Anyone have a good recommendation for reefer in a

[mrgoodtude]

Better half and I a are hitting the highway in March. She is an office manager and I have been an OTR, O/O and have run local air freight. Look forward to combining our niches and seeing the country, but have been unable to locate any information on "D" series reefer units.

We're selling the "baby" for the down payment on the truck and anticipate being out a couple of years hitting it heavy to start out. Failure is not an option (she'd shoot me, hell she's got me asking for directions these days).

We would appreciate any guidance as I have looked at various websites and visited FL of Knoxville and have found nothing, but a really nice Acterra (with hood intact).

Also interested in the potential of a KW 300 series with same set up.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Kitty Litter and Ms Puss:

 

[raceman]

RE: Anyone have a good recommendation for reefer i

Check Freightliner in Columbus they had one. Hope you don't mind my asking why are you looking at refer? You know I did read your entire title. I may have jumped the gun here. You could also check Wells Fargo assest list they have trucks all the time. I assume you are looking a sleeper on there as well. Maybe call Alumi Bunk in Detroit. Don Portis is on here and if sees your question he might be able to help. He is with Alumi Bunk in Detroit.

RaceMan

---Why Hug a tree when you can sit on a Diesle---

 

[Glen Rice]

RE: Anyone have a good recommendation for reefer i

I would contact Freightliner Knoxville and possibly Vomac Trucks in Ft. Wayne they both have extensive knowledge of Reefer "D" units. I would stick to the big boys to help you spec your truck as your going to spend 150,000.00 plus. The money is in reefers for sure. You with the proper company and business sense and ambition generate 165 to 200 thousand a year. Is that what your looking for? Thermo King and Carrier make good units and I would talk to anyone who will listen to get the background you need on this project. Good luck and lets keep the questions flying! Drive safe and be profitable!

 

[raceman]

RE: Anyone have a good recommendation for reefer i

I am just looking to hear how you decided to look into refer. I am not interested in your answer from a money standpoint. This is no more than a nosey question. Have you run that before. I find that interesting.

RaceMan

---Why Hug a tree when you can sit on a Diesle---

 

[mrgoodtude]

RE: Anyone have a good recommendation for reefer i

Thanx all for the response and I will follow up on recommendations, our reasons for wanting to purhase a reefer unit are simple, variety of freight options and gross revenue as well as not being stifled by seasonal freight.We want to be able to run consistantly and reserve the right to catch or visit every major league ball park in the country with in the next 3 years while we are out. We are serious about the business but are empty nesters in our selfish stage and strive to enjoy the best this country has to offer while making a decent living. Kitty Litter and Ms Puss

 

[raceman]

RE: Anyone have a good recommendation for reefer i

Thanks for your honest answer. The reason I asked is my son in law has been looking at that he has been talking with folks at Fed Ex. He took over one of my vans and runs for Fed Ex ground. He wants to get into it to visit all the race tracks. I had no idea but that was my reason for wondering. Sounds like a great way to do it. Best of luck.

RaceMan

---Why Hug a tree when you can sit on a Diesle---

 

[davekc]

RE: Anyone have a good recommendation for reefer i

If you are going the reefer and liftgate option, clearly go to a used vehicle. If proceeding with a new vehicle, run the other way. With the cost of a reefer and liftgate you will not be able to capture your investment. While the rates are a little higher, you will be expected to deadhead greater distances to pick up that load.
I had numerous trucks in a fleet and I can tell you from experience you will take a financial hit if you proceed down this path. Of course going used will change that. Then it is only relavant to the price you paid for the truck. If you are with the right carrier, I wouldn't worry to much about lack of freight. At least for the next few years. Also remember that these pieces of equipment require alot of additional costs as far a maintenance, a insulated freight box, and fuel. As stated, I wouldn't waste my money.
Davekc

 

[mrgoodtude]

RE: Anyone have a good recommendation for reefer i

Thanks Dave for the information. This is Mike's other half responding.

After reading so much on this website (which is excellent and has filled my head to the point of exploding sometimes), I have been able to get a much better grasp on expediting. I have worked in an office environment for the past 30 years and am totally burned out of the "corporate" world. I have excellent managerial and business skills where Mike has been in the trucking business and hopefully with both of our experience, we will benefit in the expediting business.

