what type of trailer?

Thats kind of a loaded question!!! Every driver has their own preferance. The biggest thing to look at is what type of freight is leaving and coming into your area. Im in a area where theres dry coming and going, little more flat coming in than out, more reffer coming in than out, very little for tanks going out average amount coming in. It makes more sense to run whats good in your area to keep the DH down.

 

Move your radius to below 250 and see if there is freight. figure in deadhead miles as part of the load miles. I spend on averare about $100 in fuel deadheading 250 miles so I figure that out when I see the rate. If I go above that the rates fall below what I need to make money. If your makin less than $1.15 a mile with deadhead that is not good (even that in itself sucks). Common sense will tell you to avoid deadheading at all costs, however sometimes we have no choice in this economy.

 

I would go down to 100 miles and check freight going in and out for a couple of weeks as well as rates on a few load boards. Keep in mind that dry van is cheaper in general than flat and reefer as you have more work in loading and unloading flat, extra fuel and maintenance with reefer, and like for tanker. In my area I do best pulling step, but can get home easier with the van. Just make sure if you get a 53 cause it is getting had to load my 48 van. Don't know why but most shippers are calling for 53 even with heavy freight that will fit on a 48 with room to spare. Just last week I had a lady flipping out cause I had a 48. I was getting 10 pallets at 4200 lbs each.:smt017

 

I'll be pulling a lot of frozen.
I looked into leasing and renting. Lease payments were more than the darn payments if you buy, that's what I discovered. I almost think it's easier to qualify to buy than to lease. Your mileage may vary

 

Pilot8251w... Do you already have your insurance in place?

 

53ft fry van or reefer.

KH