Reefer Market Slows Down This Spring

As the spring season progresses, the refrigerated (reefer) truckload market has settled into a more stable pattern, mirroring broader truckload trends rather than leading them. The sharp fluctuations seen in late 2023 and early 2024 have given way to relatively consistent activity between March and early April.

Key Highlights

• Looser Capacity, Lower RejectionThe Reefer Outbound Tender Reject Index (ROTRI) has hovered below 5% since March, after previously climbing above 8% through much of Q4 and early 2024.

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• Spot Rates Reflect RelaxationReefer spot rates, tracked by the Reefer Truckload Index (RTI), have similarly softened suggesting easing tension in refrigerated freight lanes.

Chart of the Week: Reefer Tender Reject Index, Reefer Truckload Index – USA  SONAR: ROTRI.USA, RTI.USA

What’s Driving the Shift?

Several seasonal and regional factors have contributed to the decline in reefer tightness:

• Harvest Season Normalizes While unpredictably timed crop runs such as out of California's Central Valley can create sudden rate spikes, the spring window this year saw a more subdued recovery, keeping volatility in check .

  
  

• Winter Freeze Demands Fade Extreme cold in the Midwest during January pushed reefer demand and rejection rates higher, especially on routes like Chicago to Dallas. As temperatures warmed, that spike gradually reversed

Regional Rebound

• In the Pacific Northwest, tender rejection rates soared past 30% in September 2023, linked to the rush of produce freight like apples, potatoes, and hops. Those highs have since eased as seasonal demands stabilized.

  
  

• Midwest rates also cooled as weather improved, and by late March, before new disruptions, the reefer market appeared to be settling into a more sustainable rhythm.

  
  

What This Means for Shippers & Carriers

• With more trucks than loads, capacity remains plentiful, keeping rates and tender declines in check.

  
  

• Even amidst softer spring volumes, produce season may still act as a bellwether delayed or compressed harvests could reignite market tension, especially if capacity conditions tighten again.

  
  

Bottom Line

Spring 2024’s reefer market feels less erratic than previous years, returning to levels of availability and pricing more consistent with broader truckload conditions. While volatility is down, this calm may only be temporary as harvest seasons mature and capacity shifts. Keep an eye on heat maps and SONAR indices they remain critical indicators for rapidly changing reefer dynamics.

How Rising Tire Tariffs Are Impacting the Trucking Industry

In recent weeks, the U.S. trucking industry has been hit with yet another cost burden import tariffs on rubber and truck tires, particularly those sourced from Asia. These tariffs, aimed at protecting domestic manufacturers, are causing a ripple effect across fleets nationwide, increasing the cost of replacement tires by as much as 15 – 25% in some regions.

For companies like Freightstar Expedited LLC, a premium logistics provider focused on efficiency and reliability, this price surge brings new challenges, but also opportunities for strategic adaptation.

Why Tire Tariffs Matter to Trucking Fleets

Tires are one of the highest recurring costs for any semi-truck fleet. With the average long-haul tire lasting around 80,000 – 120,000 miles, most carriers maintain rigorous replacement cycles to ensure safety and compliance. When tire costs suddenly spike, it puts immediate pressure on operating margins, especially for small to mid-size fleets.

The current tariffs are primarily targeting synthetic rubber and steel-belted radial tires, many of which are imported from China, Vietnam, and Thailand. This means:

• Prices for both premium and budget tire brands are going up.

• Domestic manufacturers are increasing prices in parallel, citing higher material costs.

• Fleets may face longer lead times and lower availability on bulk tire orders.

At Freightstar Expedited LLC, we recognize that staying ahead of industry pressures is crucial to maintaining our standard of on-time delivery and operational excellence. That’s why our team has taken several strategic steps to offset the impact of rising tire costs:

1. Partnering with Domestic Suppliers

We’ve built long-term partnerships with U.S.-based tire manufacturers and distributors to ensure stable pricing and priority access during high-demand periods.

2. Investing in Predictive Maintenance

Our fleet management system uses telematics to monitor tire pressure, tread depth, and wear patterns in real time allowing us to extend tire life while reducing blowouts and unplanned downtime.

3. Bulk Purchasing Strategies

By forecasting demand months in advance, Freightstar Expedited LLC has been able to lock in favorable pricing on bulk tire orders, avoiding short-term market volatility.

4. Driver Education

Our in-house safety team provides training on fuel-efficient driving and proper tire inspection, helping reduce unnecessary wear and keeping trucks road-ready longer.

What This Means for the Industry

The rising cost of tires isn’t just an accounting issue it affects delivery pricing, fleet planning, and even driver satisfaction. Companies that ignore these shifts risk being undercut or slowed down by operational bottlenecks.

Freightstar Expedited LLC continues to thrive in this changing landscape by treating fleet maintenance as a core component of customer service. When our tires roll smoothly, your freight arrives safely and on time every time.

💡 Final Thoughts

While the tire tariff story may seem like just another policy change in Washington, its effects are being felt on highways and in logistics offices across the country. At Freightstar Expedited LLC, we see this as an opportunity to reinforce what we do best: delivering smarter, faster, and more reliably than the rest.

New North Carolina Law Puts the Brakes on Predatory Towing of Semi Trucks

Starting December 1, 2025, North Carolina is taking a bold step to protect commercial truck drivers from exploitative parking enforcement practices. A new state law will ban the booting of semi-trucks, marking a significant victory for the trucking community.

What’s Changing?

Under the new legislation, it will be illegal to immobilize commercial vehicles with wheel boots a method often used to trap truckers into paying exorbitant fees, even for minor or unintentional parking violations. The law specifically targets predatory towing companies that have long been accused of taking advantage of out-of-state and independent drivers.

Violators of the new law could face misdemeanor charges, and in cases where towing does occur, companies will be required to return both the truck and its cargo without unreasonable delay.

Why It Matters

For many carriers, especially owner-operators and small fleets, being booted means more than just an inconvenience. It can lead to:

• Delayed deliveries

• Lost revenue

• Spoiled perishable goods

• Strained shipper relationships

  
  

The legislation sends a clear message: commercial truckers are essential to the economy and deserve fair treatment on the road.

Industry Response

The move has been widely praised across the industry. Driver advocacy groups say this sets a powerful precedent for other states to follow. Some have even called for federal regulation to address similar abuses in freight-heavy urban areas across the country.

Meanwhile, trucking companies are hopeful that the law will reduce unnecessary downtime and legal battles, especially when their trucks are targeted by towing firms looking to exploit a lack of local oversight.

What Drivers Should Know

• The law applies only in North Carolina (for now).

• It covers commercial trucks only, not passenger vehicles.

• It goes into effect on December 1, 2025.

• Drivers should still park legally but now they’re better protected against aggressive enforcement tactics.

  
  

A Win for the Road Warriors

This change represents more than just a legal shift it's a step toward fairness for the thousands of men and women who keep America’s supply chain running. With luck, other states will take note and follow suit.