pros and cons of hauling reefer

I agree, I have never been treated worse, than when I pulled a reefer. Not sure why that was. Tank, dump, van, flatbed, ( any other kind of trucking), then, way at the bottom, reefer.

 

best part is all the dry van guys that dont want to do it in your way at 3 am
my very first job was delivering morning newspapers so for me getting up early is a way of life
always had a running diesel lull me to sleep

 

Looking at it the wrong way ...

With that extra reefer fuel you will get pilot points faster. And with all the night driving there's always parking during the daytime ...

 

Pros you can haul dry van freight on a reefer so doubles load possibilities.
Negatives the noise if unit is on continuous is a little easier to get used to than start stop mode. Personally I also feel bad backing in beside a dry van cause you know they don't want to listen to your unit. If possible I go in parking space nose first so other driver isn't disturbed

 

Pros: you can keep your beer cold
Cons: you can't drink the beer when you got a 3am appointment

 

Reefers have come a long way. Years ago, those old Thermo-Kings would rattle the cab. When I had the day cab, and I needed a nap, I'd have to find a place I could jack-knife the unit, so I could fall asleep. And who could forget that long fan belt (that always kept flying off). At least they were better than the old "blower and bunkers". ( before my time) Could you imagine having to stop for ice everyday?

 

-flip flopping sleep cycles
-manipulating your body into different sleep times to make crazy appointment times
-stupid lazy lumpers
-pissing off people you park next to
-washouts (blown time you don't get paid for)

pros? well it's nice jumping into -20 box on a hot summer day

 

I'm pulling a reefer now and so far I've had all day driving and some evening driving, no weird delivery times like I did in the past. All my times are morning del. and afternoon p/u's. Pulling a lot of Refrigerated and dry loads. I'm a Thermo King guy but all the company has are Carrier unit's on a Utility Trl. and a APU ComfortPro by Carrier and a Cascadia tractor. ya, these are some loud units compared to the Whisper unit's. but I can scale 45,000 with full tanks of fuel. I can see why Carrier and Utility are light and can give more freight options. I still like Thermo King on a Great Dane.

 

Right company you have longer runs. I used to go from ky to Cali then Cali back to ky 2 loads for the week

######## is wait in field while they pick your produce and 6-10 picks all no sleep to show a 10 hr break and haul ### back again. And a lot of 3am apt times that take 4-5 hours cause they count every ####ing Apple

 

Even the pro to hauling dry van freight in a refer trailer is limited. There are many products I haul that the shipper will not allow to be hauled in a refer trailer. And the hauling at night, and better parking during the day, also demands more use of an APU to stay cool.

I like dry van. I drive during the day, most of my stuff is preloaded with quite a bit drop and hook. I hate listening to anything running around me, so even truck stop or rest area parking is a rare selection for me. I usually can park at or near the shippers or receivers I haul for and get a nice, quiet night's rest. Extremely rare I go anywhere I need to get a lumper.

If someone wants to do, then have a great time. You will get no competition or grief from me.