Most of us have seen semis out on the roads, making long-haul trips across the country. However, you might not have been able to distinguish whether or not said semi-trailer was a dry van.
Dry vans are a special type of semi that have fully enclosed walls and a roof. They’re used mainly for moving non-perishable goods, as they’re designed to store dry items. They offer a protected environment for freight to ensure it reaches its destination without damage from the elements.
If you’re still not following, this guide is for you. We’ll break down what dry vans are, a bit about their history, and what their specifications are like. Plus, we’ll dive into some of the advantages and disadvantages of them to help you decide if using one is the right choice for you.
What Exactly Are Dry Vans?
To get started understanding dry vans, let’s take a second to explain what they are.
A dry van, as we know, is a semi-trailer with a box-shaped body for freight shipping. It’s designed to transport pallets or boxes of cargo, machinery, equipment, and other non-perishable goods.
These trailers are typically attached to a tractor and are primarily used for over-the-road transport or dock-to-dock transportation within a city or region. Dry vans are handy when it comes to keeping freight safe from weather elements and are often preferred for the shipping of electronics and other less durable goods.
Now, one thing to keep in mind is that dry vans aren’t the same as containers, which are large standardized shipping vessels made of steel or aluminum. Unlike dry vans, they’re specially designed for intermodal shipping — facilitating transport from ship to rail to truck without requiring the cargo inside to be unloaded.
How Are Dry Vans Used?
Dry vans are the most common type of trailer in freight transportation. What’s more, due to their ubiquity and general-purpose nature, dry vans are the frequent choice for ‘hot shot’ trucking — quick, direct delivery to reduce transit time.
Besides transporting goods, dry vans are often the canvas for vehicular advertising. As they travel far and wide, their large, flat sides are the perfect space for businesses to showcase their brands, thereby making these trailers work two-fold as both transport vessels and mobile advertisements.
Another use for dry vans is in smart logistics, thanks to technology integrations such as advanced telematics and real-time tracking. As we move towards an increasingly interconnected world, the role of dry vans continues to grow, adapt, and demonstrate its indispensable and versatile nature in the transport industry.
What Do Dry Vans Look Like?
Dry vans are typically made from a rectangular box structure mounted on a chassis with wheels. They’re usually painted white or another light color to reflect sunlight and reduce heat absorption, helping to keep the interior cool.
They come with rear doors that swing open horizontally from the center outwards to make it easy to load and unload goods. Some models also feature rolling doors that lift open, although this is less common.
Inside, you’ll find a hollow space for goods transportation. The floor of the cargo area is usually flat and sometimes lined with a material like aluminum or hardwood to prevent damage to the goods. Another handy feature of the cargo area is the presence of tie-down rings or tracks installed along the sides of the dry van, which are used to secure goods during transportation. Some also feature padded walls or reinforced floors.
A common spec that is added to dry vans is the Tall Bottom Rail. The aluminum TBR (tall bottom rail) is a puncture-resistant barrier between the outer wall and the cargo. The TBR is 10″ taller and 50% thicker than the standard rail providing additional durability and strength and protecting the walls during loading and unloading.
Standard Specifications of Dry Vans
The standard size of a dry van trailer is 53 feet in length. However, you’ll find some variations, with some dry vans measuring around 48 feet and others as short as 28 feet. These shorter models are often referred to as “pup trailers” and are used primarily in urban areas or for less-than-load (LTL) shipments where access or maneuverability might be restricted.
Width-wise, the common standard for dry vans is about 8.5 feet with a general interior height of around 9 feet. That means that they can accommodate around 26 standard pallets arranged in a single stack.
Load Capacity of Dry Vans
The load or cargo capacity refers to the amount of weight that can be safely loaded onto a trailer. Typically, larger dry vans can safely carry about 45,000 pounds of cargo.
Different Types of Dry Van Trailers
Now that you know what a standard dry van looks like and what it’s specifications are, it’s important to understand that there are still different types of them. Each kind is designed to fulfill specific needs and transport requirements.
Here’s a closer look at a couple of different types of dry vans and how they work.
Standard Dry Vans
Standard dry vans are the most common type, measuring approximately 53 feet. They’re considered the workhorse of many logistics operations due to their versatility.
You can spot these hauling a variety of goods across the country, from non-perishable foods to consumer electronics. Their enclosed structure provides ample protection against weather and theft.
