My only concern is finding loads

YOu wil be fine. Use your business principles and treat trucking as "business". I jump into this after my retirement and just got my authority just 3 months ago. The best piece of advice I can give a newcomer is joint OOIDA and take the courses they offer as webinar. They are very comprehensive and you will learn a lot about the many aspects of trucking, taxes, compliance, evaluating your authority, costs,factoring, dealing with brokers, getting contract with shippers etc. etc. They are your ticket to learn about the business. It would help tremendously if you have someone at home that could partner with you. You will be swimming on paper work !! I happily "pay" my darling 10% of my income (money that I would put at home anyway...sshhh don't tell her...) and she takes care of all office stuff, and you will have PLENTY. Don't forget you will deal with the feds and state and and and....
Again, the best I recommend is GET EDUCATED !!!! IGNORANCE IS VERY EXPENSIVE !!!!
Just my .2 cts
FYI I don't own a trailer. Just Power only and doing fine. Find your niche and enjoy trucking.

 

You still will have problems with trailers, but it would be some el$$$se's problem.
Sometimes the trailers are loaded, sometimes are empty,load outs, and you keep them for 7 to 10 days, and if you really develop a relationship with the broker and you are nice, they let you have for a couple of weeks.
I did some "drive away" as well. This week I will be on my way to FL with the circus. Stay away from that "adventure" yikes !!

 

Where you live shouldn't be a problem finding loads for a dry van and also to pull in rates on par with if not far better than many pulling reefers flats, if, you play it right.

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If you don't like the reefer vibration just drop the legs on your trailer and uncouple just far enough so the trailer doesn't contact the truck.

 

When you own the trailer, you can add that option, as well as an auto fifth wheel puller on the truck. If it's your reefer, you can leave it on continuous as well through the night, which will allow you to sleep pretty well, in my experience. If you really want to do it, I'd become rollin's best friend (pizza, beer, etc) as he makes great money pulling regional van in your area.

 

I woke up at a Walmart in a cold sweat panic because it was too quiet. When the fog cleared, I remembered where i was: dropped trailer and parked in the bobtail area.