Dry van shipping is one of the most popular ways to haul freight these days, and it is no wonder why. The versatility of a dry van commercial trailer is unmatched, as it can haul nearly any type of equipment, product, or supplies that is non-perishable and doesn’t require refrigeration. Moreover, this type of trailer lends itself to a more cost-efficient form of transport, as it won’t run as much in fuel as would a reefer, or refrigerated, trailer.
So, what else is there to know about dry van shipping? Check out these seven fast facts:
- Dry vans can handle local and long routes.
They are considered to be very versatile and make up most of the trailer types you see attached to cabs on the road. Because dry vans don’t haul refrigerated items, they aren’t susceptible to as much liability over the course of a long haul as refrigerated trailers are.
- Dry van trailers are also often referred to as box trailers.
They offer no temperature control so they are only able to handle dry goods. Perishable items, including frozen food, produce and even some types of pharmaceuticals will be unsuitable for transport in a dry van trailer.
- Any cargo hauled by a dry van is usually well protected.
Dry vans can be locked and provide stellar protection against exterior elements, including the weather. They also provide protection against damage and theft when properly secured. This is yet another reason why dry vans are so popular.
- Unfortunately, despite dry van popularity, dry van trailers makeup over 40% of the types of trailers involved in fatal crashes over the road.
This statistic, however, leans heavily on the fact that dry vans makeup the majority of most trailers that are seen on the road, in general. Nevertheless, extreme caution should always be used when operating a semi, whether the cab be attached to a dry van or reefer trailer.
- There are some downsides to a dry van.
One of the biggest downsides is the susceptibility of the wooden floor that most dry vans are composed of to be damaged by moisture over time. This can lead to costly repairs. Moisture that affects the wooden flooring of a dry van trailer is usually the result of the cargo being hauled, or can be the result of inclement weather if the door to the trailer is open.
- Dry van trailers can haul 26 pallets or up to 45,000 pounds of dry goods.
This is only slightly more than what reefers can usually handle at a maximum of 44,000 pounds, in most cases.
- Despite the inability of dry vans to be able to transport food and other perishable items in and of themselves, there are options available to have refrigeration systems installed in a dry van trailer.
Doing so will add to the versatility of the dry van, but will also increase liability and cost in most cases.