Pup Dry Vans
Pup dry vans are essentially miniature versions of standard dry vans, typically half the length, at around 28 feet. These are perfect for more compact deliveries and navigating urban areas with tight streets.
They’re often used in ‘less-than-truckloads’ (LTL) operations, where multiple smaller shipments are combined into one.
Reefer Vans
While not technically a ‘dry van,’ the reefer van is worth mentioning because it shares a similar structure but with the ability to control temperature. These are the go-to solutions for transporting perishable goods such as food or medical supplies in a climate-controlled environment.
What Are the Advantages of Using Dry Van Trailers?
Dry van trailers have proven to be an indispensable asset in the logistics and transport industry over the years. From their versatility in transporting a myriad of goods to their adaptability to different road conditions, dry vans boast an array of benefits that contribute significantly to efficient operations for businesses.
Here’s a closer look at a few different reasons why you might want to use dry vans for your transportation needs.
Versatility for Diverse Cargo
Dry van trailers can transport just about anything that fits within their dimensions, provided the goods don’t require any special temperature control. They’re ideal for transporting everything from household items, mattresses, and canned goods to packaged foods because they provide optimal protection against road debris and weather.
Enhanced Security
Dry vans are enclosed trailers that can be locked, providing a high level of security. This makes them a great pick for businesses that are transporting expensive cargo, such as electronics.
Efficient Loading and Unloading
Dry vans allow for freight to be quickly loaded and unloaded from the rear and, in some cases, from the side, too. This design reduces the overall time spent on logistics, thereby increasing productivity.
Cost-Effectiveness
In comparison to other types of trailers like flatbeds or refrigerated trailers, dry vans are readily available and typically cost less to rent or purchase due to their simple design. This cost-effectiveness makes them great for those needing a practical yet economical solution for their transportation needs.
Speaking of cost-effectiveness, don’t feel that you need to use new dry vans, either. Investing in used dry vans can be a more economical option that still gets you the portability you need for cargo.
Potential Challenges of Using Dry Van Trailers
Like any other vehicle or method of transportation, dry van trailers also have their unique set of challenges. Here are a few of the potential downsides to using dry vans.
Lack of Temperature Control
One of the most common challenges with dry vans is the lack of temperature control. If you’re planning to transport perishable items or substances sensitive to heat, dry vans may not be your best choice as they do not have built-in cooling systems. Nonetheless, alternate solutions could be using refrigerated trailers, also known as “reefers,” for such products.
Loading and Unloading Constraints
Another potential hurdle stems from the enclosed nature of dry vans. While this feature is typically an advantage, protecting goods from the elements, it could prove to be a challenge for loading and unloading certain types of cargo.
Oversized or unusually shaped items, for instance, may not be suitable for dry van shipment. In such situations, flatbed trailers can be a more suitable alternative, as they allow for more flexible loading and unloading options.
Size Limitations
Size limitations can also present challenges for dry vans. They might not be able to accommodate exceptionally large or heavy cargo due to weight restrictions and space limitations. This is where drop deck or lowboy trailers come to the rescue, designed specifically to transport heavy and oversized freight.
What to Know About Loading a Dry Van Properly
If you decide that the benefits outweigh the disadvantages and decide to use a dry van, there are a few things you need to know about loading the dry van properly.
Firstly, you’ll need to make sure you evenly distribute the weight of your cargo. Placing all heavy cargo in one area can make the trailer uneven, risking a potential rollover. Aim for even distribution of weight across the entire floor space.
Secondly, it’s important to secure your load. Whether by straps, ropes, or any other means, make sure your load won’t move during transport. For instance, if you’re hauling pallets of goods, use straps to secure them against the walls or the floor of the trailer.
Finally, make sure to be aware of your trailer’s maximum load capacity and never exceed it. This not only prevents potential damage to the trailer but also complies with transportation regulations. Loading more than your trailer’s specified weight can incur significant stress on the trailer structure, potentially causing damage.
Make Use of Dry Vans for Transporting Goods
Dry vans are handy transportation systems for businesses regardless of whether you’re moving furniture, electronics, or other non-perishable goods. Their covered design protects your wares from the elements and ensures they arrive in one piece.
If you’re ready to take advantage of dry vans, we can help. Check out our inventory of dry vans and choose from both new and used options. Or, get in touch with us, and we’ll offer suggestions for other types of trailers that may better suit your needs.
