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Unit trouble
Reefer Unit Dead? We Still Buy the Trailer
Repairing a tired unit can cost more than the trailer is worth. Selling it as it sits is often the better call.
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- Won't start or won't cool
- Refrigerant leak or bad compressor
- Unit removed or stolen
What we see
Common unit problems
Engine won't start
Seized, flooded or just worn out.
Runs but won't cool
Leaks, compressor or controller trouble.
Electric standby dead
Shore power side failed.
Unit missing
Pulled for another trailer, or stolen.
Repair or sell?
How to think about it
- Get one repair quote so you know the number.
- Compare it to what the trailer's worth running.
- Count the downtime while it sits in the shop.
- If it's close, selling as is usually wins.
Reefer sitting idle? Get a number today.
BC rule
Refrigerant isn't vented
BC's halocarbon rules don't allow refrigerant to be dumped into the air. When a dead unit goes for scrap, its refrigerant is recovered first.
Questions
Common questions
Do you buy a reefer with the unit removed?
Yes. It's priced as an insulated van, which still has value.
Does unit hours matter if it's dead?
Less, but a low-hour unit with one fault can be worth more than a worn-out one.
Do you buy just the reefer unit?
Sometimes, with other equipment. Call and ask.