Dry Van vs Reefer: Which Trailer Do You Actually Need?

One of the most common questions new shippers ask: do I need a reefer or can I use a dry van? The wrong answer costs you money either way — over-specifying with reefer when dry van works wastes 25-40% more in freight costs, while under-specifying with dry van on temperature-sensitive freight risks product loss and customer chargebacks.

When You Definitely Need a Reefer

Any FDA-regulated human food shipment that requires temperature control. Produce, dairy, meat, seafood, beverages with specific temperature requirements. Pharmaceuticals and medical devices with cold chain requirements. Flowers and live plants. Certain chemicals and adhesives that degrade in heat. If your product has a temperature requirement on the label or specification sheet, use a reefer.

When Dry Van Is Fine (And Saves Money)

Canned goods, shelf-stable packaged foods, paper products, automotive parts, manufactured goods, industrial equipment, clothing, and non-perishable retail merchandise all ship safely in dry van. Dry van costs 25-40% less than reefer on comparable lanes — using it when appropriate is smart cost management.

The Gray Area: Conditioned Loads

Some freight needs temperature control only in extreme weather — certain adhesives, candles, chocolate, and some manufactured goods can't withstand 110°F summer heat in a dry van parked on a dock. For these, shippers often use reefer set to 65-70°F (a 'protect from freeze' or 'conditioned' load) which costs less than full cold-chain pricing but more than standard dry van.

How the Choice Affects Your Freight Rate

On the roughly 720-mile Chicago to Atlanta lane, dry van FTL ran about $2,200-2,600 all-in in late September 2026. The same lane in a reefer ran about $2,600-3,000. On a 1,000-mile lane, choosing reefer when dry van works costs you $500-700 extra per load — that adds up fast on recurring freight.

IZY Logistics Handles Both

IZY Logistics has dedicated reefer and dry van specialists, brokering freight across all 48 states. We help shippers make the right equipment decision before booking — not after. Get a quote for either mode at izylogistics.com/quote or call +1(877)IZY-LOGS.