Reliable ratings for refrigerated trailers, backed by tested methods.
This overview explains a standard laboratory method designed to measure cooling load as trailers move under real-world conditions. It also compares lab results with road tests to help manufacturers and operators choose better designs and units.
The report describes how a heat sink method can simulate in-service conditions, using controlled interior and exterior temperatures and humidity. It details the test facility, the brine-based cooling system, and how measurements are taken to determine the heat transfer rate and cooling load. Road testing on the Ohio Turnpike highlights factors like air leakage, wind, solar radiation, and undercarriage heating that affect performance.
What you’ll learn
- How cooling load is defined and measured for refrigerated trailers.
- The impact of air leakage and frost on heat transfer and weight gain.
- How laboratory conditions compare with road conditions and why both matter.
- The equipment, procedures, and conditions used to rate trailers for cooling performance.
Ideal for readers of technical standards, engineers, and industry professionals who need practical, verifiable trailer performance data.