Millions of temperature-controlled products must reach store shelves every day. That's one of the reasons why many refrigerated vehicle drivers are paid more than dry-van drivers. Although the driver of a flatbed truck or dry van may get stuck and have to wait for an appointment, appointments with the refrigerated van are better scheduled and, if there is a waiting time, it is better to pay for them. Yes, you get paid while you wait.
Your waiting time becomes more time for you. Another question that is now becoming even more burning. With rapidly rising fuel prices, the more time you spend on the road delivering, the less you'll be paid. Once again, refrigerated trucks have a greater advantage with FTL and are shorter, but better paid per ride.
However, I understand that the reefer has a more consistent freight rate and usually a small cpm premium compared to the dry van. While refrigerated vans cost more upfront than dry vans, there's a higher demand for refrigerated trucks, allowing you to charge more for your refrigerated transportation services. This cargo is usually transported on pallets or boxes and can travel short or long distances in a dry van. Some dry van trailers come equipped with loading ramps or roll-up doors, while others have with aerodynamic skirts.
As there are far fewer components in a dry van, the cost is much more affordable for trucking companies. However, when transporting dry cargo with a refrigerated van instead of a dry van, there are a few things to keep in mind. In addition, since dry vans are completely enclosed, the cargo is well protected against theft, damage, rain, snow, hail and other external elements, making them an excellent choice no matter where you drive. After all, trailers for dry vans are fully enclosed and easy to lock, so it will be difficult for someone to steal your cargo.
In addition, your load capacity will be lower when using a refrigerated trailer instead of a dry van, since the insulating and fiberglass panels that keep the trailer's temperature controlled eliminate an average of three inches of space on the sides and top of the trailer. Sure, you can look for a dry van to drop and hook, but you could have the same number of delays while looking for that empty one to hook it up after it falls on you, or waiting for the sender to load the trailer you had to hook up. However, if you know that you won't need to transport temperature-sensitive loads, opting for a dry van or a refrigerated van can help you reduce initial costs. When comparing the rates of refrigerated vans with those of dry vans, you can usually charge more for your services if you have a refrigerated van.
As with anything, dry vans have some drawbacks that are worth addressing if you're considering a dry van versus a refrigerated van. Reefers are a great option for many carriers, but there are also some downsides to consider when comparing a reefer to a dry van. Refrigerated truck drivers must arrive at the warehouse with the trucks clean and at the pre-set temperature for a specific load. You can transport dry or temperature-sensitive goods with a refrigerated trailer, but that's not the case with a van dry.
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