 

If a shipment has been delayed and Bison customer service has not contacted you prior. Please be in touch with your customer service or account manager to get information regarding your shipment. 

Taking product temperatures and documenting product condition is required for the next steps. Intention of what the intent with product will need to be declared. Our refrigerated and claims team can work through the process with clients on how to properly treat any temperature discrepancies with product.  

We do a full reefer service and inspection every 9 months along with the trailer CVIP. If a unit needs to be repaired while on the road, we are able to leverage the network of OEM dealerships to complete necessary repairs. We also have a network of shops located nationwide in Canada in Langley, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Mississauga with licensed reefer techs. 

Yes, each region at Bison has wash facilities, or contracted wash companies to come out and sanitize all temperature-controlled trailers needing to be loaded with perishables. 

Yes, the temperature control trailers can be used as a trailer. There is some added weight for heaters (approx. 700 lbs) and reefers (approx. 2,000 lbs), and a reefer will have a chute running down the roof that can limit double stacking.