Advice on first trailer purchase

On some of them I did and on others no. The ones that I didn't get reimbursed for I didn't catch had happened until too late. As I recall it costs a little under $100 in materials to replace one and about 2 hours if you're quick. Usually when they hook into one and rip it out like that you can hear it. Even with the truck engine running. Anytime I hear a loud noise while unloading I always inspect the outside of the trailer within seconds and run in to tell some idiot to slow the #### down and quit using my walls for fork guides.

 

I'll add that the new PunctureGuard inside liners found in the newer reefers is way better at deflecting fork and pallet gouges than the kemlite found in the older ones.

I think in the end, there's a downward curve of wear & tear that is just going to happen. I've learned, at least for my operation, that starting out at the top of that curve has definitely paid off versus starting below the halfway point to save on the initial purchase.

 

How often do you get to supervise the loading of dry vans? I have found in the reefer world I watch pretty well everything being loaded into my trailer. They sometimes look at my like I am out of my mind when I tell them I want the doubles close to the wall, but not touching. Keeps the walls good much longer. Doesn't always work if you are getting 30 pallets, but for the most part that isn't the case anyway. My old trailer had kemlite and had rips in the liner just above where the metal scuff guard comes up to. Not fun repairing stuff like that that could have been prevented. I hate it when some rookie forklift driver slams the pallet into the scuff guard then rides it all the way up. Come on man this trailer cost me 78 grand.

 

It's no different than reefer. 95% of the time there is no reason you can't supervise it. Question is do you want to stand around for 2 hours doing it?

 

Generally my answer is yes absolutely. If I have a dry load and the loader is competent after the first few pallets I trust he will keep not ramming the hell out of the walls then I don't watch it. For the produce I watch, count, inspect everything.

 

We should put a cam in the trailer. That way its recorded