The type of freight each trailer is designed to haul affects everything from equipment requirements and operating costs to loading procedures and a driver’s day-to-day responsibilities. Understanding those differences can help new drivers and owner-operators decide which type of operation best fits their goals.

Dry Vans Haul Freight That Doesn’t Require Temperature Control

Dry vans are the most common enclosed trailers operating in North America. They protect freight from weather, road debris, and theft while transporting products that can safely travel at ambient temperatures.

Common dry van freight includes:

• Retail merchandise
• Furniture
• Clothing
• Electronics
• Paper products
• Building materials
• Packaged consumer goods
• Shelf-stable food products

Once the trailer is loaded and secured, there is usually little additional trailer management required until delivery. That simplicity is one reason dry van freight remains one of the most common entry points for new CDL drivers.

Reefer Trailers Keep Freight Within a Specific Temperature Range

Reefer trailers are insulated and equipped with refrigeration units designed to maintain cargo at a predetermined temperature throughout the trip. While refrigerated freight often includes frozen foods and fresh produce, many other products also depend on temperature-controlled transportation.

Reefers frequently haul:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Frozen foods
• Meat and poultry
• Dairy products
• Pharmaceuticals
• Floral products
• Certain beverages

Depending on the shipment, the refrigeration unit may cool or heat the trailer to protect the cargo from temperature extremes. Maintaining those conditions becomes part of the driver’s responsibility from pickup through delivery. FMCSA guidance notes that drivers hauling refrigerated freight are responsible for ensuring cargo is transported safely and according to shipping requirements. (fmcsa.dot.gov)

Daily Responsibilities Change with the Trailer

Although both trailer types require safe cargo transportation, reefer drivers have additional equipment to monitor throughout the trip.

Temperature settings must match shipping instructions before leaving the dock, refrigeration units need fuel to continue operating, and alarms or mechanical problems require immediate attention. A malfunction that goes unnoticed can result in an entire load being rejected, even if it arrives on schedule.

Dry van drivers don’t have refrigeration equipment to monitor, allowing them to focus primarily on transporting and delivering the freight safely.

Loading Times Can Vary

Many dry van operations rely on drop-and-hook freight, allowing drivers to exchange trailers and continue their route with minimal delay. Live loading and unloading certainly exists in dry van trucking, but drop-and-hook opportunities are generally more common than they are in refrigerated freight.

Reefer loads often involve grocery warehouses, food distributors, or cold storage facilities where products may require inspection before being accepted. Those additional handling requirements can lead to longer loading and unloading times, depending on the customer and the type of freight being transported.

Equipment Costs Are Different

Adding refrigeration equipment also adds operating expenses.

Reefer trailers require routine maintenance for the refrigeration unit, consume additional fuel while keeping cargo at the required temperature, and generally cost more to purchase than a standard dry van. Those higher operating costs are often offset by access to specialized freight, but they remain an important consideration for owner-operators evaluating equipment purchases.

Dry vans have fewer mechanical components, making maintenance simpler while reducing overall operating costs.

Does Reefer Freight Pay More?

Refrigerated freight often commands higher rates because temperature-sensitive cargo requires specialized equipment and additional oversight. That doesn’t automatically mean reefer trucking is more profitable.

Fuel for the refrigeration unit, higher maintenance expenses, and equipment costs all affect the bottom line. Profitability depends on freight rates, operating expenses, market conditions and how consistently a truck stays loaded rather than on trailer type alone.

Choosing the Right Trailer Depends on Your Goals

Drivers looking for a straightforward operation with broad freight availability often find dry van trucking to be a good fit. The equipment is simpler, operating costs are generally lower, and freight opportunities exist throughout the country.

Reefer trucking appeals to drivers who don’t mind managing additional equipment and are interested in hauling temperature-sensitive freight. The added responsibilities create more complexity, but they also open the door to specialized freight that isn’t available to standard dry vans.

Neither trailer is objectively better. Understanding how each operation works before accepting a job or investing in equipment can help drivers choose the path that best matches their experience, business goals, and preferred style of trucking.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: August 24, 2026

The post Reefer vs. Dry Van: Understanding the Differences Before You Choose a Trailer appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

How much do flatbed drivers make in 2026?

To understand where that higher pay comes from, it helps to look at how flatbed drivers are paid. Most are paid using CPM, or cents per mile, with rates typically ranging from $0.55 to $0.75 depending on experience and route.

