Reefer or Van?

They must have been short on reefer drivers recently, because my FM put me on a reefer for about 2 weeks. I usually drive van, but the reefer was decent. As far as the length of the runs, I didn't really notice any difference. Some long ones and some shorter ones, just like vans.

I'm back in a van as of yesterday, and I have to say I'm just fine with that. I don't know if the extra 2 cents/mile is worth the hassle to do reefers. Don't get me wrong, it's not like the reefers were a huge headache. I guess I just prefer the vans. I always like to make my life as simple as possible.

 

Refer freight is always rushed, especially produce. You gotta do alot of over nite runs, then try to sleep during the day. Then when you get to the del at 2am you get to go have more fun dealing with lumpers, comchecks, po's, etc. Next, you sit in the dock for 5 hours and your out of hours, and then they kick you off the property.

 

I do refer loads and im hardly ever rushed and I hardly have to run nights and most of my loads are prepaid so I hardly ever have to pay with a efs check. Ive sat hours getting loaded/unloaded with refer and van loads.

 

i like reefer yes we wait picking up meat yes we wait at recievers when they load thier own freight for the stores but ppl will always eat. i have had only one multi stop trip in 2 months and always have my next load b4 i finish first load so i can trip plan correctly

 

Just left the reefer fleet. I didn't leave because of the fleet.
You will find that you will sit around quite a bit waiting for loading and unloading. Then drive hard to get to the next wait.
However, the miles were generally good. You have to learn how to deal with the waiting.

I preferred reefer to van because you didn't go to as many off the wall locations.
The majority of my runs were to the east coast. I pulled out of Marshfield and can't comment on the direction you would take
from MN.

Right now the reefer fleet has a majority of new trailers. That's good for your CSA scores.

The only tankers they pull are pulled by local drivers.

 

I was hired to the reefer fleet but did van for the 1st 3 months, and I too like the ease of access to places. (with the exception of most ice cream facilities made for 20' straight trucks) I've been pushing 3k+ miles a week, and most are at least 700 miles. I only get hit with a redeye delivery or multi-stop about once a month (or less) and thats ok with me. As for the waits? It's not that bad, usually places will let you go in early and I can't remember the last time I was able to claim detention.

I'm out of Boston but spend most of my days taking stuff from WI to PA and back which is easy money. So often I have my 3hr stops at the same places each way, and when I get a preplan I can usually identify the run based on the cities. A lot of repeat customers especially Wal-Mart DC's so if you like a routine and knowing the drills, this might be for you. We do a bit of work out of the Twin Cities, I've been there on occasion but not super frequently.

I managed to get myself a 2013 Prostar with the load lock rack- best invention ever. Except the wonderful invention of the APU, which is why I miss my old Columbia. x/

 

Why not consider flats?

 

Personally? Not worth the few extra bucks for me. Pull forward, close doors, set it and forget it is just way too convenient.

 

Hardee's Memphis BBQ Burger.























(You sir, need to try flatbed before ya knock it with Roehl.. Not as bad as people think, we sit at customers rarely unless it's coils or pipes... Most places are quick load, quick unload. In and out, faster den u van drivers.. cept we have to tarp n strap which doesn't take much time)