The most common U.S. trailer types are dry van (general freight), reefer (temperature-controlled), flatbed (steel, lumber, building materials), step deck and lowboy/RGN (oversize), Conestoga (tarped freight on rails), power only (hauling someone else's trailer), and box truck / hotshot for lighter loads.
- Definition
- Truck Types — Truck equipment refers to the trailer and tractor combinations used to haul U.S. freight — each tied to a specific commodity mix, rate band, and seasonal pattern.
- Dry van pay band
- $1.80–$2.30/mi
- Reefer pay band
- $2.10–$2.80/mi
- Flatbed pay band
- $2.50–$3.10/mi
- Step deck pay band
- $3.00–$3.80/mi
- Lowboy / RGN pay band
- $4.00+/mi (permit freight)
- Hotshot pay band
- $1.60–$2.20/mi standard, $2.50+ expedited
- Power only pay band
- $1.60–$2.10/mi (no trailer cost)
What's the difference between dry van, reefer, and flatbed?
Dry van (53' enclosed box) hauls general merchandise, packaged goods, and retail freight. Most plentiful, easiest to keep loaded, lowest RPM. Reefer (53' refrigerated) hauls temperature-controlled food, pharma, and some retail — higher rate, seasonal, and burns ~$400/wk in reefer-unit fuel on top of tractor fuel.
Flatbed (48' open deck) hauls steel, lumber, machinery, and building materials. Requires load-securement skill, $1,500–$3,000 in tarps, and longer setup per pickup. The 25–40% rate premium over dry van reflects the added equipment cost and skill.
When does step deck, lowboy, or RGN pay more?
Step deck (a drop-deck flatbed) handles freight taller than 8'6" without exceeding 13'6" total height — heavy machinery, wind components, transformers. Pays $3.00–$3.80/mi.
Lowboy and RGN (removable gooseneck) handle 12'+ tall or 100,000+ lb loads — construction equipment, cranes, transformers. Pays $4.00+/mi but requires per-state oversize permits, route surveys, escort vehicles on some hauls, and real experience. Not a starter equipment type.
What is power only and when does it make sense?
Power only is a tractor pulling someone else's trailer (broker-provided, shipper-owned, or drop-yard). No trailer to buy or maintain, but rate is $1.60–$2.10/mi — lower than dry van because you didn't provide the box.
Common with Amazon Relay, Uber Freight, and Convoy drop-and-hook lanes. Good fit for owner-operators with a paid-off tractor who don't want trailer overhead. Trade-off: you're at the mercy of trailer availability at pickup and drop.
Are hotshot and box truck actually worth running?
Hotshot: a 1-ton pickup (Ram 3500, F-350) with a 30–40' gooseneck. GVWR under 26,001 lbs so no CDL is federally required, but most brokers require one anyway. Pays $1.60–$2.20/mi standard, $2.50+/mi expedited. Fits smaller freight, oilfield support, and expedited runs.
Box truck (24' or 26' straight): under 26,001 lbs, non-CDL if kept below. Rates $1.50–$2.10/mi on standard freight; the volume market is final-mile and expedited. Both have real markets but lower ceilings than a class-8 tractor.
How do you pick equipment for a new operation?
Ask three questions: (1) What freight is heaviest in your home region? Central Valley = reefer; Gulf Coast oilfield = hotshot/heavy haul; Southeast = flatbed; Chicago/Columbus = dry van. (2) What can you keep loaded year-round without long deadheads? (3) What's the total cost of the equipment including trailer, permits, and specialty insurance?
Chasing the highest-RPM equipment (RGN, oversize step deck) without a freight base or experience burns out new operators fast. A profitable dry van beats a starved flatbed every quarter.
Which equipment types are seasonal traps?
Reefer: strong May–August produce peak, soft January–February. Don't take on a reefer truck payment sized for peak-season revenue.
Flatbed: peaks March–October with construction and steel; softens December–February. Oilfield hotshot follows oil prices with a 6-month lag. Auto hauler dips hard during OEM model changeovers (usually July and January).
Frequently asked questions
What's the highest-paying trailer type?
RGN/lowboy and oversize step deck, but they require permits, route surveys, and experience.
Do I need a CDL for a hotshot or box truck?
Not federally if you stay under 26,001 lbs GVWR — but many brokers require a CDL A anyway. Class B is required for single-vehicle trucks over 26,001 lbs.
What equipment is easiest for a brand-new owner-operator?
Dry van. Most plentiful freight, simplest securement (pre-loaded pallets), lowest specialty knowledge required. Grow into higher-paying equipment after year one.
Is power only a scam?
No — it's a legitimate segment dominated by Amazon Relay, Uber Freight, and drop-and-hook contract lanes. Rate is lower because you didn't provide the trailer. Fine for paid-off tractors that don't want trailer overhead.
Can I run reefer year-round or is it too seasonal?
You can — reefer freight includes pharma, frozen retail, and packaged food that runs 52 weeks. The seasonal spike is fresh produce; the base freight is always there.