Reefer dispatch services for owner operators

What the 4% dispatch fee includes

Rai Dispatch charges 4% of gross revenue on loads we book for reefers. Confirm the billing base and service scope in writing before onboarding. Fee schedule effective October 30, 2026.

• A dedicated truck dispatcher for your truck
• Load search and carrier approved booking
• Freight rate negotiation with brokers
• Broker communication from pickup to delivery
• Lane and route planning
• Rate confirmations and paperwork support
• 24/7 live dispatch support for active carriers

No forced dispatch: you approve every load before it is booked. We dispatch under your MC authority and never collect freight payments; brokers pay you or your factoring company.

Documents to start: Prepare your operating authority details where applicable, Certificate of Insurance, W-9, equipment specifications, and a signed dispatch agreement. A factoring notice of assignment may also be needed. Broker requirements vary by load and carrier.

Clarify the handling instructions before pickup

Fresh, chilled and frozen shipments can require different setpoints, operating modes and preparation. We ask for the written commodity and temperature instructions and flag missing or conflicting details for clarification with the broker. The carrier and driver remain responsible for equipment operation and cargo handling.

Confirm whether the shipment requires a pre cooled trailer, continuous operation, temperature records or special cleanliness standards. A rate confirmation should not leave the driver guessing how the equipment is expected to run.

Plan around real appointment windows

A reefer trip may involve a late night pickup, a strict grocery delivery appointment or multiple stops. The calendar matters as much as the mileage. We discuss loading time, delivery sequence and driver availability before treating a load as a fit.

We assist with appointment communication and help organize check in times and supporting documents when requesting detention or other agreed accessorials. Approval and payment depend on the written load terms and the responsible party.

• Confirm washout and precooling time before pickup.
• Ask about lumper payment procedures and receipts.
• Document temperature instructions and any broker approved changes.

Include the refrigeration costs in the decision

Reefer fuel, washouts and waiting time can affect a load even when its posted rate looks attractive. Compare the complete trip with your own operating costs and the next realistic pickup opportunity.

Our dispatch fee is 4% under the agreed percentage plan. We explain the billing base before onboarding and support rate negotiation, load booking and paperwork coordination. We do not promise produce season rates or a fixed number of loads.

Refrigerated dispatch with one clear instruction record

Reefer freight should arrive at the driver with a consistent set of instructions. We help collect the commodity, written temperature requirements, operating mode, preparation needs and appointment details into the booking discussion. The carrier confirms the unit’s suitability and how the shipment will be handled.

If a rate confirmation and a later message disagree, the useful next step is a correction from the authorized party. We flag the difference and communicate the resolved version to the carrier. We do not choose a temperature from a commodity name or assume instructions from a previous load apply to the next shipment.

Compare a single delivery with a multi stop reefer trip

A multi stop reefer proposal adds more than mileage. Each receiving appointment, unloading process and remaining shipment needs to fit the plan. We ask about the complete stop sequence and written handling instructions before presenting the load for approval.

For instance, a delayed first receiver may affect a later appointment and the truck’s next available day. The dispatcher needs the actual update, while the carrier assesses the operational requirements. Agreed changes should reach everyone working from the original schedule, including the driver and the next booking contact.

Our reefer dispatch fee is 4%, with the billing base confirmed in the agreement. When comparing loads, include preparation, refrigeration expenses, waiting and the realistic empty time. The reefer temperature checklist gives a detailed worksheet for your first call; the detention guide explains which records to organize when delays lead to a request for additional compensation.