Choosing the Right Trailer for CDL Drivers: Reefer, Van, Flatbed, Step Deck, Tank & More

By Open Way Inc – August 2025

For professional CDL drivers, selecting the right trailer can define not only your day-to-day work but also your earning potential, lifestyle, and career satisfaction. With so many trailer types—each serving different industries, loads, and routes—it’s essential to understand the differences, advantages, and challenges of each.

Below, we break down the most common trailer types and what drivers should consider before choosing their specialty.

1. Dry Van Trailers

Description: Dry vans are enclosed trailers, usually 53 feet long, used for transporting general freight that doesn’t require refrigeration. Most retail, e-commerce, and consumer goods shipments use dry vans.

Pros:

• Simple to load and unload with dock access.

• Protects cargo from weather and theft.

• High demand nationwide; lots of consistent freight.

• Lower risk of load damage compared to open trailers.

Cons:

• Often limited to dock-to-dock deliveries; not ideal for oversized items.

• Can be repetitive and less physically active than flatbed or step deck hauling.

• Rates for dry van freight are generally moderate, less seasonal peaks compared to reefer or specialized trailers.

Driver Tips:Dry van is ideal for drivers seeking predictable schedules and consistent freight. E-commerce and retail-heavy regions provide steady opportunities.

2. Refrigerated (Reefer) Trailers

Description: Reefers are insulated, climate-controlled trailers for perishable goods such as food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and temperature-sensitive products.

Pros:

• Higher pay potential, especially for high-demand routes and time-sensitive loads.

• Variety of loads keeps work interesting.

• Critical for essential goods—high reliability and demand.

Cons:

• Requires careful temperature monitoring; mistakes can be costly.

• Often requires early mornings or late nights for loading/unloading produce or grocery deliveries.

• Higher maintenance costs due to refrigeration units.

Driver Tips:Best for drivers who enjoy variety, don’t mind strict schedule windows, and are comfortable with handling temperature-sensitive freight.

3. Flatbed Trailers

Description: Flatbeds are open trailers with no walls, ideal for oversized, irregular, or heavy freight such as machinery, steel, lumber, and construction materials.

Pros:

• High pay rates for specialized or hazardous freight.

• Greater variety in routes and load types.

• Opportunity to learn load securement and heavy hauling skills.

Cons:

• Requires knowledge of load securement (chains, straps, tarps).

• Exposed to weather; extra precautions for cargo protection.

• Can be physically demanding during loading/unloading and tarping.

Driver Tips:Flatbed is excellent for drivers seeking variety, higher pay, and a more hands-on role. It’s a top choice for those who like working outdoors and don’t mind more physical activity.

4. Step Deck Trailers (Drop Deck)

Description: Step deck trailers are similar to flatbeds but have a lower deck height after the first few feet, allowing taller loads to be hauled without violating height restrictions.

Pros:

• Can carry taller and awkward loads that won’t fit on standard flatbeds.

• Pays more for specialized freight.

• Often used in construction, machinery, and industrial freight.

Cons:

• Same load securement requirements as flatbeds.

• Slightly more complicated to load due to deck design.

• Less common than standard flatbeds, so fewer daily load options in some regions.

Driver Tips:Step decks are ideal for drivers comfortable with flatbeds who want to handle taller or more specialized freight for higher pay.

5. Tank Trailers

Description: Tank trailers transport liquids or gases, including fuel, chemicals, and food-grade products like milk or juice. They come in insulated, refrigerated, or pressurized designs depending on cargo type.

Pros:

• Often higher pay per mile.

• Specialized freight reduces competition.

• Valuable skillset for drivers seeking tank-specific certifications.

Cons:

• Hazardous material handling often required (HAZMAT endorsements).

• Sensitive to weight distribution and road conditions; requires careful driving.

• Limited flexibility for non-liquid freight.

Driver Tips:Tank hauling is perfect for CDL drivers with HAZMAT endorsements seeking specialized, higher-paying loads. Safety and attention to detail are critical.

6. Other Trailer Types

• Conestoga / Sliding Flatbed: Flatbed with tarp system for quick cover of sensitive loads. Good for long-haul protection.

• Lowboy / Heavy Haul Trailers: For extremely heavy or oversized equipment, often requiring permits and escort vehicles.

• Dump Trailers: For construction, agriculture, or bulk material hauling; high physical work during loading/unloading.

• Intermodal / Container Chassis: For moving containers between ports and inland destinations; mostly short-haul, steady work.

Driver Tips:These specialized trailers are for drivers seeking niche freight opportunities. Many pay well but may involve additional endorsements, permits, or specialized training.

Key Considerations When Choosing a Trailer

1. Pay vs. Lifestyle: Flatbeds and reefers often pay more but can be physically demanding or involve irregular hours. Vans are steady but usually lower-paying.

2. Skill & Endorsements: Tanks require HAZMAT; flatbeds need load securement knowledge; reefers require temperature monitoring.

3. Physical Demand: Step decks and flatbeds involve more physical work than dry vans.

4. Regional & Industry Opportunities: Some trailers are more in demand in certain regions or industries (e.g., tankers in Gulf Coast, reefers in produce-heavy states).

5. Career Growth: Specialty trailers can open doors for premium lanes, private fleet contracts, and project freight.

   
   

Final Thoughts

There is no “one-size-fits-all” trailer type. The best choice depends on your preferred work style, lifestyle, earning goals, and skillset. At Open Way Inc, we provide opportunities across flatbed and step deck, helping CDL drivers find the trailer that matches both their career goals and personal preferences.

Whether you want high-paying specialized loads, or variety and adventure, understanding each trailer’s strengths and challenges is the first step toward a successful, satisfying trucking career.

CDL Drivers – Join the Best Flatbed Team

If you’re a CDL Class A driver searching for a step deck or flatbed job with a trusted company, Open Way Inc is hiring! With a zero-accident safety record, steady freight, top pay, and driver-first amenities, we are the carrier drivers trust.👉 Apply Now and start your career with Open Way Inc.