We are looking at all options and after reading a lot of the forums, we found that there are limited reefer units running and know there is a demand for this type of freight, but do not want to be limited to only reefer freight. However, I was stunned at the cost of a new unit (thank you Glen) and wondered if the figures Glen gave on possible gross revenue was possible.

I have searched all over the internet looking for used reefer units with a sleeper and have come up empty. Any suggestions?

I am very serious about getting started in this business and I refuse to be defeated. I am a fighter to the end and never give up.

Kitty Litter and Ms Puss

 

[davekc]

RE: Anyone have a good recommendation for reefer i

I have had seven of these units at the same time and it is my experience that you will receive higher revenue, but it will not off set the initial investment as well as the operating cost. That is even taking the depreciation into account. There are few for sale because most will not make that investment because of the return. Under most circumstances, it is the newer drivers that will borrow to the hilt to get these vehicles. Because there are so few, a carrier will run you empty to cover these loads. In otherwords, you are running around for nothing, or close to it.
As Glen stated, the revenue will be higher, but your net will be about the same. Over a five year span, these reefer units did roughly the same as the ones without it. Several were leased to the same company. "It is not what you make, but what you keep"
Davekc
On a side note, the ones I did own were bought through an auction in Ft. Wayne Indiana for pennies on the dollar. They were all repos.

 

[RichM]

RE: Anyone have a good recommendation for reefer i

listen to Dave,he offers excellent advice.Over the years I have thought of having a reefer but the costs and the deadhead that would be offered to you to cover reefer loads have kept me out of it.
Another point is that many reefer loads are not to keep the product cold but the reverse,keep it warm in sub zero conditions.
Would you like the stress involved in picking up a load in Cleveland when it is 10 degrees out,driving all night to Minneapolis where it is 7 below,and having to keep your cargo at 60 degrees.

 

[Preacher]

RE: Anyone have a good recommendation for reefer i

I would start by looking around for a used cab & chassis with a loooong wheelbase. Next I would locate a used reefer box the length you want (22'-24'). Add a sleeper, an extra fuel tank, a drop down tag axle, and some landing gear, and you're all set!

Sleepers sell for around $500-600 on ebay. I have seen used reefer boxes for around $5000-7000. Cab & chassis units are also reasonable on the used market. You could also buy a complete reefer rig without a sleeper, have the frame stretched (about $5000), then add a sleeper.

Either way would be a whole lot cheaper than new.

 

[geo]

RE: Anyone have a good recommendation for reefer i

give bill moore a call at tsi in north jackson oh 800 388 3850
also look at want adds here on eo might see what you here
he sales western star's and also has alot of info on how to
set up what you want

 

[davekc]

RE: Anyone have a good recommendation for reefer i

Taking on a major rebuild using used parts is not recommended. Even more so if you are not experienced in this endeavor. A new truck with tag axle, carrier approved reefer, and liftgate is around $125,000 to $150,00. And you could spend more than that if so desired. That is just the basics. At current freight rates and tariffs, the numbers don't justify the investment.
Davekc
On a side note, if you need extra freezer space because the refrigerator at home is full, maybe a reefer unit is in your future. Once again, not recommended for freight income.
Davekc

 

[Special K]

RE: Anyone have a good recommendation for reefer i

Special K
If ever there was a time for driving for a small-fleet owner first, this would be it. There are a few that run reefers; you could see for yourselves what you could make if it were all yours, the deadhead, and the general bother of all the extra stuff that's involved. Does anyone out there know if any of those owners would take on newbies (new as far as the reefer stuff goes)?

 

[expeditesales]

RE: Anyone have a good recommendation for reefer i

I would recommend the Supra 844 from Carrier has a range from -20 to 80 degees, it has remote in cab command with a microprocessor
control with auto start/stop, we supply them with a datacold
temp recorder and printer. The unit is Ozone friendly, 05K24 Four cylinder compressor, CT3-44 Trivortex engine, on the in cab commandit also has the following critical cargo monitor, audible temperature alarm, red light visual warning alarm, diagnostic saferty indicators, timed defrost interval, and automatic pretrip and safety check function.

