Older Reefer Trailer Questions

I'd have to think a 48 would be a dime a dozen. I actually prefer a 48 with a reefer, a 53 gains you nothing. 53's are usually in case a bulky backhaul is found, but if all you do is regular loads, not sure why they would refuse to load one. If you can, get an old grocery store wagon with a roll up door. Saves a BIG hassle, trust me.

 

My trailer is a 2011 and I have no problems finding loads, however if you are looking at buying a 10+ year old reefer I would recommend against it

You leave a lot on the table not going with a 53’ now a day,

 

You are a little limited with a 48 as not everyone will load a 48'. A friend of mine has a 48 and thats all he has and he does ok. As for a 10 year old reefer, you will be fine. Ice cream or high dollar loads, something like seafood you may run in to a problem, may not load you.

 

48 shouldn’t be a problem for reefer loads , might be a problem for non refrigerated backhauls .

I used to haul a 40 foot reefer cargo container a lot
That was not as wide or as tall as
A normal trailer , with a power only contract .

backhauls were a pain , but the outgoing fruit paid so well I never fooled with finding a back haul . just boogied back
Empty for free and grabbed another pre loaded fruit container .
The math worked out amd I made as
Much or more money as the guys that dicked around with a back haul

 

If your talking about a 48 spread you will ride nice and look cool. It’s a headache to get loaded right these days with a 48 spread. Some places load all trailers the same due to claims and liability. If it doesn’t work for your trailer you can leave the property. Produce should be easy as you should be on the dock while loading anyway. Easy to tell them how to load when you are there. It’s usually good to provide the equipment the customer prefers.

You will spend more fuel on the older trailers. Older unit not in the best shape it can be may cost you $ when your load of bananas are ruined. If your hauling ice cream and it fails on you and you can’t provide the insurance company down loads and good maintenance records…
Food spoils when guys are cheap. People get sick. Either strive to be the best in the industry or pull a van. Being cheap can get kids sick eating spoiled food. It’s serious and you got to ask your self if you are providing a quality service or just stealing a quick buck on great rates.

 

Nobody cares how old your reefer is based off the junk I see out here at grocery DC's almost every day. The only thing anyone cares about is a cheap rate.

 

Well, hold on, you are being a bit melodramatic, cripes, we ate food out of bunker and blower trailers, and I don't think older reefers get any worse fuel usage than new ones. Cold is cold, and the old TK's did just fine,,,just a bit noisy, is all and I have news for you, some shmuck wants to load MY wagon THEIR way, can cram it with walnuts.

 

Brand new trailers hold temp better than ten year old ones. Hands down. Yes an older Reefer unit will do its job if in good condition. Have you seen lately the cheap amateurs lately with junk equipment jumping on the reefer bandwagon? By the way that “schmuck” that is loading your trailer may be the customer. The whole idea is to provide a quality SERVICE and provide the trailer they prefer. We serve our customers. I give my customers the best equipment available money can buy. It’s a choice. I focus on transporting food with food safety in mind. That means microban antimicrobial walls, quality washouts, and temperature consistency with tracking. Customers are demanding that kind of service. Never seen one happy to look inside a worn out trailer, put their product in it and ship it to a choosy customer and feel relieved. Never not do the very best you can. Always push harder to serve.

 

The "schmuck" is not the customer, they are HIRED by the customer to load your wagon, and unless something has changed, generally unskilled,, hates their job and usually couldn't care less about you.