Starting the search for a used reefer, what should I consider?

In a perfect world I would order a new great dane with a sliding spread and a lift axle and add a used rebuilt reefer, but alas, I want one before Christmas. I have been pulling reefer for 2 months, and I actually like it. Makes it easier to sleep at night with the engine running steady all night.... after the first week

So what reefer unit is the best for durability? I want something that doesn't suffer from breakdowns much.

I think Thermoking is an obvious choice, but what year/model?
Ill never run California, so that's not an issue, but the unit will see hot weather, frequently.

Any model of reefer to avoid? carrier for example?
I would like something I can get emergency parts for with ease.

Any trailer brand that you would completely rule out?

My no list so far is, No roll door, no steel trailer floor/frame.

I know it is a broad question, and sorry for that. Thank you for your imput.

 

Dane, Stoughton, Utility or Wabash should be good. Vanguard/CIMC and Hyundai are imported junk. Even if they're not junk, there's still issues with ordering parts.

"Flat" floors are more durable, but also more weight and hard to find with swing doors.

Lots of older discussions in this forum with good info.

 

Utility or a hound is the only way to go IMO, utility are a little bit cheaper and a little bit lighter, but GD are just built to last, I would forgo the wabash. Either way make sure you get the high scuff pads so the window lickers don’t tear your walls up.

I have a TK sb200 that currently has about 15k eng hours on it and hasn’t been doing bad, I do a lot of frozen but I’d probably just go with a new 600 or 700 if I was going with a new trailer, I like old trucks, easy to work on, but if a reefer goes down you are going to have other issues then just the break down

 

The president units need a tk rep to do repairs is what I hear.

 

I have no idea one of the guys I haul for has a few and hasn’t done anything other then basic pms to them, still kinda new to know long term.

i would also add a 100 gallon fuel tank to the list

 

New is out of the question. I want one before Christmas.

 

The new Stoughton reefers have some nice specs and they make a real solid dryvan.

 

I bet that's an urban legend. Parts is parts.

 

I have 9-10 precedent units. Some of the parts are far more expensive than the other units. Things you can do to others to keep running will not work with the precedent. Only advantage right now is they are "carb forever" units.

 

Do you have to go to a dealer to get service?