Hope this helps,
Don Portice

 

[mrgoodtude]

RE: Anyone have a good recommendation for reefer i

Thank you all for your input. We don't want to get trapped into only getting reefer freight. We thought that having a reefer unit would make us more available to additional freight and don't want to be overlooked at getting runs for freight other than for reefers.

We are going to look at just expediting for the time being and keep an eye out for reefer units after we have some experience under our belts.

Have a great one!

Kitty Litter and Ms Puss

 

[davekc]

RE: Anyone have a good recommendation for reefer i

I think you are making a wise decision. Since there are so few out there, it would be expected to DH considerably for a carrier. From their point of view they want to cover as much freight as possible. That is why they will DH a reefer unit farther to cover those loads. The problem is, it is on your dime not the carrier.
Alumibunk listed all the necessary equipment for a reefer set up below. No matter how you flip it, it is expensive and alot to mess with. What he has is worse than I had because of carrier requirements. We didn't have all that monitoring items when we had ours. Glad we didn't. Wait until that needs maintenance or a repair.
Once again...smart move
Davekc

 

[louixo]

RE: Anyone have a good recommendation for reefer i

My advice would be to forget the reefer and the liftgate. If you have a liftgate you will be going to the parking lot loads out of motels etc., as well as dock loads. Some of them are really NO FUN. As a husband and wife team, you should run consistently with the right carrier, and you won´t need the reefer or liftgate. I had a friend who ran that combination and after a year he dropped it, for all the reasons you´re reading about. There isn´t that much reefer/liftgate frieght out there. It´s LOADED MILES that count.

 

[Fkatz]

RE: Anyone have a good recommendation for reefer i

First of all if yo u get a reefer unit, there is a very good chance that you will mostly get produce and taking it to mom and pop supermarkets or the larger food distribution center which really you do not want to get involved with, I 've been there and done that. with a reefer company,
you take a expediated load to lets say Atlanta, they will have you deadheading from atlanta to the southern georgia line on I75 around Tifton, picking up valdalia onions, even though it a small load, they will load you from ceiling to floor no skids, and your the one that would have to unload them when you arrive at the reciever. they do not, you must do it yourself, or hire a lumper to do it at these food warehouses.
have to get there between 4am at food lion, and wait until 7am when they open and then wait until your called to get a door to back up to, they normally take produce 1st but all the deliveries are scheduled for everyone to arrive at the same time and you wait. that was then, I do not know whats the situation is now.
If your in florida, california, Arizona it would be easier to get out of there with a reefer unit for sure. but with a 24ft box you can only carrier to small receivers unless they missed or overloaded a 53'trailer.

Frank

 

[Special K]

RE: Anyone have a good recommendation for reefer i

In expediting, reefer units almost equal FedEx Custom Critical White Glove. And it's not just "reefer", but climate control - as in keeping stuff warm when it's cold outside. There are a number of categories which use climate control, and not one of them involves groceries. Artwork (often from museums), pharmaceuticals, top-dollar specialty food for high-priced restaurants, electronic stuff of amazing variety...are a few that come to mind. I know that the guys who have nay-sayed the liftgate/reefer are doing so with complete sincerity, and I have no wish to butt heads with anyone. But there is another way to look at it. When considering the investment,yes, it's a whopper, BUT...we know a team who have been at FECC WG for about 13 yrs. Over the last year they grossed $280,000. And they don't kill themselves to do it - out 3 wks, home a week. FECC requires ("up to") 6 months doing "regular" expediting with them before you can apply for White Glove, so it's not for newbies. And getting nuclear+explosives training and national security clearance is "a bother".But the potential is there. And yes, there is more deadheading, for the reasons already mentioned, BUT...the pay makes up for it. I think Doc and I may hold a record for deadhead on a trip; back in our Roberts Express days we got the "opportunity" to deadhead from Shreveport, LA (where we had just unloaded bombs at Barksdale AFB)to Palmdale, CA (yes, you read that right) to transport a missile from there to Orlando. Before you shake your collective heads and mutter "No way!", I'll tell you that we did do it...because it paid $6000 for 4 days work. As I said, I don't mean to ruffle feathers, just thought it might be food for thought. Have a super-duper-peachy-keen day! Marda