Dry Van vs. Reefer: Which Trailer Should You Be Hauling?
If you've been sitting in the cab long enough, you've asked yourself this question at least once — should I be running a dry van or pulling a reefer? Both have their place on the highway, but they're different animals. Let's break it down the way dispatchers and drivers actually talk about it, no sugarcoating. The Real Difference Between Dry Van and Reefer Hauling A dry van is your standard 53-foot enclosed trailer . No temperature control, no monitoring — just freight and four walls. Retail goods, auto parts, paper products, non-perishable food — that's the bread and butter of dry van freight. A reefer (refrigerated van) runs a refrigeration unit that keeps cargo within a set temperature range. You're hauling produce, dairy, pharmaceuticals, or frozen goods. The reefer never sleeps — that unit runs 24/7. Dry Van: The Volume Play Dry van is the highest-volume freight segment in the country. According to the American Trucking Associations,...