looking at new reefer trailer How much insulation? Brand... opinions please

My hubby runs reefer, and he prefers Utility. The Utility trailers are lighter. He's pulled several different ones with the company he drives for, and has found the Utility to be the lightest. The sliding tandems would probably a bit easier to deal with, but there are advantages to a spread. You're already comfortable with a spread, so it won't be completely new to you.

 

To be lighter in weight, something has to be reduced:smt115. I like pulling a lighter trailer, but if I bought one, I want a well built model, I think the 2.5 inch insulation might be a little better, especially with ice cream. Coupla hundred pounds heavier means a little bit stouter trailer, in my book.
Not a big fan of 53' spread, unless you run an area of the country whwere it is really needed to scale the weight.
Had a new Wabash reefer, it was a real good trailer, but give me a Great Dane for durability.

Just my thinking.

 

My question is do u intend 2 keep this wagon 4 any length of time? Or do a standard 3-5 yr write down a dump? If u r keeping than a Dane is the only way 2 go IMHO-Seal better ride better etc--weight can b an issue--but can b compensated for--as for spreads(&I've owned many) IF u r load in ur own-especially LTL they can b very handy--BUT if u do a lot of t/l and cannot supervise etc they can b problematic scaling since 2 many loaders dont/wont listen and 2 many shippers r so anal about bridge and won't load past 48' mark--
As for unit again IMHO i still spec an TK SB-210. Has enuff oomph 2 do the job a d is relatively fuel efficient--yes it has a smaller compressor and may require a little more maintenance but it will do the job on less fuel--especially w/hi speed circuit disabled and run on continuous for any frozen load-just set on ZERO-and it won't go into heat mode.amd just continue to.pull down rather fuel.efficiently--assuming of course the product was good n frozen when loaded.
Just my $.02

 

Having built Wabash trailers in Lafayette for a few years, I would never buy one. QC was almost non-existent. The workers always had a motto for the supervisor's view: If in doubt, ship it out.

 

40' from kingpin to center of rear axle in Cali. I believe you would have to go with a sliding spread or perhaps lift the rear axle ( which you won't be able to do legally when loaded heavy) Either way I would expect the CHP to always be busting your balls at the scales or just pulling you over to measure the distance if you go with a 53 spread.

 

I have a few O/O's with 53' spreads that run CA and back every week. Some have sliders that move the whole spread,some have independent for each axle. Every once in a while they get it on the 40' but it's ignored most of the time. That violation also doesn't have points in the SMS.

 

I pulled a bunch of brand new ones out of there during my training back in 1999. Hated that darn bean field lot!