Great dane or utility? 2020 new trailer

Discussion in 'Refrigerated Trucking Forum' started by vr4dad66, Mar 28, 2020.

  1. vr4dad66

    vr4dad66 Bobtail Member

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    Ole question but need updated info...what's everyone's preference? Mpg..weight...strength..corrosion etc?
     
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  3. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    Both trailers in reefer work is pretty good. I lean to the danes. With the aluminum wheels for weight savings. I think our 53 dane was 14600 empty box with full 100 gallon fuel tank. With a 16500 pound tractor you could load about 49000 into it and keep it at -20 or a little below in the worst of summer heat in the west which for the reefer approaches 160 at the catwalk.

    We tended to haul ice cream and dough among other goods but these two stand out in terms of temperature protection. And the Danes we had were perfect in that realm.
     
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  4. vr4dad66

    vr4dad66 Bobtail Member

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    I've hauled both before but not for long term so I wasnt able to get a good feel for them.
     
  5. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    For me I am not particular. I do suspect the Carrier units have a little something to be wanting. Ive had alot of Dane trailers in my day. So I am biased. That is to say the danes are perfect, far from it. But when taken care of and not abused they do well in whatever frozen you load into them. They can also keep heating temps in winter which was what we did with them as well. (Medicines at 65F against say -20 outside)

    If I was to die and end up in trailer heaven and asked to pick a trailer, it will more than likely be a dane. If it was me and my own money buying a trailer out of all trailers. Just a thought. No particular reason other than having worked with them and thermoking most of my life.

    The aluminum wheels are for weight. not for looks or whatever. We remember that we constantly had to worry about these wheels when going north in the USA for winter storms vs salting and so on. Most of the time the blue beacon took care of that well enough.

    Finally the one thing reefer trailers wont do is cool hot product down to whatever you want to cool them to. Without getting technical, reefers will "Hold" at whatever temp the product is at. However if there is a problem and the product started heating up, then there is no reefer in the world capable of stopping that progressing.
     
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  6. vr4dad66

    vr4dad66 Bobtail Member

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    I understand that. What about quality of flooring and walls? I'm definitely getting a tk unit. I'm tired of carrier haha.
     
  7. truckdriver31

    truckdriver31 Road Train Member

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    just get them disc brakes
     
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  8. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    Never really worried about the quality. The forklift driver is the one who might stick a fork in it if you are not watching him close.

    To 31, disks would be welcome. Just in my time too fancy. If I had disks grandma will be a wagon...
     
  9. PE_T

    PE_T Road Train Member

    Utility is the top seller of reefer trailers. You want a trailer skirt, aluminum wheels, and the airlines that monitor tire PSI. Most reefer trailers nowadays should come with an aluminum floor and high borders along the wall. Newer trailers now come with a higher border, which is good.
     
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  10. chimbotano

    chimbotano Heavy Load Member

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    Both are the same price .danes I think The insulation hold better . Just my experience.
     
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  11. Sly Fox

    Sly Fox Road Train Member

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    My 2013 utility came with 18 inch rub rails. Definitely get them. I've seen enough scrapes high up on them that without them that would've been my walls getting gouged by pallets instead .
     
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