Dry Van or Refridgerator? Pros / Cons

If you like to sit & wait a lot, pay for lumpers and get treated like dirt, then reefer is the way to go for you!!

 

Reefer pickups late at night a lot (told to show up at 3 and get loaded at 9) and lots of deliveries in the middle of the night. It can be demanding at times. Just a quick check the load is on target for temperature at every stop, no big deal. Always put a lock on the rear doors to avoid stolen product, especially if you are hauling in Laredo. That should go for dry van also. Shipper doesn't always give bolt seal or cable seal or a seal at all for produce.

If you are a company driver it pays a little more than dry but imo not enough to justify the lost time from waiting and excessive delays. As an owner operator the higher rates (for me) justify the abuse. I like it.

 

Temperature controlled drivers get all the beautiful women because they make all the money.

Just thought I better add a little balance to the conversation.

 

Like this?

 

They get the better women because they are cool!

 

So cool we can have her cuttin glass

 

the usda shut downs are always fun! and do take hours before an inspector shows up. when that happens and everything about the load is good. normally the customer is trying to get the product for a reduced price or free. in that case. it's best to get a hold of the broker. most of the time the broker will get the product rejected and sell it to another place.
what to look out for.
other drivers in truck stops. many will sneak up and shut the unit off. because they don't to hear it running.
you must check unit every time you stop. while it's running
under dry loads and winter. it's best to start the unit every day in the winter time to warm it up. running it a good 30 minutes is all it needs.
watch out for shippers. they will try to put bad/hot product on the load. if you not paying attention then that can be a serous claim.
must be on the dock during loading and unloading. no and ifs or buts about it. loaders will lie and lumpers will lie harder.
if possible get a copy of the product sales sheet from the broker. very helpful in making sure you are getting the right product and the count is right for each product.
you have to wash out the trailer every 2 loads depending the previous product. some place will refuse the trailer at the gate without a wash out recipe
you have to have a money on hand to pay for pallets. and then you have to make sure on delivery or pick-up depending on who it is. you will want to make sure you get good usable pallets back. shippers and receivers will try to stick you with junk pallets.
don't be afraid to pull a pallet aside and pulp/ inspect. just because the boxes look nice and clean. doesn't mean the product inside is any good.
don't cross the same weigh station twice. meaning do pass up one stop to hit another. brokers will try to get you to do that. a real good reason. if you have a major receiver that is buying 14 pallet of product. and you have a little guy buying 4 pallets of product. and the little guy wants his stuff first. and it in the nose of the trailer. chances are the little guy won't have a dock or warehouse large enough to take the entire load off and put it back on without damage/infestation/contamination.
it's best to have 8 to 12 load locks at all times. some loads have up to 4 singles and can dump if not secured right.
you have to keep on your toes at all times! you have to pay attention to everything and everyone your dealing with.

 

In a bad economy, people still have to eat. Learn Spanish it will help.