Plate Trailer

None of them. They're cheaply built and dont last. That's why Utility doesn't even offer them. Unless you really need a plate trailer specifically you're better off getting a sheet and post trailer for longevity.

 

I see many loads going from MO (STL area) to CA that require plate trailer. And they pay $300-500 more. Loads of different kind of cans ...

 

Hard to believe that plate trailer freight consistently pays that much better than other van freight. It's not like plate trailers are rare. There's a place near me that ships empty cans and requires plate trailers. Occasionally they are in a bind and will pay decent money. Not consistently they don't. Those are light loads 5,000 lbs, easy on and off and easy to sell really cheap most of the time.

 

Last 3-4 months I get calls from different brokers who need plate trailers. I figured out these loads are coming out from Earth City and Arnold, MO . This Friday CHR called and offered $3400 to Oxnard, CA if I can get plate trailer. That load was on theirs board from 7am until 12pm.
I have 2014 Utility. I usually keep dry vans 7 years. I was thinking maybe I need to sell this sooner and get plate trailer.

 

I cannot imagine a commodity of cheaper freight than what goes in a plate trailer. I live 25 miles from Wabash National in Lafayette IN and pick up new trailers there routinely. They make something like 25,000 new plate trailers there per year. The trailers waiting to be delivered, of which at any moment there are over 1000 sitting are a who's who of cheap freight mega carriers.
And across the street is another 1000 that are trade in's that are on the average 8-10 years old and beat.