Which trailer type pays best for owner-operators?
As a rough guide, flatbed and step deck loads often pay about $5-7 a mile, reefer about $4-6, and dry van about $3-5, depending on lane, season and whether the run is local or OTR. Higher rates come with more work: tarping and securement on flatbed, temperature and appointment rules on reefer. Dry van has the most freight and the most competition.
Choosing a trailer is one of the biggest decisions an owner-operator makes. It sets your rate range, your workload, your startup cost and the lanes you can run. Here is how the three most common truckload trailers compare.
Rough rate per mile
These are rough estimates that move with lane, season and market. Rates are never guaranteed.
| Trailer | Rough rate per mile | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Flatbed | $5.00 - $7.00 | Open-deck freight: steel, lumber, machinery |
| Step deck | $5.00 - $7.00 | Taller loads that exceed flatbed height limits |
| Reefer | $4.00 - $6.00 | Temperature-controlled food and pharma |
| Dry van | $3.00 - $5.00 | Most general freight; varies by local vs OTR |
See the full rate-per-mile guide and compare with your own cost per mile.
Dry van
Pros: the most freight available, easy loading, no tarping, simpler and cheaper equipment. Cons: the most competition, so rates are often lowest of the three; lots of drop-and-hook and detention at big shippers. Best for: new owner-operators who want steady freight and a simple operation.
Reefer
Pros: often higher rates than dry van, steady demand for food and pharma. Cons: the reefer unit adds cost and fuel burn, temperature and appointment rules are strict, cleaning and pre-cooling take time, and rejected loads can cost you. Best for: carriers who want higher rates and can manage the extra planning.
Flatbed
Pros: strong rates per mile, less competition in some lanes, good freight in construction, energy and manufacturing. Cons: physical work (tarping, straps, chains), securement rules, more injury risk, weather sensitivity. Best for: drivers comfortable with hands-on loading and securement who want higher rates.
Step deck
A step deck is a flatbed variant with a lower main deck for taller freight. It handles cargo a standard flatbed cannot, which can mean fewer competing trucks and higher rates on oversized loads, but it also needs more knowledge of permits and dimensions.
How to decide
- Price your CPM. A high rate only helps if it beats your cost per mile after deadhead.
- Look at your lanes. Some regions are flatbed-heavy (Texas and the Permian Basin have lots of open-deck freight); others are dry-van markets.
- Count fuel. Reefer units add fuel; check trip cost in the fuel cost calculator.
- Think about your body and lifestyle. Flatbed is physical; reefer is schedule-tight; dry van is simpler.
Texas Solutions dispatches all three: 5% of weekly gross for semis (dry van, reefer, flatbed, step deck, power only), OTR, no flat rate. See dry van dispatch, reefer dispatch and flatbed dispatch.
Frequently asked questions
Is flatbed more profitable than dry van?
Flatbed rates per mile are often higher than dry van, but flatbed also involves tarping, securement and heavier physical work, and costs like straps, chains and tarps. Compare rates against your own cost per mile and workload.
Is reefer worth the extra cost?
Reefer loads often pay more per mile than dry van, but the trailer costs more, the reefer unit burns extra fuel (about 0.8 gallons per hour on typical units), and appointments are strict. Whether it pays depends on lanes and how well you plan.
Which trailer has the most freight?
Dry van is the most common trailer and has the largest volume of freight, which also means the most competition for loads.
