Dry Van To Reefer
Topic 31316 | Page 1
I have never driven reefer. But, from what I have learned from others, they entail much more live loads and unloads. Reefer drivers have to sometimes do washouts of their trailers after an unload, and make sure that the reefer fuel tanks have fuel. Reefer usually pays more for the extra trouble.
Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.
What happened with Schneider Bruce? They just couldn’t get you in a truck?
I do about 50 to 60% drop and hook on at least one side. Yes wait times in docks are long for grocery distribution centers... You must washout the trailer before and after meat and produce loads. Many times you can get away with sweeping or leaf blowing. Meat and produce loads can take forever to load.
As for the reefer...push a button to set the temp... Fill the tank when you fuel. No big deal.
And yes... Now they driving is required due to many receivers only taking certain types of food at certain times... Ex..meat betwee midnight and 6am... Produce between 3pm and midnight. Each company has its own schedule.
Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.
Drop And Hook:
Drop and hook means the driver will drop one trailer and hook to another one.
In order to speed up the pickup and delivery process a driver may be instructed to drop their empty trailer and hook to one that is already loaded, or drop their loaded trailer and hook to one that is already empty. That way the driver will not have to wait for a trailer to be loaded or unloaded.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
What happened with Schneider Bruce? They just couldn’t get you in a truck?
Well so far I haven’t driven in a month. Some of the delay was due to medical paperwork related to my DOT exam. Finally got all that taken care of but they say they are still trying to find a truck for me and I think it’s bs. So I’m checking out other options . I went back in the TT archives and checked out previous discussions about reefer driving. Now I’ve determined that I want to stick with dry van. But if I don’t get a truck assigned to me this week, I may switch companies. Marten looks good (thanks Harvey and Michael)
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Dry Van:
A trailer or truck that that requires no special attention, such as refrigeration, that hauls regular palletted, boxed, or floor-loaded freight. The most common type of trailer in trucking.Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.
I am also considering Marten. I have been doing research the last several days while my truck is in the shop. Marten is close to home and seems like a good company.
Bruce! Have you talked with your Schneider people and explained your thoughts just as you have here? " Get me into another truck ASAP, or I'm in orientation with XYZ Transport next week."
If not, I think you need to. Waiting a month is ridiculous IMHO.
SAP:
Substance Abuse Professional
The Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is a person who evaluates employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol program regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare.
I agree with this Bruce.
Bruce! Have you talked with your Schneider people and explained your thoughts just as you have here? " Get me into another truck ASAP, or I'm in orientation with XYZ Transport next week."
If not, I think you need to. Waiting a month is ridiculous IMHO.
SAP:
Substance Abuse Professional
The Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is a person who evaluates employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol program regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare.
Check out Continental Express they are a reefer unit but a driver I know worked for them and said he loved it. Mostly no touch freight. He tried O/op and I think he is trying to return to CE. 
Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.
If you do not want to work nights, I suggest you do not do reefer. Reefer has a lot of grocery stops that will unload in the early mornings.
Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.
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Schneider National Choosing A Trucking Company Dry van Refrigerated Truck Driving Lifestyle
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I have an opportunity to switch from dry van to reefer with another company. What is the learning curve to make a change like that? I don’t want to do a lot of night driving. What aspects are harder or easier?
Dry Van:
A trailer or truck that that requires no special attention, such as refrigeration, that hauls regular palletted, boxed, or floor-loaded freight. The most common type of trailer in trucking.Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.