Reefer loads pay premium rates but reefer units cost premium money. Between $85K trailer-mounted units, $4K APU repairs, and fuel costs 20% higher than dry van — refrigerated carriers need capital to keep the cold chain running.
This Is Why You're Here
Your reefer unit failed mid-haul with $60K in perishable pharmaceuticals. Roadside repair is $6K and the shipper is threatening a claim. You need the repair funded today.
You landed a dedicated reefer lane for a grocery chain — $8K/week guaranteed. But they require a second reefer trailer. A used unit is $45K and the broker starts loads in 3 weeks.
Your APU died in July. Running the main engine for cooling costs $300/day extra in fuel. A new APU is $12K installed but saves $200/day. You need it financed this week.
A produce distributor offered you a seasonal contract — 30 loads/month at $4,800 each from April through October. You need a $85K reefer trailer and $6K in pre-trip inspections and certs before the first load. Revenue will hit $144K/month but the trailer has to be road-ready in 3 weeks.
Your reefer unit's compressor seized hauling $40K in frozen seafood. Emergency roadside repair is $8,500 and the cargo has 6 hours before it's a total loss. The repair shop wants payment before they start.
APU died in July hauling pharmaceuticals. $12K repair, needed it yesterday. Basecamp wired the shop $12K by 2pm. Saved a $60K load and the client relationship.
Karen P., Reefer Carrier Owner, Fresno, CA
Refrigerated / Reefer Financing
Slide the calculator to see your estimated approval range. Then answer 3 quick questions to lock it in. No documents needed. No credit impact.
Built for Your Business
When your reefer unit dies mid-haul, you're not just paying for repairs — you're racing to save $60K in perishable cargo. We wire repair funds same day because your load won't wait for bank approval.
Running a reefer unit adds $200-$300/day in fuel costs on top of your tractor. That's $6,000-$9,000/month more than dry van operators. We fund the gap between what you burn and when brokers pay.
A dead APU means running your main engine for cooling at $300/day extra. A $12K replacement saves $200/day. We finance it this week so you stop bleeding diesel.
You do 60% of your revenue April through October hauling produce. Winter still has truck payments, insurance, and driver pay. A pre-approved credit line bridges the gap every year.
What You're Up Against
| Challenge | What It Looks Like | Funding Solution | Amount | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reefer unit failure | APU dies mid-haul, $12K replacement or load is ruined | Equipment Financing | $8K–$18K | 3–5 days |
| Temperature monitoring upgrade | New sensors and tracking for food safety compliance | Equipment Financing | $10K–$30K | 3–5 days |
| Seasonal produce surge | 3x volume April–October, need extra trailers and drivers | Working Capital | $30K–$150K | 1–3 days |
| Carrier insurance spike | Refrigerated cargo insurance runs 40% higher than dry van | Working Capital | $15K–$30K | 1–3 days |
| Cold storage cross-dock lease | Need warehouse space for staging, $8K/month deposit | Working Capital | $15K–$40K | 1–3 days |
Pricing Transparency
| Product | Amount | Term | Rate | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reefer Trailer Financing | $10K–$5M | 3-7yr | 6-12% APR | 3-7 days |
| Working Capital | $10K–$2M | 3-18mo | 10-22% APR | 1-3 days |
| Business LOC | $10K–$5M | Revolving | 8-24% APR | 1-5 days |
| Invoice Factoring | $10K–$5M | Per invoice | 1-5% per invoice | Same day |
| Revenue-Based Financing | $10K–$1M | 3-18mo | 1.1-1.5 factor | 1-3 days |
Rates vary by credit, revenue, and time in business. These are typical ranges.
These are industry averages. Your actual rate depends on your revenue, credit profile, and time in business — it could be lower. Run your specific numbers in 30 seconds.
Calculate Your Real Cost →Tax Strategy
| Equipment | Cost | Tax Rate | Deduction | Tax Savings | Net Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reefer trailer | $65,000 | 40% | $65,000 | $26,000 | $39,000 |
| Thermo King unit | $35,000 | 35% | $35,000 | $12,250 | $22,750 |
| Temperature monitoring | $12,000 | 35% | $12,000 | $4,200 | $7,800 |
Finance the equipment. Keep your cash. Take the deduction. Your reefer trailer costs $39,000 after taxes and you never touched your reserves.
— Bobby Friel, Basecamp Funding - Founder
How It Works
No paperwork avalanche. No bank lobby. No guessing.
Answer a few quick questions about your business. No documents needed yet.
We check your options with zero impact on your FICO. Your score stays untouched.
Your profile is matched to 70+ lending partners. They compete - you never hear from them directly.
Your funding specialist presents your best options. No spam calls. No runaround.
Choose the rate and terms that fit. Sign digitally. Funds hit your account - same day available.
Refrigerated / Reefer Capital Uses
Semis, reefers, flatbeds, box trucks, trailers. Finance your next unit without a massive down payment.
Diesel, DEF, tolls, permits, lumper fees. Bridge the gap between delivery and payment.
Add trucks, hire drivers, take on bigger contracts. Scale without draining your reserves.
Engine rebuilds, tires, DOT inspections, breakdowns. Keep your trucks on the road, not in the shop.
Liability, cargo, physical damage, MC authority, IFTA. Cover the costs that never stop.
CDL drivers, owner-operator settlements, office staff. Fund payroll while you wait on broker payments.
Full Transparency
Most lenders won't tell you this upfront. We will.
Need commercial insurance for your refrigerated / reefer business?
Trucking insurance runs $12K-$25K per truck per year. InsuranceService365.com covers trucking companies across 29 states — liability, cargo, physical damage, authority compliance.
68% of loan denials happen because of weak financials at time of application. The best time to apply is when your business is performing — not when you're scrambling.
Ready?
Slide the calculator, answer 3 questions, and a specialist pulls your options within the hour.
Click any specialty for tailored financing options.
Recommended Products
Cover fuel, repairs, and insurance while waiting on brokers to pay.
Learn More →Finance trucks, trailers, and fleet additions — asset-backed rates.
Learn More →Revolving access for fuel, maintenance, and operating expenses.
Learn More →Get paid on loads today instead of waiting 30-45 days.
Learn More →FAQs
Your APU died mid-haul with $60K in pharmaceuticals sitting in the trailer. The shop wants $12K and your load is warming up by the minute. That's reefer trucking — everything costs more, breaks at the worst time, and the cargo doesn't wait. Your fuel bill runs 20% higher than dry van. Your trailers cost $85K instead of $40K. And if the cold chain breaks, you're eating a five-figure claim.
We fund reefer carriers who can't afford delays. $12K APU repairs wired to the shop same day. $45K second reefer trailers financed in a week when you land a grocery chain contract. $60K seasonal credit lines for carriers who do 60% of revenue hauling produce April through October and need to survive winter. And we don't take a cut of your freight to do it. One application. 60 seconds. No hard pull.
60 seconds. No credit impact. No obligation.
See What You Qualify For →No hard credit pull · Free to check · Nationwide