What Is a Dry Van?

Van trailers are fully enclosed boxes fit carried by trucks designed to transport a wide range of freight safely and securely by road. Dry Vans or van trailers aren’t temperature-controlled (unlike refrigerated “reefer” units) and can’t transport big goods. They’re designed to transport palletized, boxed, or loose freight.

What Are Dry Van Trailers? 

Van trailers, often known as ” dry vans” or “box trailers,” are used for a range of less-than-truckload (LTL) and truckload shipments. If you’ve ever carried or received freight, you’ve most certainly used a van truck.

Three Different Types of Dry Van Trailers

If you are wondering how many pallets fit in a van or what are the sizes of van trailers, we should say that van trailers come in a variety of sizes. 

• 53-foot Dry Vans

The most frequent types of vans on the road are 53′ x 8′ 6″ x 8′ 6″ trailers (lwh). Across their floor space, they can hold up to 45,000 pounds of freight; you might be asking how many pallets fit in a 53 dry van? 26 standard pallets can fit in a 53ft dry van.

• 28-foot Dry Vans

If you are trying to find more about dry freight, you should know that LTL goods are frequently transported in “pup” trailers. These dry van trailers have a floor size of 28′ x 8′ x 9′ (lwh) and can hold up to 22,500 pounds of freight and 14 conventional pallets.

• 24-foot Dry Vans or Straight Trucks

Straight trucks, also known as box trucks, are used mostly for city deliveries and frequently include a liftgate. Straight trucks are available in a range of sizes, with the most typical dimensions being 24′ x 8′ x 8′ 6″. (lwh).

What Benefits Does Van Shipping Offer?

• Versatility

Dry Vans are the most often utilized vehicles because they are ideal for delivering consumer packaged products. Dry van trailers are typically used to transport clothing, furniture, and electronics, but they may also be used to transport machinery and parts, nonperishable groceries, and even home products.

• Affordability

Vans are one of the most cost-effective freight solutions since they are widely accessible from a range of carriers and don’t require any additional services or special operations.

• Safety & Protection

One of the most significant benefits of hiring a van truck to accomplish your dry van freight process is the weather protection it offers. Because the van trailer is sealed on all sides, shipments are protected from weather risks such as high winds, rain, and direct heat. The trailers’ enclosure and ability to be secured adds another layer of security against cargo theft.

How Much Does Shipping with a Van Trailer Cost? 

You might be planning to ship your goods and products with vans and you may ask yourself “how much do dry van trailers cost?” or “where to rent a van trailer?”, keep reading to find more.

The van is a cheap alternative for shippers because of its versatility, which makes it the most widely utilized trailer type. The cost of using a van, like all other types of equipment, is determined by current transportation market prices for your shipping path.

However, utilizing a van to move freight is frequently the most cost-effective option. This is due, at least in part, to the fact that the cost of purchasing a van is relatively low when compared to the cost of purchasing a reefer or more specialized trailer.

What Is the Best Dry Van Trailer?

There are several trailer manufacturers on the market, each of them offers its own trailers in a unique manner. 

In order to simplify your search and assist you in making the best option when it comes to selecting the best van trailers, If you are looking for a dry van trailer for sale or used van trailers for sale, here we’ve included the best 3 van trailers from top manufacturers that you can purchase.

1. Dura Plate HD Van Trailers

The Dura Plate HD, made by Wabash National Corporation in the United States, is one of the best van trailers available today.

The fact that there are over 500.000 Dura Plate trailers on the road indicates the trailers’ quality and performance.

Wabash National Corporation, being one of the top trailer manufacturers in the United States, strives for continuous progress and innovation.

2. 4000 D Van Trailer 

Another exceptionally durable, innovative, and high-quality van trailer is the 4000D van trailer. Utility Trailers is the company that makes this van trailer.

When you’re looking to buy a van trailer or a truck, I feel one of the most crucial factors to consider is the company that manufactures it.

As a result, Utility has been putting trailers on the market for 102 years. When a firm has been on the market for a long time, it is obvious that it is providing high-quality products. Similarly, positive comments about the firm might help you make a better decision.

The 4000D van trailer demonstrates innovation, effort, and lightweight. Plywood, a common building material, was used to manufacture this trailer.

3. Great Dane Champion Van SE Trailer

Great Dane is one of the most well-known manufacturers of van trailers. What sets this organization apart from other trailer manufacturers is its commitment to ongoing improvement, customer service, and attention.

They desire to give their customers the greatest service possible, as well as durable and high-quality trailers. For more than a century, this firm has been a major trailer manufacturer.

As a result, the Champion Van SE is a high-quality trailer that provides maximum durability and safety. It’s composed of stainless steel, which resists corrosion. This trailer includes patented SSL panel lining, which is a nice feature.

What to Look for When Buying a Dry Van Trailer?

Are you thinking about buying a van trailer? Or wanna be a van driver? Are you searching for the answer to the question “how much do van truckers make?”, here we provided you with some information to get a good estimation of answers to these questions.

Whether you’re just starting out in the shipping and dry freight business or seeking to grow your fleet, purchasing a trailer is a significant investment. Before signing those ownership documents, examine these four trailer components.

1. Van’s Side Panels

Some trailers will claim to be “composite,” but they are essentially typical “sheet and post” trailers with aluminum outside sheets, galvanized steel posts, and an internal “light” steel liner. A design that employs galvanized steel sheets connected to high-density polyethylene (HDPE) core is significantly more resistant to damage.

2. The Scuff liner’s Design

Many scuff liners are joined to the lower wall with aluminum rivets spaced at 12′′ intervals, which is a less expensive method of trailer construction. When a forklift or pallet strikes the rivet during loading and unloading, the force loosens or shears the aluminum rivet, causing the scuff liner to separate from the sidewall, further harming the scuff liner and perhaps the freight.

Instead, seek a scuff liner with stainless steel rivets spaced 8′′ apart on the recessed top flange of the scuff liner.

3. The Base Rail Design

Steel bolts or aluminum rivets are typically used to construct base rails. While aluminum rivets are less expensive to produce, they result in base rail rivets that are prone to sideswipes and corrosion. Steel cadmium plated torque head bolts, on the other hand, eliminate fastener corrosion and give almost 2.5 times the shear strength of aluminum rivets to protect your trailer bottom rail against sideswipe damage.

4. Tire Quality 

Some trailers come equipped with Tier 2 or Tier 3 tires, which are less expensive at first but have lower-quality casings and can only be retreaded once or twice before needing to be replaced. Look for a trailer with better tires, such as Tier 1 Bridgestones. These tires have the best casings and can be retreaded two or three times, making them the most cost-effective tires you can buy.

Finally, we suggest you to read the following article on dry vans and points you need to know about them.

Conclusion

Finally, don’t hesitate to contact us if you want more assistance or have questions about other types of shipping and freight. We’d be delighted to assist you in any way we can.