Reefer monitoring via Thermo King (TK) and Carrier API lets you connect OEM‑equipped refrigerated trailers directly to the Motive Fleet Dashboard, so you can see temperatures, alarms, and operating modes in real time, remotely control reefer settings, and generate audit‑ready reports without having to install additional hardware on supported units.
Overview
With Thermo King and Carrier API integrations, you can centralise monitoring and control of mixed‑OEM reefer fleets in a single view, using the factory‑installed telematics hardware.
Key features include:
- Unified coverage: Monitor Thermo King and Carrier reefers together in one platform, including mixed fleets that previously required separate tools.
- Real‑time visibility: Track set points, supply/return temperatures, operating modes, fuel level (where available), alarms, and location for each connected reefer from the Fleet Dashboard.
- Remote control: Change temperature set points, switch modes (between continuous, cycle, and sleep), start or stop units, clear alarms, initiate pre‑trip inspections, and perform manual defrost cycles directly from Fleet View for supported TK and Carrier units.
- Cargo protection: Prevent spoilage and maintain the quality of goods throughout transit with continuous monitoring of reefer data in real-time.
- Compliance and reporting: Access and export detailed historical temperature logs and alarm history data to investigate excursions, prove cold‑chain compliance, and resolve customer disputes.
- Hardware‑light deployment: Use OEM telematics modems (Carrier Lynx and Thermo King connected hardware) with the option to add Environmental Sensors and Door Sensors for additional coverage.
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Note: To access this feature, you must have:
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Integrating Thermo King (TK) and Carrier APIs with Motive
Follow the instructions given in these articles to integrate your Motive Fleet Dashboard with Thermo King and Carrier APIs:
- Thermo King integration for Refrigerated Trailers/Thermo King Reefers
- Carrier Transicold integration with Motive Marketplace
Accessing integrated reefers from Fleet View
- Log in to the Fleet Dashboard and go to Fleet View > Live.
- Click More and select the Entity dropdown.
- Check the box for Assets.
- From the filtered list, look for assets with the snowflake icon. All reefer units show a snowflake icon next to the asset name.
- Hover over the snowflake icon to see reefer data and current status.
Monitoring integrated reefers from Fleet View
- Log in to the Fleet Dashboard and go to Fleet View > Live.
- Click any integrated reefer asset to see its detailed view.
- From the detailed view, see the current Status of the selected reefer.
- You can also track all the available data points for your integrated reefer, such as Ambient temperature, Current Mode, Fuel percentage, Battery details, and Door Status.
- For all the enabled zones, you can see their current Status, Set Point, Return and Supply temperature.
- Scroll down to view Other Details such as Groups, Data Source, and VIN.
Remotely controlling integrated reefers
- Log in to the Fleet Dashboard and go to Fleet View > Live.
- Click any integrated reefer asset to see its detailed view.
- From the detailed view, click Configure.
- From the Configure tab, enable or disable the toggle to turn a reefer on or off.
- To change the current reefer mode, click Change next to Mode.
- Select the preferred mode option from:
- Continuous: The reefer unit will start automatically and run continuously to maintain the set point and provide constant airflow.
- Start/Stop: The reefer unit will start and stop automatically to maintain the set point, keep the engine warm, and the battery charged.
- Click Send Command to save changes.
- Click Run for Pre-Trip to enable Pre-trip inspections for the selected reefer.
| Note: Pre-trip inspections verify Reefer operation. If a pre-trip test is initiated with the engine or electric motor not running, a full Pre-trip test will be performed. If a pre-trip test is initiated with the engine or electric motor running, a running Pre-trip test is performed. Pre-trips cannot be run if the reefer is in sleep mode or if there are active alarms. |
- Click Run for Defrost to run a defrost cycle for the selected reefer.
- Enable or disable the toggle for a Zone to turn on or turn off a zone.
| Note: Zone refers to the number of temperature zones in your reefer trailer. |
- To change the desired temperature of a zone, click Change next to Set Point.
- Enter the preferred desired temperature and click Send Command.
Setting up reefer alarms
- Log in to the Motive Fleet Dashboard and click the Admin icon.
- Go to Alerts > Create alert.
- Click Tracking > Carrier alarms.
- Edit the alarm name if necessary.
- From Trigger > Assets, click Select to choose which assets this alert applies to.
- Check the box for All Assets or specific assets.
- Once done, click Save.
- From Trigger > Alarms, click Select to choose which alarms will trigger the alert.
