what is the best reefer trailer and why?

What about the dry van they built?

 

It does not matter what is the best.

Spread axle is useful, if you have a 10 foot spread you can load to 40K back there. However, you cannot comply with california kingpin law. So that kills it right there.

All reefers maintain temperature once loaded PROVIDED the load is already at or near temp below setpoint. Reefers do NOT cool cargo. Once cargo begins to warm up, it will preversely gain caloric energy within it's mass further raising temperature as reefer fails to keep cool.

You might consider aluminum trailer wheels and low profile tires. With stronger sidewalls for docking in really tight produce docks. You will be going into places built in 1910.

You will need to maintain a network of manufactors shops across your territory or national so that if a carrier or transicold unit coughs and quits on you, you can run that trailer straight away to be brought back to life or a spare unit slapped on to save the cargo.

You will have to account and track reefer fuel seperately from highway fuel. It's not a motor fuel.

And so on.

 

I've pulled both. I was EXTREMELY impressed with the Vanguard. Small features go a long way. They also seem very well made. I'm also in the market and have been pulling new and used load outs while taking notes. My opinion, vanguard above all.

 

I’m just gonna say this , I’ve been doing this a long time 40+ Years and I think when you look at the Quality and Workmanship and I’m not just talking looks here . Get underneath and look at the Welding and the way other things are done and then the Floor , Great Dane is standard 1 1/4 Duct Floor and then the other thing is the Reputation and Recognition of a Great Dane . You have to compare Apples &Apples and then down the Road the Resale Value on a Great Dane is the Best in the Industry. The last thing I’m gonna say is Great Dane is a Custom Built Trailer tailored to the Customer Needs and I don’t think other manufacturers even offer that . I mean if you want that Trailer to be 50 feet 2 and 3/4 inches long that’s what they will do .

 

Utility will do same exact thing. Needed one 48' 8" last year, no problem.

 

Utility trailer with a Carrier reefer hands down. Pricey but worth the investment. They run and pull really well. They have excellent warranties and it's convenient to find a Utility dealer on the road for repairs.