Does it make sense to own different types of trailers?

Most certainly. The most successful guys I know of have multiple trailer types not to mention good direct contacts to keep them busy. When one line of work is dry another is usually busier. I've done dry van for years off the load boards but recently this summer picked up a 53' reefer (should say "borrowed" a reefer from the company I leased on with) and I must say having that reefer on hand has been a real blessing.

On my lanes from July up into late August and sometimes even as late as mid September rates on dry van freight around here are very low. There's hardly anything worth cranking the truck up for. But I was getting some pretty decent work with the reefer in that time frame this year.

It wasn't balls to the walls non stop busy but there was some good work. It actually kept my head above the water and kept me from going out of business. I would like to have a flat bed also. I stay posted up all the time as Van, Power Only, and Reefer more options is defintely a huge leg up. I hop back and forth to whatever is paying the best.

 

Can you insure multiple trailers? I was told in Jersey that I needed to pick one type of trailer.

 

I have multiple types insured and the insurance company has never batted a eye.

 

I have my own authority and I had 2 trailers over the summer. Insurance was not a problem. I rented a 53ft step as an experiment and kept my old 48ft flat. I did swap trailers a few times as I could handle more weight with the flat.

 

No, I did not listen to the more experienced hands on here. There is just too many people pulling 53ft steps that are just running to cheap. I get better paying loads with my old paid for 48ft flat right now. That being said, there is money to be made with a step but I wasnt willing to keep paying $1000 a month to find the contacts. If I owned a paid for step then it might be different. I sure won't get another 53. Rob.

 

I have a 42 foot hopper, 39 foot dump 48 foot combo spread flat and 40 ton low boy. I use them all could not get along without this diverse pile of iron.

 

2 48 foot 5 axle log trailers
1 4axle 60 ton Rgn
36 foot 3axle frameless dump
28 28 rtac b train flat bed
3 axle 48 foot flat bed
tridem trombone drop deck
All purchased when the price is right(cheap)
Each trailer has a season
And I never broke the bank buying them either