Pros & Cons of Reefer as Company Driver

Does JB Hunt pay for detention? If so, go to sleep and don't even worry about that lumper fee and how long they take to process. I try to do relay codes as much as I can, pay from the sleeper, then lay down/wait for phone call. Meanwhile, I am getting paid for my driving hours to be recouped. Call my company and get my next load. I would rather do that, as opposed to the supposed drop and hook. It's supposed because some places it's drop the trailer and hunt for an empty to hook. That's a bigger time waster because no detention is paid for that. There's a high chance of ELD kicking into drive line while scouting around for an empty at a large customer. Then there is the matter of making sure the trailer being picked up is in serviceable condition. Live unload my butt and I am going to make it work in my favor, each time, every time. I run exclusively reefer with Dutch Maid. That's all the company runs, and I gross $1,600 average. Last check was $2070 and check before that was $2,700. I don't even run as hard as I possibly could, meaning I stop regularly, take showers every night, spend more than 30 minutes on breaks, and often go to 12 hours versus 10 hours. If any driver is not making money as a company driver on reefer loads, either the driver isn't staying out long enough to make it work, or the driver has a bunch of the clock being needlessly eaten up.

 

So, who owns the trailers? They do not all belong to Dutch Maid?

If not belonging to your company, who is responsible for their maintenance and when?

I have learned so much from this post! There are so many details I haven’t experienced yet, thanks!!!

 

Pulling reefer will tax your nerves, if you care about your job that is. For instance, I got loaded with ice cream yesterday, which is a -20 reefer setting, the coldest a reefer will go. Anyway once I get underway, I keep seeing the reefer light switching back and forth between yellow and green. Of course, this is irritating when there is no real safe place to even pull off the road for the next 40 miles, Tacoma heading towards Snoqualmie Pass. Anyway, once I pull over I look at the display and it says, "check starter circuit". I call it in to breakdown and they say it's one little wire on the starter solenoid that is probably loose, making intermittent connection, but the temp is being maintained so its fine. This is a Carrier reefer and I recall not having reefer problems when I pulled ThermoKing units as much. So I'm covered because I called it in, so in my mind, I did all I could do prevent a load loss, if it comes to that.

Just a few weeks ago I loaded up some sour cream in Casa Grande, AZ. Setpoint was 35 degrees and continuous to keep it at that temp. Anyway, the outside temp is over 105 degrees. To make a long story short, just as I'm about to enter CA on the I-10, I notice a yellow light on the reefer. The reefer shut itself off to prevent a compressor failure because of the heat. The box temp had risen to 45 degrees when I caught it, but I was able to get it running again. If I hadn't looked when I did and stopped, no doubt that load would have been lost.

So if you're not up for the added stress and baby sitting, stay away from reefer. As for time wasted, I actually look forward to delivering to some grocery warehouse where they take 10 hours to get me out. I'm getting my reset and getting detention pay while I sleep. I was at Associated Foods last week in Ogden, UT and they took 9 hours hours to get me out. I also got 5 individual servings of Hagen Daazs that they left on the trailer. One was good, but the other 4 turned into milkshakes in the truck fridge!

 

I have no clue I’m sure JB pays company drivers for detention but I literally did 1 load then made them switch me to another account that broken sleep schedule is not for me. I’m an OO now so lumper fees are an even bigger pain in the ### I try to avoid them at all costs now.

 

I'm a resident newbie with only two months solo at a mega (Prime company driver), but so far I like running reefer. Some good long runs 1500-2000 miles with smaller ones sprinkled in between. Consistent work...nice that there's always a pre-plan for the next load ready before delivering so I know what to expect and plan accordingly. Not a lot of sitting around. Based on what I've seen in here I've been pretty lucky so far with load/unload times, but detention pay does make it easier to stomach when it happens. I think the reefer sound works great as a white noise for sleeping, though I get it that not everybody shares this view.

I will agree with those who say it greatly helps if you don't mind running nights and are willing to adjust your schedule as needed. Fortune does seem to favor the flexible when it comes to reefer.

Dave

 

I've enjoyed running reefer and have no plans to change that. It's mostly upside as far as I'm concerned. I like the longer trips and the greater chance of running in the early AM due to appointments. I prefer working in the early AM. Loading/unloading delays are only an issue if they impact the next load, otherwise I have academic pursuits and having long waits gives me time for them, and often while being paid detention.

The only downsides for me are, having to bother other truckers when there is no choice but to park next to a flatbed or something. But because I run overnight, that is rarely an issue. Also, the problems that arise with the reefer unit from time to time, but it is what it is.

 

I’ve put in my month of training and have started solo. It is definitely a mixed bag with Reefer. So far, I haven’t had trouble sleeping more than usual, though I thought I would. My delivery times have been all over the clock 6a, 5p, 7p, 10a, midnight, 4a, etc, etc, etc. I think that is the hardest part; but, it hasn’t been too bad so far. I’m not a big fan of ‘energy drinks’ for health reasons; but, the occasional Red Bull really helps when I get drowsy. Strangely, it seems to work better for me than most other brands that I’ve yet tried. Thank God they started making new flavors! I hate the original! Blech!!!

 

The less you drink them, the more effect they will have, as with everything else, your body builds up a tolerance to them.

 

Crazy flip flopping appointment times at all hours and then waiting forever 99% of the time for load and unloading, then being kicked off their property immediately when load/unload complete and no parking anywhere at 2am and you're out of hours.

Then when you start your day you can look forward to waiting in line forever for a wash out.

Doing reefer is torture!
You will have horrible sleep and become a zombie hating life!