What is more profitable in trailers? Reefer, dry van, flatbeds, etc

They are all the same. the percentage is slightly different but like 0.0001 more or less.
Just depends on your way of living and the ability to find a company that loads you quickly and good rates.
e.g.: Flatbed better paid, more work but need to find a really specialized company to load you well.
as a rule of thumb, big companies have a lot of rules, pays so so but not so many miles as the little ones.
It is too much to discuss you will discover yourself all this after few years.
I'm new too but i did a lot of practical research.
The bottom line, at the end of the week/month/year its about the same $$$$. very little difference

 

There is a lot that goes into this answer. I was heading the direction flatbed but decided on dry van (I have done the reefer deal and hated the 4 am deliveries, lumpers, union BS).

Flatbed is more expensive to get into and a lot more work. Look at some of the threads here about what it takes to be a flatbedder. But it tends to pay better. Flip side is that unless you have things set-up well you will likely do more dead heading.

One old time flatbedder told me the same thing he told his sons. If your are going to flatbed you have to commit to it for the long-term. It costs more to get into it and takes longer to get good at it.

I may still end-up going that way in a year or so. But if I do it will be with a Conestoga system. No interest in tarps.

 

depends more on what you revenue is than what trailer you pull.. or what company you are running for...

 

I pull a step and really like it, more interesting,challenging loads,seems like you meet friendlier people and go more interesting places, also more work, but hey I need the excercise. I think it pays better for the most part and most places get you unloaded in a timely manner. I had to deliver to a couple of DC's last week , what a joke, I don't know how doorslammers deal with that crap every day,I don't have the patience to deal with those fools making you sit around and wait for them to get in the mood to unload you.You have to carry a lot of gear and figure out how to store it, tarping sucks.

 

For the most part, the more specialized the trailer, the higher the rate. You usually do less deadheading with a van, but rates are usually less than with something more specialized. When you pull a reefer you can haul van and reefer loads. I have a friend who has been doing very well pulling a dry van until recently. I haul step deck and flat bed freight. Steps tend to pay more than flats, but trailers can cost more to purchase. Primary freight lanes can vary according to the type of freight you haul. I would suggest that you find an area that you enjoy and not worry too much about the money. When you enjoy what you do the money usually comes. You already have a reefer. People still have to eat. Of course, there are other things than food that require a reefer that pay well.

I have pulled most everything over the years. There are headaches in every segment. If you don't want to deal with the reefer, you can always concentrate on van freight or sell the reefer and buy a van. It takes a little time to learn how to properly secure a flat bed load. Steps can be a little more challenging than flats.

With a van or reefer you mostly back into the dock and wait. With a flat or open deck trailer you will often need to tarp. We tarp in rain, snow and low temps in winter or 100+ degree temperatures during summer. It can be physically demanding. You usually don't get very dirty pulling a reefer or van. Pulling open deck trailers you will usually get dirty when loading or unloading.

 

I pull Reefer and will not touch a load under $2 60% of my loads are dry and most of those under 5Klbs rates I been getting range from $2.01 to $3.84 depending on lane. Now I have deadheaded 444 miles back home from york pa on a load because I refuse to haul cheap but I still averaged $2.29 a mile all miles on that load I have even had a couple shippers call me to haul a load

 

Hey, i drill out of lexington, NC

 

Reefer trailers are fairly expensive if you buy new. There is also more maintenance than flats or vans. You will need to spend about $2,200-2,500 to buy tarps, chains, binders, etc., if you want to pull a flat bed. This is in addition to the cost of the trailer. Another consideration is securement training. It would help if you could find someone to train you in proper securement. An improperly secured load could cost you dearly. Much of it is common sense. There are decent rates on most types of freight right now, although some areas seem to be pushing rates down. Some segments can be more of a hassle than others. With reefers you will probably need to deal with grocery warehouses, which means unions. Union workers tend to keep trucks tied up much longer than necessary. With vans or reefers you may need to assist with some unloading or hire lumper's. Flats and steps can also deal with unions. Steel plants are mostly union, especially in the Midwest and Northeast. Some are fairly good about getting the truck loaded and unloaded. Others will take their time. I also deal with construction sites. Many of those are also union, but it is rare to have a long wait. Sit down and think about the type of freight you would rather haul. If you are a good negotiator, you should find decent rates, regardless of the type of freight you haul.