- Check the boxes for alarm types you want to set as triggers and click Save.
- From Recipients > Fleet users, click Select to choose which fleet users will be notified when this alert is triggered.
- Check the boxes for users you want to select and click Save.
- You can also select the Notify relevant driver checkbox to send the alert notification to the drivers associated with the asset that triggered the alert.
- Alert Frequency cannot be set up for Carrier alarms as these are real-time alerts.
- From the Method of delivery, you can select between Email and Notification.
| Note: At the moment, you cannot get carrier alerts delivered through SMS or WhatsApp. |
- Check the box for Label alert as “Important” to set the alert priority.
- Once done, click Save and your alert will be created.
FAQs
What is reefer monitoring via Thermo King (TK) and Carrier API?
Reefer monitoring via Thermo King and Carrier API lets you connect OEM-equipped refrigerated trailers directly to the Motive Fleet Dashboard so you can see temperatures, alarms, and operating modes in real time, remotely control reefer settings, and generate audit-ready reports without installing additional hardware on supported units.
Which reefer brands are supported?
Motive supports direct OEM integrations with Thermo King and Carrier reefers, covering the two most common reefer brands in North America.
Do I need Motive hardware to use the Thermo King and Carrier API integrations?
No. For supported units, you can use the factory-installed Thermo King or Carrier telematics hardware and an OEM subscription to stream reefer data into Motive without installing Asset Gateways or cables on those reefers. You can optionally add Motive Environmental Sensors and Door Sensors for extra coverage.
What do I need to integrate reefers with Motive Dashboard?
- Reefer units equipped with supported Thermo King or Carrier telematics hardware (2021+ units typically support OEM integrations; older units can be retrofitted by a dealer).
- An active OEM telematics subscription (for example, Carrier Lynx or a Thermo King connected service) and the API credentials from the OEM.
- An active Motive Reefer Monitoring subscription that includes Thermo King API and/or Carrier API integrations.
- Access to the Motive Fleet Dashboard and permissions to install Marketplace integrations and, if needed, issue remote reefer commands.
How do I connect my Thermo King and Carrier accounts to Motive?
You configure each integration once from the Motive App Marketplace and then authenticate with your OEM account:
- For Thermo King reefers, follow the steps in Thermo King integration for Refrigerated Trailers/Thermo King Reefers
- For Carrier reefers, follow the steps in Carrier Transicold integration with Motive Marketplace
Once configured, eligible Thermo King and Carrier reefers start appearing in the Fleet Dashboard as integrated assets.
How do I find integrated reefers in Fleet View?
From Fleet View > Live, find reefer assets with a snowflake icon and hover over the snowflake icon to see a quick view of reefer temperature and status.
What data can I see for an integrated reefer in Fleet View?
From an integrated reefer’s detailed view, you can see:
- Ambient temperature
- Current mode (for example, continuous vs start/stop)
- Fuel percentage
- Battery details
- Door status
- For each enabled zone: Status, Set point, Return, and Supply temperatures
You can also scroll to Other Details to view groups, data sources, VIN, and related metadata.
Can I monitor multi-zone reefers?
Yes. For multi-zone reefers, the asset detail shows each enabled zone with its current Status, Set Point, Return, and Supply temperatures so you can monitor every compartment independently.
What remote controls are available for integrated reefers?
From the Configure tab of an integrated reefer, you can:
- Turn the reefer unit on or off via a toggle.
- Change mode (for example, Continuous or Start/Stop).
- Run a pre-trip inspection.
- Run a defrost cycle.
- Turn individual zones on or off and update their set point temperatures.
All changes are sent as commands to the reefer using the OEM integration.
When can I run a pre-trip inspection from Motive?
You can start a pre-trip from the Configure tab, but OEM rules still apply:
- If the engine or electric motor is not running, a full pre-trip test is performed.
- If the engine or electric motor is running, a running pre-trip test is performed.
- Pre-trips cannot be run if the reefer is in sleep mode or if there are active alarms on the unit.
What do zone toggles do?
Zone toggles control whether temperature control is active for each compartment. Turning a zone off disables temperature control for that zone; turning it on re-enables control and applies the configured set point and mode to that compartment.
What are Carrier alarms in Alerts?
These are alert types in the Motive Alerts centre that let you trigger notifications based on OEM alarms raised by Carrier or Thermo King reefer units. When creating a new alert, you can search for and select Carrier alarms or Thermo King alarms to be notified when OEM diagnostic or temperature-related alarms occur on integrated reefer units.
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