Food Grade Versus Sheet and Plate 53' van

I have an older plywood trailer, always hauled food in it and never had a problem. If they need just a plated trailer for certain kinds of food, they will specify that. But it's very very rare, over the 3 years I have seen maybe only couple of those loads

 

I have 2004 walbash and I haul everything including food grade . It has more to do with cleanliness and odor , sweep well or blow it out and open the vents .

 

Ive had several brokers specify plate/composite over wooden walls. I seem to score a lot of 20k or lighter insulation loads and they don’t want wooden walls.

I went with a 2015 Great Dane composite after reading about the quality here.

I can haul anything but food, which I never want to haul anyway.

 

Not from me... do not get a plywood van I’m telling you. I’ve even gotten holes in my plate trailers! People will fork into that plywood constantly. Next thing you know you’ll be getting rejected and wasting time/money. Besides a 10+ year old trailer will look much better inside if it’s a plated walls. First impression to the dock boss is everything.

Plate has advantages. Plywood has none. There is your decision.

Ps. I actually routinely see plate trailer only listed in comments.

 

Not sure where you’re located in PA but Hale in Jessup had 6-7 fairly nice 2006 Utility dry vans last time I was up there.

Think they wanted around $10k for them and got them from Calex.

Also Knight and Swift have some cheap ones posted from time to time down in Carlisle or Jonestown, but I believe they’re usually spring ride.

 

I was going to just settle for a used Heartland trailer until I found mine. They're all over and look good. They have polished nose and rear doors but, like the other megas, they are spring ride. I was looking at paying about 10k for a 2012 or so IIRC.