What type of trailer fits you better?
Are you focused to earn more, and can perform physical work (like TARPing and putting the chains)? Or do you prefer to stay warm in the truck and wait to be loaded?
Let’s take a look at some of the differences between the two most popular trailer types used for freight shipping services:
1) The flat bed trailer is extremely versatile for transportation, but the most convenient thing about this trailer is the variety of options it has for unloading or loading and the ability to haul large and oversized objects or machinery that would not be possible with standard trailers. The flat bed trailer is flat and has open sides and back, this allows the cargo to be loaded and unloaded from the sides or the back of the trailer without interference from the trailer itself. A forklift can be used to load and unload anything from palletized loads, machinery, equipment and more. Since the flatbed trailer has no sides or top, even a crane can be used to move freight from the trailer. While the trailer is great for versatility, the downside is that cargo is not protected from the elements other than a tarp system.
2) Dry van trailers are a fully enclosed trailer where the freight is typically loaded and unloaded from the rear of the trailer. This can be done several ways, the most common way these trailers are used is for hauling commercial goods, trailers are backed up to a loading dock, the loading dock is the same height as the floor of the trailer, this makes for ease of loading and unloading of the trailer through the use of a forklift or pallet jacks. Forklifts can also be used to unload dry van trailers without a loading dock because the forklifts forks can rise up to the height of the deck on the trailer. Lastly if a loading dock and forklift are not available, some dry van trailers can be equipped with a lift gate, the lift gate will allow the freight on the truck to be lowered from the trailer deck to the ground through a motorized deck. If you need dry van or flat bed trailer services or any other form of shipping services check out our website and see what we have to offer!
Here are some basic thoughts on the PROS and CONS for each trailer type:
Reefer
Pros Longer Hauls (typically) More regular freight (no 'offseason' for reefer). Minimum Physical activity.
cons More Maintenance (cleaning) Second Gas Tank to fill Less Drop and Hook. Longer times loading/unloading. Strict appointments. Multiple claims.
Flatbed
Pros Better pay. No appointments.
Cons Hours to secure the load and tarp. Hard Physical work. Detailed Cargo securement training needed.
Dry Van
Pros More Drop and Hook. Not much physical activity. Not very strict appointments. Not perishable products.
cons Lowest pay.
What are you opinions on this? Comment some PROS and CONS if you have pulled a Reefer/van/Step Deck/Flatbed.
Currently, Golden Way Trucking offers flatbed and step deck trailers only.
Source: Van VS Flat Bed