Dry Van or Reefer?

Discussion in 'Motor Carrier Questions - The Inside Scoop' started by Regional, May 31, 2020.

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  1. Regional

    Regional Light Load Member

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    Which one should I buy? A reefer or Dry Van as an owner operator?
     
    Regional, May 31, 2020
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  2. JoeTruck

    JoeTruck Heavy Load Member

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    You can put ice cream in a reefer or toilet paper.
    Reefer loads pay better.
    Food shippers and receivers suck.
    People will always have to eat even if the government pays for it.
     
    JoeTruck, May 31, 2020
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  3. Cattleman84

    Cattleman84 Road Train Member

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    Do you have any contacts or clients in either world????
     
    Cattleman84, May 31, 2020
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  4. bryan21384

    bryan21384 Road Train Member

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    I say reefer. I'm a reefer fan. You can run reefer as a dry van
     
    bryan21384, May 31, 2020
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    RESE314 Thanks this.
  5. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I vote dry van. Reefers mean an additional mechanical problem can happen. Reefer engine, fueling, breakdowns etc. Dry vans clean up easier VS reefer which almost always need to be washed out. This takes time, YOUR time, when trying to hurry for your next load. And then you have your food shippers and consignees to deal with. And I might mention your neighbors, the ones you park in front of when home, the ones who don't appreciate your unit running all night, right ?
     
    Allow Me., May 31, 2020
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  6. fuel463

    fuel463 Light Load Member

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    Agree about reefers. No set schedule and some of the places they go are pretty tough. I would say tanker or dry van
     
    fuel463, May 31, 2020
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  7. Oor

    Oor Road Train Member

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    Whichever one you have freight for.

    Why not lease a trailer till you have it figured out?
     
    Oor, May 31, 2020
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  8. asphaltcowboy4x4

    asphaltcowboy4x4 Medium Load Member

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    Reefer absolutely because you can then run both reefer and dry freight so you have more options although you have to pay to service reefers but it works out if you make it work
     
    asphaltcowboy4x4, May 31, 2020
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  9. VA CDL Holder

    VA CDL Holder Medium Load Member

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    I once picked up a load of nails, made in China, down in Seabreeze, TX, while pulling a reefer. Reefers have more versatility, but your not going to haul a load of hay in a reefer. I've seen gypsum loaded by conveyer into the back of many reefers in Fernley, NV and trucked into the Central Valley of CA. Washout definitely a must after that!
     
    VA CDL Holder, Jun 1, 2020
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  10. G13Tomcat

    G13Tomcat Road Train Member

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    Solve it all, here and now. . . buy a flatbed. Think of all the reconstruction materials are gonna be needed after these riots~! (Oops, protests.....haha~! ;)) :(
     
    G13Tomcat, Jun 1, 2020
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