I don't know if you are looking for new or used....although most are either 48' or 53', you can find 50' and 51' trailers as well. Check out truck paper.
I have a 94 great dane with a carrier unit 48 ft.
I haul frozen food so a 48 makes sense because most of frozen is ltl
Dry frt with a 48 is HEAVY!!! juice, water,sugar,sauce
The 48 is good because you need more finess backing in with the fat back doors.
And for some reason everyone backed in have big wheel bases
So that 5 feet is important.
I rented a 2000 Utility with a Thermo King and it ran rings around my old bucket of bolts.
But I'm back with my 94 banging away.
Reefer work has an awful lot of unpaid waiting time and a lot of claims too(if you are not careful)
Very seldom is there a straight load of one item
Its usually a big fat packing list
The $$$$$$$$$in reefer is LTL
Brokers will keep you plenty busy
the only problem with a carrier is its hard to find dealers
then when you find one , they close at 5
make sure there are dealers near your the areas you plan to run
VERY IMPORTANT!!!!
If you're running a lot of NY, you should get a 48. Anywhere else i'd go with the larger, cuz you'll be able to haul dry van. And if you only do it once a month, you'll be happy you did.
I think the author meant is humorously as well, even subconsciously. Otherwise there would be an "a" before reefer. Nobody would put "about to buy van" :wink:
Example: see the thread about "protection in the truck" and my witty response :P
As far as the 48-53 ft difference, it comes down to personal preference once you get past the versatility of van/temp loads. I find it easier to back up a longer trailer, but 5' is pretty negligable in this case. Listen to the pocketbook and get whatever is cheaper and/or can make ya more $$.