Reefer, Dry Van, or Flatbed?

Honestly a lot of our recommendation about what trailer to pull would be based on where you would call home. But first, flatbed involves some work and skills that are unique unto themselves. For those who appreciate a "good tarp job" and a challenge, flatbed may be a good consideration, depending on where you live and want to work. Otherwise, vans are dime a dozen and they flood the market a bit more than reefer. Reefer guarantees you'll deal with a lot of grocery store warehouses which can be a problem sometimes for loss of time and hassle. However, meat hauling is always steady and the miles are usually better than average with reefer. The monitoring of reefer status is not an issue worth considering, but additional trailer washouts between loads can be time consuming if loading at a shipper that want's it washed out before you arrive.

A reefer is the most steady work, in spite of overall economy, IMO but my reefer experience and recommendation is based on a better than average outfit that does not hire new drivers. So consider my advice at your own peril. But I have pulled flatbed for a few years and van for 10+ years, as well.

 

Reefer- make sure you have comfortable clothes and plenty of hobbies as you will spend most of your time sitting around waiting to get loaded/ unloaded.
Dry Van- go on a diet NOW before you even begin working!!!!!
Flatbed- snow,rain,mud, ice,sweating your ### off.

 

From my experience pulling reefers you have to be comfortable with night driving too. Depends on company policy as to the amount of work. Like I was doing multiple stops for a while, and you had to send your temps in on the quallcomm at every stop. Then mine had 2 bulkheads that I had to wear gloves not to burn my fingers on. More dealing with lumpers/driver unloads. I agree with the tendency of longer time at shippers and finals too.

BTW its fairly easy to make sure the reefer is running right as you have a status light that is visible in your mirror.

Dry van, easy sleazy.

Flatbed I can't comment on as I've never done flatbed.

 

One good thing about being a Flatbed driver; since nobody thinks you can back up, you usually dont have to!!!!
You can even get away with nosing into parking spots!!!!

 

If you're buying a trailer buy a reefer... You can haul frozen and dry goods..

 

I chose reefer for my reentry to the business based solely on the economy... people still have to eat. There is some waiting especially with Produce and meat loads. I waited 12 hrs on blueberries last week in California. 3 pallets, but they were late getting there and the had to cool to the right temp. It happens.

 

i love hauling produce..... However i'n doing flat at the moment, and starting to like it... no tarps
if i had it all over to do again, i might go flatbed.