Aluminum VS Translucent

We haul dozens of new trailers from manufacturer to dealer every year. 12 years ago when I started hauling power only, about 20% of the market was translucent roofs. Now it is a rarity.
The biggest pro is also one of the biggest cons. It lets light in alright, and makes the interior of the trailer easier to see, but also much hotter. Some shippers won't load translucent roofs for that reason. Think greenhouse.
Translucent roofs simply don't have the lifespan of the aluminum. The UV kills them and after about 8 years they get crispy, crack and begin to leak. They have to replaced regularly. Aluminum will last the life of the trailer unless it is hit or damaged.
You can get translucent roof trailers cheaper because you will have to replace the roof soon, if not immediately.

 

The technology for translucent roofs is better than what it was 10 to 12 years ago and they do last longer now. They were the rage back then. Now dealers will buy up huge lots of old translucent roof trailers and replace the roof with aluminum because no-one wants them. Like said lots of shippers refuse to load them. Get aluminum roof for sure.

 

Just temporarily if you wanted to, for about $500, you could insulate the ceiling. I did my old trailer like that and never got rejected on loads that would otherwise reject a translucent roof trailer. Go to Home Depot or Lowes and get some 1/2" thick 4'×8' sheets of foam board insulation like they put in houses. Got some kind of flat sheet metal plates about 4"×4" with holes in them and attached the sheets with those and self tapping screws into the roof bows. Works great for nursery loads too. The only problem is with freight that is tall. I always had to slide my axles to the back when I docked and also dump the air out of the bags to help keep tall freight out of it. Always, always slide the axles back with it. Even with that about twice a year some numb skull would get into the ceiling near the tail gate and tear up a piece. But real easy to replace only about $15 a sheet.