When buying equipment for your trucking company, you may find yourself choosing between a reefer or a dry van, which are the most commonly used trucks used in transporting freights.
Unfortunately, no one answer fits all. The answer to the question of whether a dry van or a reefer is a better option for your transportation needs depends on many factors.
So, if you want to make an informed decision, make sure to check the information below on comparing reefers vs dry vans.
What pays more reefer or dry van
Generally, reefer loads pay more than dry van loads and there good reasons for that.
Difference between a reefer trailer and a dry van trailer
The core difference between reefer trailers and dry van trailers is that the reefers are used for hauling perishable products requiring temperature control while the dry van trailers are used for hauling any type of dry products.
Let's examine the pros and cons of dry vans
Characteristics
- Dry vans most often come in 48 feet and 53 feet in length.
- Dry vans can load a weight ranging from 42,000 to 45,000 pounds of non-perishable products.
Pros
- Dry vans can carry a variety of non-perishable flood, building, and construction materials type of cargo for short or long runs.
- Dry van's box configuration protects the transported cargo from weather and external elements.
- Very often dry vans are used for drop and hook types of loads. This keeps the truck moving and saves the driver's time.
- Affordability - dry van trailers are more affordable than many other hauling methods.
Cons
- The main challenge with dry vans is their wood floor. Wood is easily damaged by moisture and condensation which means needing more repairs.
Let's examine the pros and cons of reefer trailers
Characteristics
- Reefers are designed to haul any perishable products that require temperature-controlled ambiance.
- Reefers are much more insulated than a typical dry van.
- Most common reefer trailers sizes come at 48 feet and 53 feet lengths.
- Refrigerated trailers boast a maximum weight capacity of right around 42,500 pounds.
Pros
- Floors are usually made of metal because it handles temperature changes and moisture much better than wood.
- A reefer trailer can be used to haul dry items as long as it is disconnected from the refrigeration system.
- Typically, there is always demand for transportation of perishable goods, and the load rate is usually higher than that of dry van load rates.
- The reefer trailer's configuration also secures the load inside protecting it from weather and external items.
Cons
- The inside cargo space is usually smaller because of added insulation.
- Reefer trailers come with responsivities on the drivers. It needs to be cleaned thoroughly between loads, and the driver needs to control and monitor the trailer temperature.
- The constantly running engine can disturb the driver while sleeping.
- Reefers are more expensive to operate.
