Question:
During the up and down business cycles, is there a noticeable difference in “available miles” between van and refrigerated? Trying to think of variables to consider in the long term. Thanks for any info.Psalm 119:104

Answer:
For the most part you can always put dry freight in a reefer, but there are a few Dry Van only shippers.
Eddie

Answer:
Refrigerated can run van freight whereas vans can’t run refrigerated freight so freight would be more plentiful if you ran a refer.


Answer:
There can be more freight available at times for a reffer because often you can run both temp controlled and dry freight. Not always though. Alot of dry freight shippers don't want a reefer at all. For one their to heavy to haul alot of dry loads. Another problem with reefers is they can be very seasonal. land in the wrong area at the wrong time of year and you'll be deadheading. A very bad part of reefers is the warehouses you'll be dropping at. You can find yourself behind a long line of trucks waiting to get both loaded and unloaded.
I don't have a clue if your looking at company driving or what. If you want to be a company driver you can make a little more money with a dry van. Most companies do alot of drop and hooks with them and time is money.
I personally like reefers better because the need for speed. When you are loaded you pretty much have to get there. Not much time can be wasted. I also liked it because alot of runs are longer (more miles). But it has it's drawbacks with wasted time on each end.

Answer:
Another problem with reefers is that the reefer unit itself is one more contraption that can break down that a dry-van driver doesn't have to deal with. So when the reefer starts showing codes, you will be sitting at the local Thermo-King dealership cooling your heels for chump change.
Answer:
Not if your reefer is made by Carrier.
You'll be sitting at a Carrier dealer for chump change if not for free.

Answer:
OH and don't forget the "JOY" of the auto stop and start...
Sure you'll "get used to it" after a while.. but it still raises the devil with a good nights sleep.
I'll never go back to pulling a reefer..
But, for those that do my hats off to ya.. Everyone has to find their "nich" in the buisness..