Refrigeration Truck conversion

[GadgetGirl]

Has anyone attempted to convert a refrigeration truck into living quarters. I saw a post in one of my van groups about a guy who had one wants to do it, but he says there's a terrible smell inside.  The system is not leaking.  He's not sure if it's the foam insulation off-gassing or the refrigeration system. 

Does anybody here know of anyone that's tried this and might have some advice?

 

[tx2sturgis]

There is not much to go on here, but assuming it's an old 'refer box', the terrible smell might be from mold and mildew in the insulation.

In a worst case scenario, if there are repairs and gaps or uneven seams in the floor or walls, there could be rotting and decaying organic matter in those gaps and holes....pieces of meat, fish, veggies, dead mice, who knows what.....

Maybe it was salvaged because of the smell?

 

[Gr8ful]

I'm quite sure it wan be power washed, painted with Kilz so it'sa great way to get it cheap.

 

[maki2]

Why are you worrying about a smell someone else had? Just go and look at some refridgerator trucks in person. If it smells bad walk away, if there is not a smell then great. Don't buy something without inspecting it yourself or having a trust third party inspect it.

As to keeping it odor free, it is no different than any rig, you need to maintain things like caulking and sealants to keep the water out of them.

 

[Seminole Wind]

while i have not tried converting one, i used to hual them all over the country. they usually have/had a slatted aluminum floor to allow cold air to circulate under the pallets/slippers or what have you. everything you can imagine falls down in those grooves and some drivers/companies are better than others at keeping their trailer cleaned. i pulled some old ratty trailers in the day but never one that had a bad smell. the floors being aluminum would be easy to clean and destink. the walls/sides were usually lined with water proof easy clean materials and should be easy to clean. but if the walls are gouged due to exuberant forklift drivers and lumpers then stink may have permeated the insulation and that might be a good reason to run... buyer be ware

i have always thought a small refer box would make for a good conversion. nice straight walls pre insulated, and if the refer unit is still there and working bam! instant high powered air conditioning...

 

[Weldman]

If you do go looking at these refrigerated trucks be sure to pick the hottest days of the year and day, so any smells will be strongest if there is any.

 

[Seminole Wind]

Why are you worrying about a smell someone else had?  Just go and look at some refridgerator trucks in person. If it smells bad walk away, if there is not a smell then great. Don't buy something without inspecting it yourself or having a trust third party inspect it.

As to keeping it odor free, it is no different than any rig, you need to maintain things like caulking and sealants to keep the water out of them.

someone heard of a bad experience with them and is looking for more input. is that not what this forum is about?

i have to disagree that they are the same as a regular rig. nothing could be further from reality. they constructed significantly different and used differently. with a much higher likely hood of wet perishable product having been transported or spilled inside. if the inner lining has been breached and the icky stinkies have invaded the insulation it can be a completely different ball game. it can often be delt with, but not the same, not by a long shot

 

[tx2sturgis]

Just to be nit-picky: the OP mentioned refrigeration 'truck' in the title and original post, not refrigerated 'trailer'.

That might be what they mean, but we don't really know for sure. A refrigerated truck is usually a delivery truck operated locally, and usually has a small 'refer' unit attached over the cab, or under the belly, and includes the truck chassis.

My previous answer was based on the conditons that either a truck or trailer would, or could, be in, if bought used or salvaged.

One that is old, over-used, or in poor condition might have a variety of organic, structural, or material problems in the box. 

But the nose, 'knows'...I'd stay away unless I really wanted it and it was REALLY cheap.

 

[Seminole Wind]

a commercial refer box on a truck or trailer is going to be much closer in construction then say a standard Uhaul truck. the issues of dealing with smells and other such will relate.

while i am sure there are plenty out there to run away from. there are also some great deals. i have been involved with several used refers purchased to convert to walk in fridge freezers on farms/homesteads. saved a bundle and they are on wheels to move if needed. i can see where they could be the beginning of a nice conversion

 

[tx2sturgis]

I don't generally admit in public that for awhile I was a 'chicken hauler'.....in this case frozen.

