Pros and cons of running refrigerated

MNdriver, thank you for reminding me that I should have stated that I am part of a team operation. For a team operation, making a run out west and back to the east coast in a 7 day period is definitely possible.
It's running hard, but it is certainly legal. I've done it many times. I agree with you that for a solo driver such a feat could only be accomplished illegally.

 

Without requoting and taking up alot of space
Just a reminder to all of you NEW at pulling produce--especially western--you will almost NEVER get loaded b4 2d shift--the reason is very simple--they only ship fresh--what goes on your truck in the evening was still in the ground this morning--it is picked transported cooled and then loaded same day(mostly)--so YOU should plan accordingly--they(the shippers)are not tryin to mess with you--All too often over the last 10 years or so--(as the larger carriers have been allowed into the game)I see drivers showin up early AM--and complaining about their so called 7-8am appt--this is just dispatch nonsence the fresh biz just doesnt work this way--and when loadin does begin for the day--typically the loadin goes by time distance--so for example if you are in Salinas--on Monday--pickin up for Dallas on say Thursday--don't get upset--thet the team that pulled in 8hours after you--that is loading for the Bronx on wed nite--gets loaded first--its just how it is....
Just sayin

 

Another few Cons I forgot to mention about reefers are 1. Pallets! Sometimes you have to find a place to buy them, and a place to get rid of them. 2. Your neighbors. thankfully in the last 3 yrs pulling reefer, I haven t had anyone come to my house and complain about the noise. 3. Some companies require a washout after every load. There may not be a truck wash within 50 miles

 

I didn't read EVERY post, but I haul reefer & do drop n hook, & the biggest issue I have had to deal with is that sometimes I pull up at the customers & the reefer on the EMPTY trailer is still running sitting in the lot. Had to prime a few of them to get them started again. Other than that, I have no complaints except for the noise when you're sleeping. Running them on continuous helps because its a constant noise instead of on & off for 10 hours. I like it overall though. Good luck

 

I am leaning toward reefer because of longer runs and not having to search for empty trailers after a drop.
But I've read that dock workers entertain themselves by harassing drivers.
As a bullied kid, I really don't want to deal with taunting by working adults. How much of this is true?

 

You have fools like that in ALL parts of the business. Not just the reefer side.

So learn to stand up for yourself.

 

I grew up with the skinniest arms in any school I attended and that included all the girls. But I was a real scrapper and found out most guys are woosies. And those who aren't woosies usually have enough self confidence that they don't need to bully someone to give themselves a false sense of self worth. Frankly, I have never been harassed by any dock workers. But the appearance of weakness draws bullies like a magnet. First, if you give real thought to your opinions rather than let democracy rule your opinions, then your opinions matter. And you are worthy (but not necessarily right). Loud voices are common in a disagreement but that is not necessarily a bullying tactic. The content of the words tell you if it is. Know when to walk away. Arguing with a fool or a bully yields no positive results so appropriate action is needed. Report bad behavior to their superiors. Most bosses don't want a loose cannon on deck. Second, even if you don't want to be involved in any physical altercations, you may have to be involved against your will. So be prepared morally and physically as much as practical. I early took up Judo, a form of self defense that deflects the enemy's energy and momentum of attack away from you and maybe to an immovable object. I have ended over 90% of physical attacks against me that way. I have also worked security more than being a truck driver and never had to be physical. Verbally provide the the stressed individual with a solution to their problem if possible. Don't dismiss their reasons for being angry as being unimportant. but learn to dismiss their disrespect towards you because the morally illiterate will think they would lose face if they admitted to wrong behavior at that time. They will usually treat you a lot better the next time they see you. If you do wish to learn self defense, talk with your prospective teacher. If you instinctively don't like him, don't train with him. Some of them have a bully mind as well and use sorry bully excuses for their behavior. Remember, evil will prevail if good men do nothing.

 

I use to run ATL to LA and back in 9 days only because I had to do a restart. I have ran it in 8 days many times. A team should be able to do it in 5 days if everything goes smoothly.

One good thing about reefer is you might spend a day unloading and loading but then you run for 2-4 days if you run long haul.

 

pros: Better CPM ( usually )
Condition and age of trailer is usually up to par, shipper
especially food will not accept junk trailers
Good average length of haul
especially when headed from west to east ( produce etc. )
Option to pull dry loads or refer
loads depending where you end
up.
Cons: Appointment times many odd
hour deliveries mid-night 3 am
etc. not all but alot.
Strict appointment times no
delivery "window" miss an
appointment and expect a late fee and very possible re-schedule
which might not even be on the
same day.
Expect your delivery/pick up day
to be a full day operation not
partial day, but a full day lost if
you deliver and pick up in less
than a full day consider yourself
lucky.
After you are empty and you think
you are ready to hit the road... not
just yet, sit and wait for your
Lumper payment to process and
get receipt ( not a big deal but a
con for sure)
Drop n Hook is possible depending
on who you drive for but so rare
you will never even think of it.
Noise of engine behind your
sleeper ( its a con but to me
personaly it helps me get a good
nights rest )
Such a long list of cons, so why do i drive refer? i guess its because it all somehow balances out the CPM increase vs the loss of drop n hooks, which by the way drop n hook for dry van on occasion turns into a search for a trailer that does not exist. one more thing i can add to my list of experience is another reason. like when i drove flatbed the sense of accomplishment and having something else to do other than pre trip, drive, open doors, the change of routine and do something different out weighed the added labor. if you are just starting out go either way learning refer and dryvan are almost identical except you have something similar to the air conditioner thermostat in your home attached to your trailer which is how you turn on/off and set the temp setting on the unit and you have an added fuel tank which supplies your refer engine the rest of the job is the same. make a choice and run with it, you can always switch or learn them all.