Vancouver natives Elroy and Lucielle Galbreath have the farm in their blood. “My father, grandfather, and great grandfather all made their living from the farm,” said Elroy.” A few years ago, they received an offer on their land from a large conglomerate farm. “We didn’t think too highly of selling,” said Lucielle, “but how can a small farm compete against the big conglomerates?” Ultimately, they decided to make a go of the business by trying to bring farm fresh to the surrounding community.

“We brought some produce out to local fairs and festivals,” said Elroy. “We had great sales, but we were still losing money,” said Lucielle. “About 20 percent of the produce we brought out would go bad before we could sell it. It was a slow bleed, but we were moving towards insolvency.” That was last year. Since that time, the business has transformed, and they have made it a thriving success. The change happened when they decided to invest the last of their money into a refrigerated trailer for sale.

Refrigerated trucks and reefer containers have been changing the world for years, allowing consumers to enjoy fresh produce regardless of the season or their location. The use of refrigerated trucks in the smaller business market is a relatively new occurrence. Finding a refrigerated trailer for sale can be particularly useful for companies in cold chain supply (frozen foods, certain beverages and medical supplies), as the use of refrigerated travel is a necessity in such fields.

The key is to do your research first. Refrigerated trucks are a serious investment. Most are class 5, a GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) that signifies a weight from just over 16,000 pounds all the way up to 19,500 pounds. You also need to be sure that you are buying the right truck for your needs. Used trucks can contain Freon, a refrigerant banned since the Montreal Protocol of 1987. If you are mainly making shorter trips, you may look into a total loss refrigeration truck, which uses frozen carbon dioxide ice or liquid nitrogen to cool your cargo. There are so many variables, in fact, that it might be best to look into trailer leasing or a long term rental as your first foray into refrigerated transport.

The Galbreaths found a trailer for sale that fit their needs. “We looked at a few reefer trailers and trailer rentals, but we ultimately decided to buy,” said Elroy. The refrigeration allowed them to bring a larger inventory to the fairs, and they have even started selling their own home made ice cream, a local favorite among the neighborhood children.