No worse way to make a living as a truck driver than hauling perishables in a refer.

:dodgy:

 

[Seminole Wind]

I don't generally admit in public that for awhile I was a 'chicken hauler'.....in this case frozen.

No worse way to make a living as a truck driver than hauling perishables in a refer.

:dodgy:

lol... i dont know. i would still do that than haul toxic waste or maybe explosives. toss up on the explosives

 

[tx2sturgis]

Trust me, hauling toxic waste and explosives, those drivers are generally well-paid, respected, and in demand.

Dispatchers, shippers and receivers for the most part, respect the job those guys do.

Hauling perishables such as mixed veggies, cheese, strawberries, ice cream, milk, boxed beef, melons, potatoes, bananas, frozen fish, fast foods, etc, puts the driver on the lowest level of driver pay and subjects him to constant poor treament, and delays, by dispatchers, shippers, and receivers.

It is generally considered to be entry-level, and it's a lousy way to make a dollar.

 

[Seminole Wind]

i guess, in general you are right. i got lucky and had a sweet gig hauling restaurant food stuffs between warehouses and deliveries. if it was on the menu it went in my truck. most times running split refer/frezer. i liked the challenge, even negotiating a 48' trailer on a supper condo in small bay area towns to deliver. i was getting good cpm (cents per mile... for hdr before he asks) and great miles. damn near my own boss. but i have to admit, that aint the norm.

still aint never going to be enough money or respect to get me hauling seriously hazardous/toxic loads.

i would be down for the serious heavy haul, the multi tractor gigs, that would be a cool challenge.

 

[tx2sturgis]

[font=Tahoma,Verdana,Arial,Sans-Serif]Of course I'm referring to OTR company drivers for common carrier refer operations...that's where the problems crop up. [/font]

[font=Tahoma,Verdana,Arial,Sans-Serif]Local and even regional jobs tend to pay better (at least when figured by the hour) and especially if you drive for a private carrier or run dedicated lanes or accounts.[/font]

There are always exceptions, for example owner-operators who can pick and choose loads that pay well, and can afford premium equipment and demand higher pay. Even some of those guys go broke.

But, I think we detoured the thread enough that I can almost see Thor's Hammer in my peripheral vision.

Over and out!  


 

 

[tx2sturgis]

Can a mod fix the large font in my last post? I had no idea that my other computer would do that...It's supposed to be all normal font.

 

[JD GUMBEE]

I don't generally admit in public that for awhile I was a 'chicken hauler'.....in this case frozen.

No worse way to make a living as a truck driver than hauling perishables in a refer.

:dodgy:

Awww, it was my preferred one to pull. Always.
Rarely waited to be unloaded, since they did not want the ice cream to melt. (Lying through my teeth.)

LOL


Reefers hold odors after one load of milk has a busted tote or a few gallons get damaged/cave in and leak.
Mayonnaise for the plants in the big totes make even worse smells.

If the reefer unit is old, the insulation has absorbed dew/water from the air and constant temperature cycling.
This makes the truck even heavier...and you will NEVER...EVER get the "bouquet" out of it, no matter what you do.

Simple Green 20% solution with a broom on all the walls, ceiling and air ducts, then run the reefer unit for an hour, hose it out and leave the rear doors open for a few days would be your best chance.

Unless you need to camp in extremes or the deal is a steal you cant pass up, I would be very careful.
(Of course, some are used for plants or cadavers too. Those tend not to stink forever. It's the milk and spoiled meat/mayo that keeps on giving gifts.)

 

[tx2sturgis]

Yeah as for that, the buyer might have some success at a 'reefer washout'....those facilities have high pressure washers and sanitizers to do the best job that can be done.

 

[cyndi]

I've closed this thread while I go through the reported posts. I can't keep up with how fast you're posting and reporting.

 

[cyndi]

And you've gone way off topic. If you'd like to discuss your truck driving careers, do it somewhere else.