Dock to Dock

The Problem: Apparent discrepancy between temperature tape and reefer download.

The Key Point: Carriers are responsible for maintaining proper air temperatures throughout the trailer.

The Solution: Remember that portable recorders are often placed in the rear of the trailer, while the reefer’s temperature sensors record temperatures in the nose.

QUESTION: We are a truck broker and trucker with coverage throughout the United States. In some of our claims over the years we have noticed that the temperature tapes from portable recorders show warmer temperatures than the reefer download. How does Blue Book Services approach such discrepancies?

ANSWER: First, we think it is important to recognize that the reefer unit’s sensors are in the nose of the trailer, while portable temperature recorders are typically placed in the rear.

So, if the cool air short-circuits due to a circulation problem (e.g., shifting or a loose air delivery chute), or if the insulation around the rear doors is inadequate, we would expect to see warmer readings from the portable recorder.

Second, it is important to remember that portable recorders are affixed to shipping cartons, in close proximity to heat from respiration (or field heat) coming off the product, while the sensors on the reefer unit are not. Consequently, when temperatures in the trailer are not properly controlled, causing heat from respiration to increase dramatically, this may disproportionally affect the readings taken by portable recorders.

In our experience, when the portable recorder shows warm temperatures (often coupled with warm destination pulp temperatures), it is not uncommon to see appreciably cooler return air readings, even though under normal conditions we would expect the air in the rear of the trailer to be somewhat cooler than the air in the nose.

Lastly, we would note that carriers are responsible for maintaining air temperatures throughout the trailer, not just in the nose where the reefer unit’s sensors are located. Please see Blue Book’s Transportation Guidelines for additional details regarding how we evaluate claims where temperature problems are alleged.

The Problem: No proof of delivery.

The Key Point: Carriers are entitled to be paid for services provided.

The Solution: Customer’s unjustified failure to pay you does not justify your failure to pay the carrier.

QUESTION: We are a truck broker based in California. We recently ran into a situation where the carrier failed to provide us with signed proof of delivery. Consequently, per our customer’s policy requiring a signed delivery receipt, we never got paid. The carrier has placed us for collection, but our position is that we are happy to pay just as soon as the carrier provides us with proof of delivery. We don’t think this is too much to ask.