Beyond mileage, flatbed drivers are also compensated for the work that happens outside the cab. Hauling steel, lumber, and machinery means loads must be secured with chains and straps and often covered with tarps. These tasks add time and responsibility, which is why drivers can earn an additional $3,000 to $8,000 per year through tarping, detention, and specialized freight.

Over time, that combination of mileage and task-based pay is what pushes total earnings above other freight types.

How much do dry van drivers make in 2026?

In contrast, dry van pay is built almost entirely around miles driven. Most drivers earn between $0.50 and $0.65 per mile, leading to annual earnings of $55,000 to $75,000 depending on experience and route consistency.

The work itself is simpler. Freight is enclosed, which removes the need for load securement beyond standard loading procedures. That means no tarping, no chaining, and fewer delays tied to freight handling.

As a result, drivers benefit from more predictable schedules and less physical strain, but they also miss out on the extra pay opportunities that increase flatbed earnings.

What is the pay difference between flatbed and dry van drivers?

When those pay structures are compared side by side, the gap becomes clear. Flatbed drivers earn about $10,000 to $15,000 more per year than dry van drivers at similar experience levels.

This difference is not just about higher mileage rates. It reflects how much of the job extends beyond driving.

How does experience affect pay in each segment?

That gap becomes more noticeable as drivers gain experience. While both segments offer pay increases over time, flatbed opens the door to higher-paying freight more quickly.

Drivers starting in dry van typically earn $50,000 to $60,000, while entry-level flatbed roles often start closer to $60,000 due to the added workload. After three or more years, dry van drivers tend to land in the $65,000 to $75,000 range, while flatbed drivers can reach $75,000 to $90,000 depending on the loads they handle.

The ability to move into specialized freight is what drives that separation over time.

Why do flatbed drivers earn more?

At its core, the pay difference comes down to responsibility. Flatbed drivers are responsible for securing and protecting the load throughout the entire trip.

That includes using chains and straps, applying tarps in changing weather, and monitoring exposed freight during transit. These added responsibilities increase both workload and risk, which is why carriers pay more for these roles.

Dry van drivers, on the other hand, are primarily responsible for transport, not load handling. That distinction is what keeps pay lower despite similar driving time.

Is a flatbed worth it for higher pay?

For drivers focused on increasing income, flatbed is one of the most direct ways to do it without becoming an owner-operator. The shift from dry van to flatbed often leads to higher weekly earnings once securement skills are in place.

That said, the tradeoff is real. The work is more physical, load times are longer, and weather becomes a bigger factor in day-to-day operations.

Whether it is worth it depends on how much value you place on higher pay versus easier working conditions.

Which option is better long-term?

Looking further ahead, sustainability becomes part of the decision. Dry van is easier to maintain over the long run because it involves less physical strain and more predictable routines.

Flatbed, while more profitable, requires consistent physical effort that may not be ideal for every driver over time. Many drivers use it as a way to increase income early, then transition into less demanding freight later in their careers.

The better option depends on how you balance income goals with long-term workload.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Do flatbed drivers always earn more than dry van drivers?
Yes, flatbed drivers earn more due to higher CPM rates and additional pay for load securement. The difference is typically $10,000 to $15,000 per year.

Q: Do I need special training to drive a flatbed?
Yes, drivers must learn load securement using chains, straps, and tarps. Most carriers provide training as part of onboarding.

Q: Is flatbed work harder than dry van?
Yes, flatbed requires physical labor to secure and sometimes cover loads, while dry van requires minimal physical handling.

Q: Which is better for new drivers?
Dry van is typically better for new drivers because it has a lower barrier to entry and simpler daily operations.

Q: Can I switch from dry van to flatbed later?
Yes, many drivers start in dry van and transition later to higher pay. Training programs are widely available.

Flatbed drivers earn more because they take on additional labor and responsibility tied to open freight. Dry van offers steady, lower-effort work but limits earning potential. The right choice depends on whether your priority is higher income or long-term ease of work.

The Truck Drivers USA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering industry topics, job trends, and real-world decisions that impact drivers at every stage of their careers. Each article is written to provide clear, accurate information that drivers can use.

Last Updated: April 21, 2026

The post How Much Do Flatbed Drivers Make vs Dry Van in 2026? appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.