considering pulling a reefer, need advice.

No question it can be done....many of us do....point I was trying to make is startin fresh today.....things are very different and while elogs do not concern me.....what I already see is more megas getting into reefer&cuttin rates while sellin shippers on the fact that they can still meet the expedited demands by runnin team....course they use 2rookies and pay them less than one driver to split......as I said most of this has no affect on those of us w/solid customer base....but its beatin up the spot mkt&new entrants tryin to honestly compete&make a living&unfortunately I do not see this trend going away.

 

Totally agree....business is tough, no doubt.

Be safe....

 

So I'm sure it's been mentioned somewhere, and I've just been looking around without any luck of finding an answer, but I'm curious, because I have "0" (emphasis on "0") experience with reefers, about these things:
1.) In general, given the same lane (obviously with different product) how do reefer rates compare to dry van rates?
2.) Why? As in, how (much) is fuel efficiency/cost affected by the constant running of the refrigeration? I'm certainly sure it has an impact. I would be interested to know just how much of an impact it really has.

Thanks for any input!

 

According to DAT reefer rates are .30~ cents per mile higher. Pulling food products carries more risk, requires more monitoring, fuel plays a role, and the equipment cost is much higher. All this affects the rate a carrier must charge to make a profit to haul refrigerated freight vs dry freight.

 

Great content! Thanks for such a prompt response. So given the example of the $0.30/m figure, all of that stuff is included and accounted for in that spread?

 

DAT doesn't know squat ...

 

Yes. DAT is just averages and not set in stone. It still gives you an idea as to what lanes are paying and what rates are in different regions. Some reefer loads can pay 1.30 a mile and some can pay 3.00 a mile. It's all about negotiating and pricing a lane appropriately.

 

refer is ok...but there is a lot of waiting for shippers/recvrs ....