trailers?

[firebird_1252]

school me in trailers people. i HOPE to be opening shop may/june. i'm thinking of getting a reefer.

anyway, great dane/wabash/utility/Hyundai etc. they're basically all the same right? i hear that some of the older trailers have waterlogged walls?

any help is much appreciated

[firebird_1252]

anyone?

[Steel Horse Cowboy]

All I know is running refer is going to mean ling waits at cold storage houses and grocery dc's. You will almost always run at max weight (78,000+) and the rates aren't justifiable. I'd get a regular old van trailer as the rates are usually better plus you don't have to burn $4 a gallon diesel to keep the freight.

[tracer]

All I know is running refer is going to mean ling waits at cold storage houses and grocery dc's. You will almost always run at max weight (78,000+) and the rates aren't justifiable. I'd get a regular old van trailer as the rates are usually better plus you don't have to burn $4 a gallon diesel to keep the freight.

On the other hand, reefers are great to pull when it's really hot in the summer so that you can sleep inside when guys pulling tankers have their tongues out at 100F at 2 in the morning

[Mackman]

Dump trailer.

[firebird_1252]

All I know is running refer is going to mean ling waits at cold storage houses and grocery dc's. You will almost always run at max weight (78,000+) and the rates aren't justifiable. I'd get a regular old van trailer as the rates are usually better plus you don't have to burn $4 a gallon diesel to keep the freight.

the upside is that you can pull dry and frozen with a refer. living in south florida its not a bad thing to have.

[Steel Horse Cowboy]

True, but most places won't load a refer either with dry goods. Mainly because they can't fit as much product in the trailer and most cant fit a forklift into them if they have zoned celling units.

[firebird_1252]

very true.

well in any case, is a trailer a trailer? i do know if i get a dry van i want log posts, and an alum. roof. with out a doubt air ride too. i personally pull a fruhaulf at my job everday. love it, but then again the floor is rotting out and the sides seem to be seprating from the floor.

anyway thoughts on both types of trailers? refer and dry brands that is.

[Steel Horse Cowboy]

I like Great Danes in both types. Air ride is a must! If you go refer, stick to a TK unit, and if you can afford it, get one with the 3 separate zones and drop down doors. This makes it more versatile. Then you can haul 3 diff temp products if needed.

[skrissel]

Hey,

I switched from flatbeds to reefers over a year ago. I'm much happier pulling the reefers. Yes, you will have to spend some time at shippers and receivers. To me, that is all part of the job.

You cannot go wrong with a Great Dane or Utility trailer. I prefer a carrier unit simply because the parts are much cheaper. I purchased all the belts for my carrier for less than one of the TK belts.

I agree about air ride, but I have ran 2 spring ride reefers for over a year and only had 1 shipper that would not accept a spring trailer. I actually like them, they pull great and require less maintenance. No air bags or leveling valves.

Good Luck!

-scott

[Midnight Flyer]

As far as brand names I'd go with Great Dane or Utility. They're pretty expensive if you go brand new but usually can find a decent used one on Truckpaper or a reputable dealer. For the reefer unit the only way to go is Thermo King but I've been told Carrier units are pretty decent nowadays as well.