buying a broken reefer trailer

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by mphill49, Jan 26, 2015.

  1. mphill49

    mphill49 Bobtail Member

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    Jan 21, 2013
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    Hello to all. I have an opportunity to buy a reefer trailer with a non functioning unit for 2000.00 from a friend of mine who is getting out of trucking. On truck paper, there are tons of places with REEFER ONLY units for sale with installation and warranty ranging from 3500 dollars to 5500 dollars. My question is, has anyone ever gone this route to buy a reefer trailer? The trailer is a 2002 great dane 53' with great tread on tires, new brakes,the works. Thanks in advance for your responses!
     
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  3. Cranky Yankee

    Cranky Yankee Cranky old ######

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    reefer trailers with running reefers are only worth $2500 at that age
     
  4. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    so, schneider dry vans are WAY overpriced for older units?
     
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  5. RedForeman

    RedForeman Momentum Conservationist

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    Not really. More like $10-12k depending on condition and reefer hours. That said, that's about the age they can start having serious structural problems. It would have to be in spectacular condition to deal with the hassle of fitting another unit on it. As-in near perfect floors, walls, and ceiling. If it's less than perfect, I'd pass on it.

    Personally, I own an '02 Dane reefer and have considered upgrading the unit to a newer TK (has a vintage Carrier Phoenix XL that's ok but getting long in the tooth). Every time I think of it, just getting an '08 or so trailer that's ready to run looks like a smarter play. I'll probably be trading that one later this year. It will go on the market for $10k cash and be gone pretty quick. On the other hand, if I ran across someone selling a known good, decent hour TK SB-300 series for less than $3,000 I'd reconsider.
     
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  6. jbatmick

    jbatmick Road Train Member

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    What are you wanting to haul ? There is a huge difference in hauling nursery plants @ 60 degrees and frozen meat at 10 degrees. Older unit / trailer might work for produce / plants, etc. , but not for frozen stuff.
    Around here, I can sell a 53' old reefer w/o unit for 2500 bucks 3 times a day..I would say the trailer is a pretty good deal.
     
  7. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    maybe haul dry goods first to see how it works out before deciding on fixing the reefer. $2500 is pretty cheap to get your started hauling freight that way.
     
  8. FLATBED

    FLATBED Road Train Member

    With a working reefer unit that trailer would be in the $9,000.00 to $12,000.00 range from most dealers , I have bought reefer trailers in the past with bad units for decent $ and swapped in a new or newer reefer unit .
     
  9. mphill49

    mphill49 Bobtail Member

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    Jan 21, 2013
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    Im glad to hear that the trailer is a good deal with broken reefer. Would you take the chance and buy a reconditioned reefer unit ONLY with a warrant for 4500 with installation? There are a ton of ads on truck paper that has just reefer only units for sale with installation and warranty.
     
  10. FLATBED

    FLATBED Road Train Member

    Always try and deal with an authorized dealer on used reefers be it THERMOKING or CARRIER that way the warranty is of better use if you have problems and not near where you bought the unit
     
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  11. bad-luck

    bad-luck Road Train Member

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    Where ever you see a reefer for that price, let me know!!!!
     
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