Richard sounds like the “floor racks” were not in the reefer, causing you to deal with the sill. Floor racks are found in reefers to allow circulation of the cold air underneath the load. Picture the floor covered with pallets. Some were hinged to fold up out of the way, others were removable, but when in place they would bring floor up to the level of the door opening. They may have been removed or out of the way because they could not handle the weight of the barrels.
Doug Harding
www.iowacentralrr.org