An Ideal used Reefer trailer

Looking to buy a Semi Trailer?

Prime takes great care of their Carrier Units

 

I was taken out to lunch by the regional trailer salesman today. He sells primarily new reefers, but other types of trailers as well; new and used.
In regards to reefers he said anything over 10 years he doesn't pay more than scrap value bc of the high likelihood of insulation degradation and excessive repairs on both the trailers and the refrigeration units. No matter the brand or spec. And that if they look rough he won't buy them at all.

 

Um, that's the wrong website for Prime's used trailers. Their site is www.pedigreetrucksales.com

No clue what site you linked to but none of those trailers have carrier units in them, those were all thermokings.

 

Yes^ thanks, Google copy/paste fail.

 

I wouldn't recommend running one beyond 10 years old. The insulation loses effectiveness over time and after 10 years, you've lost a lot. Look for a trailer that doesn't have signs of major Interior damage. Any moisture into the walls ruins it. A reefer can go 25-30k hours before you may start running into big ticket items like a motor rebuild or replacing an entire compressor. If you're looking at a Carrier X2 2100 or 2500 vs a TK SB 230 or 330, I'd say the Carrier wins, hands down. If you're looking at an X4 vs a Precedent, either one is a good pick.
I don't have brand loyalty when it comes to reefers. Great Dane and Hyundai make a great trailer. CIMC-Vanguard and Wabash are next on my list while Utility is at the bottom. I own a Utility right now but I wouldn't buy another. The weakness of a Utility is that they still use wood in the floors and their door design is not as good as the other trailer makers. If you get a Wabash, try and get one with the Solar Guard roof, I think that's a really cool feature.

 

.. utility has the composite floor as a option. I just ordered a new trailer from them a few months ago.
I like the great Dane doors the best !! and Wabash's solar guard roof is a cool idea on a new unit.
I completely disagree on putting Hyundai anywhere near a Great Dane though.

My Reefer list would be regarding construction over price in this order:
(And dry van)

1) Great Dane
2) Utility
3) Vanguard
4) Hyundai

(Dry van throw Monon in the area around Vanguard, maybe above)



OP; expect to replace the compressor unit in average between 15-20K hrs run time.
Engines can go much longer, about 30k avg..some have went 50k with meticulous maintenance....if you owned it.

 

These guys obviously don’t know what they are talking about. You make pretty #### good $ pulling a reefer as an “independent “ driver. My advice is purchased a 5-8 year old Utility trailer with a TK less than 12k hours. They are affordable because most all the depreciation is out of them. Good luck!!