Advice on buying a dry van trailer

You can call Landstar trailer utilization. Thats what I did. They say you can pull any trailer as long as it pass inspection. I been with them for about 5 months. I would suggest getting a trailer with similar features as the trailers they own. Vented, 53’ dry van, aluminum roof.
I just bought a 1999 wabash as my first trailer with dura plate, vented, spring ride, aluminum roof.

 

There's your answer if you're hauling for Landstar ^^ I guess they don't worry about the 10 -year-old-or-less policy?

After all of my reading here and talking to lots of people I went for a Great Dane composite.

Get as new as you can afford but remember your insurance will be more on a newer one too.

 

A brand new trailer (priced over 30K) with plated inside walls is the way to go imo. That's what I did when bought Utility. 3k downpayment and 650 a month. Any trailer lease is way more expensive and they are very picky as you return it, they will charge and rip you off on every stupid scratch or dent they can spot. The new trailers are virtually maintenance free for the first 2-3 years except greasing and tires. They don't leak, don't smell, the floor is still solid. They are food grade. With old ones - over 10 year old, it may not be the case, also you won't load paper products on them...some of the nicest rates I was able to get were by hauling paper rolls The shippers can be very picky as they inspect the inside. The dry van resale value this year is excellent. When I am done with paying my loan off, guess what I'll do...I'll trade it in a for another brand new. Right now,as with any sort of new equipment, you won't be able to walk in and get a new trailer right away.

 

I agree trailers don’t deprecate as fast as trucks. I bought an 8 yr old trailer 2 yrs ago with 230 k from Penske. So far it’s done a good job. But floor is looking bad. I’m assuming your not putting in the Landstar pool. My next trailer will be a new one. Not for a few yrs when the normal 9 year sales cycle slows down. I like Stoughtons and Wabash myself Wabash having a better resale

 

Buy a new one if possible.

Wabash, smooth “plate” walls with e track. Metal roof, swing doors, air ride, tire inflation system, air slide, and with the little sky lights in the upper walls. Vented is nice but not mandatory.

Good luck.

 

Don't get light weight axles. They make thin the axles will flex going down the road. You get tired wear you can never fix.

 

I have a 2015 Wabash Duraplate 53’ Dry Van for sale. It’s been on with Landstar since I picked it up new. White plate walls, E-Track every 24”, front and rear vents, aluminum roof, interior LED lights, 16’ aluminum split-lock ramps for loading vehicles or using as a walkboard, 60” long 3/4 width belly box. Only selling because I bought a step deck and switched to platform freight. Clear title in hand. $23,000

 

Also includes 50 quilted moving blankets, 12 e-track logistics bars, and 25 e-track ratchet straps.