Does Pulling a Refer Really suck that bad?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by crimedoc96, Jul 25, 2016.

  1. crimedoc96

    crimedoc96 Light Load Member

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    Jul 20, 2012
    Cincinnati, Ohio
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    I always read here how awful it is.

    Any pro's to it? Just curious
     
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  3. MidWest_MacDaddy

    MidWest_MacDaddy Road Train Member

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    Feb 21, 2015
    South Carolina
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    The company I drive for has mostly dry van and some refers... Currently under a refer at the moment... It's not so bad... Our cold hauls seem to drop mostly at night or very early morning... So depending on if you like night driving or not that might have an effect on your thoughts of refer hauls.

    Sometimes they might have longer wait times too but other than that, not sure much difference.

    I am sure someone here will list 20 additional things wrong with refers... lol
     
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  4. BigPerm

    BigPerm Medium Load Member

    No....but grocery warehouses suck more than outlined for the most part.
     
  5. VIDEODROME

    VIDEODROME Road Train Member

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    angola, in
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    I don't think it's bad unless people think it's really that much of a hassle at the fuel stop lol.

    I did it for a while through a company contracting with MCT. One thing I actually liked was that most of my trips were Drop & Hooks in KRAFT.

    I suppose the Reefer is one more thing that can break down on you, so a responsible driver should keep an eye on the indicator lights that you can see in the driver side mirror. I did have one break down on me that I kept alive by jump starting it off my truck batteries and I probably saved a ton of Sara Lee food.
     
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  6. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    Jul 19, 2008
    Sioux City,ia
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    Reefer you do alot of night driving.Many customers are grocery warehouses with like midnight appts.You could be sitting in the dock for hrs.Everythough you feel the trailer shake don't for a second think good it won't be long before they're done.They'll take a pallet or two off spend an hr counting the product then take another pallet off ect ect.Some of the places are tight backing and not easy especially at night.At least this is all what I've went thru pulling reefer.It pays like a few cents more per mile but I hated it.Others may have different stories.The reefer unit itself I never had any problems it pretty much works for itself.
     
  7. scottlav46

    scottlav46 Road Train Member

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    Jun 18, 2015
    Escanaba, MI
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    I myself love haulin reefer. Sure There's down sides to it, just like anything else. I know what my rates are, and I read what some of the other fellers are sayin is a good load and I think dang I'm glad I don't work for Schneider. Now that I think about it tho...I don't think I'd like runnin reefer as a company driver. Drop n hook dry van stuff is WAY easier.
     
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  8. FlexinTarzan

    FlexinTarzan Medium Load Member

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    Jan 8, 2012
    Stanfield, OR
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    I will put it this way .... It would take no less than 65cpm as a company driver for me to put up with the hassle involved with reefer.
     
  9. Dominick253

    Dominick253 Heavy Load Member

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    I do local dedicated account around Chicago. Not bad. Before this I did ready-mix and crane flatbeds. The job is easy as could be. Just a lot of long waits for S&R. If I got paid by the mile I don't think I'd like it so much though.
     
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  10. BlackKnight 918

    BlackKnight 918 Bobtail Member

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    Jul 25, 2016
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    I love reefer wouldn't pull anything else we usually haul alot of mclane food We're a very small company the noise doesn't bother me at all but it has its ups & downs some cold storage places we pick up from usually takes bout a out a hour or two not bad really quick sometimes
     
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  11. Jesus is the only way

    Jesus is the only way Bobtail Member

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    Jan 6, 2014
    Coeburn V.A.
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    No, I drove for 20 years hauling reefers and that's all I enjoy doing. The only thing that sucks about it is the wait time at pickup and delivery locations but other than that, I love it.
     
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