Reefer vs dry van vs flatbed: which trailer fits you?

The trailer you pull shapes your day more than the color of the truck.

Dry van

The most common job by far: 461 of the openings in our database. Freight is boxed and palletized, usually loaded by the shipper. Typical advertised weekly pay: $1,400.

Good for: new drivers, drivers who want the most options. Watch for: live unloads and long waits at warehouses.

Reefer (refrigerated)

Food and temperature-sensitive freight. Typical advertised weekly pay: $1,300.

Good for: drivers who like steady freight (people always eat). Watch for: appointment times around the clock, more detention (about 56% of reefer stops involve waiting, per ATRI), and keeping an eye on the reefer unit.

Flatbed

Steel, lumber, machinery. Typical advertised weekly pay: $1,450.

Good for: drivers who like physical work and want to stand out. Securement skill is valuable. Watch for: tarping and chaining in all weather, more physical risk, and carriers that require flatbed experience.

Intermodal containers

Short runs between rail yards, ports and warehouses, often home daily. Typical advertised weekly pay: $1,400.

How to choose

Pick the trailer that fits the life you want, not the one with the highest number in an ad. If you want home time, look at intermodal and dedicated dry van. If you want to build skills that pay later, flatbed is worth a look.