Lease On Your Reefer With a Partner Carrier
Reefer freight pays the highest rates in trucking — $0.85 to $1.05 per mile or more during produce season. Run under a partner carrier's reefer authority, with splits typically 75–85% of every load.
Key Takeaways
- Lease on your reefer under an FMCSA-authorised carrier's MC — no need for your own MC, insurance, or compliance filings.
- O Trucking does not hold carrier authority. We make the introduction; the lease agreement, authority and insurance are the partner carrier's.
- Reefer lease-on pay runs $0.85–$1.05/mile at a typical 2,400–3,000 miles per week.
- Estimated gross earnings are $120,000–$190,000/year, with splits typically 75–85% to the owner-operator — the carrier sets the final terms.
- Most owner-operators start running freight within 7–10 days of applying, depending on the carrier's onboarding.
Reefer Lease-On Pay
Per Mile
$0.85–$1.05
Weekly Miles
2,400–3,000
Weekly Gross
$2,400–$3,800
Annual Gross
$120k–$190k
Estimates based on solo driver running typical weekly utilization. You keep 75–85% of these gross figures.
Reefer Freight Profile
Produce, frozen food, beverages, dairy, meat, pharmaceutical. Year-round demand with peaks in summer (produce) and winter (frozen retail). 15–25% rate premium over dry van.
Equipment Required
53-foot reefer trailer required. Reefer unit must be in working order with current PM. We can recommend approved repair shops.
Typical Lane Types
- OTR produce lanes (CA, FL, TX, GA, WA)
- Regional grocery DC routes
- Cross-country during peak season
What You Get
Requirements
- Own/finance reefer tractor + 53-ft reefer trailer (2018+)
- Reefer PM and continuous-temp recording capability
- Valid CDL Class A, 1+ year reefer experience preferred
- Clean MVR + PSP report
- DOT physical + drug screen
- Be 21+ years old
Apply to Lease On Your Reefer
We'll review your truck and driving history, then call you within 1-2 business days.
Reefer Lease-On FAQs
Specific questions about leasing on with a reefer.
Why does reefer pay more than dry van?
Reefer freight is time-critical and temperature-sensitive — shippers pay a premium because driver skill matters and equipment costs more. Reefer also has fewer qualified carriers, which keeps rates high.
Do you provide reefer breakdown coverage?
Yes. If your reefer unit fails mid-load, we cover the rescue + transload costs as part of the lease-on benefits. Solo MC operators have to eat that cost themselves.
Can I run produce loads year-round?
California citrus runs Nov–May, FL produce Jan–May, GA blueberries May–Aug, WA apples Aug–Nov, plus year-round frozen and grocery. We schedule load mix to keep your reefer running 50+ weeks/year.
What about FSMA compliance?
Our reefer authority is fully FSMA-compliant. We provide pre-trip inspection forms, continuous temp logs, and the certified compliance documentation shippers require.
How much can I realistically gross per year?
Solo reefer leased on with a partner carrier typically grosses $120–190k/year before expenses. After your fuel + truck/trailer payment + maintenance, take-home is usually $70–110k/year.