Choosing a Semitrailer for Your Trucking Business

When the time comes to strike out on your own as an owner/operator in the trucking industry, buying a truck is often the first thing you do. Eventually, you may get to the place where you want to buy a trailer, but you must consider some things before you head to a semitrailer dealership to pick one out.

Trailer Types

If you have been driving for a while and hauling freight for other companies, you most likely have used whatever trailer was provided, picking it up and delivering it, then moving on to the next load. When it is time to buy your trailer, you will need to decide what kind of trailer you want. 

A semitrailer dealer will often have many different options, but not all trailers will carry the freight you want to haul, so the first decision will be what are you going to specialize in. If you want to retain some flexibility in the cargo you carry, a dry van or a refrigerated van might be the way to go. 

A refrigerated van can be used with the cooler turned off to haul standard loads. Still, if there is an opportunity to carry food or frozen goods, it can be turned on, making it a good option for a driver that wants the flexibility to haul many different things. 

Trailer Sizes

It is essential to consider the size of the trailer you are buying as well. The semitrailer dealership may have everything from forty-five-foot vans to fifty-three-foot units available, but there are limits on the trailer's sizes that you can use in some states. 

If you buy a fifty-three-foot trailer, you may not be able to haul goods into parts of the country and be limiting your load options, so be sure that you know what those limitations are when choosing a trailer.

A shorter trailer could mean more work in some cases, so a forty-five foot trailer may carry a little less freight, but if you can take more loads, the truck and trailer will be earning more consistently. 

Trailer Upkeep and Service

When you visit the semi-trailer dealership, be sure to ask about trailer service options. The dealer will generally offer service for the trailer brands they sell, but it is essential to know what they provide for service and if they can provide warranty work for you. 

The driver often handles the basic trailer maintenance, but if you have a problem that you can not fix, knowing that you can take the trailer to the dealer for repair can offer some peace of mind. Keep in mind, if you are on the other end of the country, you may need to go elsewhere for repairs.

For more information, companies like Ruble Truck Sales Inc can help.

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