Looking at buying a refer trailer

Take your pick as far as thermo king or carrier. I choose TK because of more service locations. Both units are very good. I have heard the carrier is a couple hundred pounds lighter and a bit better on fuel.

As far as trailer make, I would only buy Utility or Great dane. You need them to hold up well. I have a Vanguard and it is only about 5 years old now, it is already showing signs of wear, the quality is not the same as a Utility or GD.

Spread axles are nice, but typically are better for heavy loads and 48 footers. Isn't there some wheelbase laws where a spread on a 53 can get you into trouble? Something to research. Spreads are good if you know you will run out of gross weight before you cube out the trailer. Many shippers require 53', even in the reefer business. Strawberries for example they will load you with 30 pallets and will weigh about 30,000. Light loads are not the norm, however. A spread will be less aerodynamic than a closed tandem, but the difference in MPG is negligible.

If you only are a small company, you want to make yourself available to as many possible customers as possible. That being said, 53' is a must. The spread doesn't increase your gross allowable weight. Just make sure you ask the shipper how many pallets and roughly how heavy each pallet is, from that you should be able to tell them how to load it.

 

utility best reefer TK unit ,,sliding tandem,,spread only an advantage in states where you can haul over 80K gross,, get a bulk head in the front of the box, helps air flow, no side door,,and get vents,,

 

Yes...

If I were to ever buy another based on my experience..

53' Utility
TK unit
Extra insulation for frozen loads (specifically ice cream)
*might* consider super singles for weight savings I'm still not convinced they are the way to go on the winter roads around here
two vent doors on top in front (one in each corner)
two vent doors on the rear doors (one each side)
I'd spec a bigger fuel tank also so as to buy as much as fuel possible where its cheap (weight ain't a factor I don't cross many scales)
LED light package to up the cool factor
Air release slider (I've gotten lazy in my old age)

What works for me may not be the best thing for you....

Shoot member 'olhand a PM he has a world of experience with reefers and could prolly be a HUGE help..

 

Buy a cheaper reefer. Any trailer will be destroyed by Super Mario riding forklift lumpers in just few months. So go cheaper you can buy more trailers.

 

Super Singles will leave you on side of the road. I'm a Great Dane or UT type if I was to get a reefer which I'm not. I pulled them with Aluminum and then 4 ft plywood abv that. Loved it as it can be replaced.