Dry vans, those rectangular trailers with double doors at the rear, are a common sight on highways and roads.
They are among the most commonly used vehicles in the trucking industry, which means they are widely accessible and generally cost-effective.
If you’ve never had your cargo transported using a dry van, it might be a bit unsettling to place your trust in the carrier to make the right choice for your specific needs. This article aims to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of dry vans and help you determine whether they are the most suitable shipping option for your requirements.
What Is Dry Van Shipping?
Dry vans are specialized trailers used to transport non-perishable dry goods from their starting point to their final destination.
Typically, these vans feature wooden interiors and lack temperature or humidity control systems, which makes them ideal for shipping non-perishable items that don’t require special climate conditions.
Most of the cargo transported in dry vans is usually packed in cartons, crates, or placed on pallets. Dry van shipping encompasses a range of items, such as:
Clothing and footwear
Retail and household products
Furniture
Canned and non-perishable food items
Gardening supplies
Equipment and machinery
Electronics
Dry van shipping has extensive use among various sectors, including large retailers, trucking companies, and manufacturers. They rely on dry vans for transporting goods efficiently between warehouses and retail stores, making them a fundamental part of the logistics and supply chain network.
Is Dry Van Shipping the Right Choice for Your Cargo?
Although dry vans are a prevalent trailer type, they may not be the ideal choice for all shipments. To ascertain whether dry van shipping is the most suitable option for transporting your goods, consider these three criteria.
Does it Require Temperature Control?
Dry vans lack temperature control features. Depending on the route and season, the interior of the trailer can experience significant temperature fluctuations, including extreme heat or cold. If your cargo is not sensitive to these potential temperature swings or humidity variations, dry van shipping could be a suitable choice.
For goods that demand consistent temperature control, refrigerated trucks, commonly known as reefers, are available. If your cargo necessitates specific temperature conditions, you might need to compare dry vans and refrigerated trucks.
Will it Fit Inside the Trailer?
The interior dimensions of a dry van measure 8 feet and 6 inches in width, 8 feet and 6 inches in height, and are either 48 or 53 feet in length. To be transported via a dry van, your freight must fit within these dimensions. When determining how much inventory can be accommodated in a dry van, keep in mind that these versatile vehicles allow for various loading configurations, potentially enabling you to fit more cargo than initially anticipated.
Is it Loadable without Heavy Machinery?
Dry vans have enclosed sides and a roof, which means all cargo must be loaded through the rear doors, typically via manual labor, forklifts, or pallet jacks. Loading docks are designed to align with the rear of dry vans, streamlining the loading and unloading process.
If your goods require top or side loading using a crane or heavy equipment, you should consider opting for a flatbed or conestoga trailer, which better accommodates such loading methods.
What Are The Pros of Dry Van Shipping?
Dry van shipping has gained widespread popularity in the transportation industry for several compelling reasons. Versatility, reliability, and standardized design of dry van trailers make them a preferred choice for many. Let’s delve into three significant advantages of dry van shipping:
Abundant Supply Equals Cost Savings
Numerous carriers boast extensive fleets of dry vans, while retailers and manufacturers often maintain their branded dry van fleets. Consequently, a substantial number of dry vans are constantly in operation. Many of these trailers are actively seeking cargo to transport to their next destination. This abundance ensures that there is typically an available dry van trailer for your full-truckload shipment, often at a cost-effective rate.
Protection from Environmental Elements
Dry vans are entirely enclosed with sturdy metal and wood walls and ceilings. This enclosure shields your freight from adverse weather conditions such as rain, snow, hail, sand, debris, and insects that could potentially damage or soil your cargo. Additionally, it eliminates the need for tarping, reducing associated costs.
The interior of a dry van remains concealed from public view, offering protection against prying eyes and potential theft. Once your freight is loaded, the driver seals the trailer shut, ensuring it remains secure until it reaches your consignee, providing an extra layer of protection against theft.
Designed to Comply with Nationwide Legal Limits
Dry vans are carefully dimensioned to fit within the legal limits for full-truckload shipments across the nation. This means they do not require additional permits, pilot cars, or extensive pre-planning for transportation. This streamlines your shipping process, saving both time and expenses that would otherwise be incurred in obtaining additional permits.
Of course, there is no one-size-fits-all solution in shipping. That’s why many carriers maintain a variety of trailer types to cater to your specific shipping needs, ensuring flexibility and adaptability in cargo transportation.
What Are The Cons of Dry Van Shipping
While the majority of dry van journeys go smoothly as planned, occasional issues can arise. Here are three common disadvantages associated with dry van shipping:
Limited Cargo Capacity
Dry vans come with a fixed cargo capacity. Unlike some other transport options like flatbed trailers, dry vans cannot be modified to accommodate oversized cargo. If your goods exceed the dimensions of the van, you’ll need to explore alternative transportation methods.
Additionally, like all trailers, dry vans have a weight limit. A fully loaded dry van typically can carry up to around 45,000 lbs.
Lack of Temperature Control
Dry vans lack the capability to regulate interior temperature and environmental conditions. If precise temperature and humidity control is required for your cargo, you should consider opting for a different type of vehicle, such as a refrigerated truck.
Potential for Cargo Movement
During transit, there is the possibility of some shifting and movement of cargo inside the dry van. To minimize this impact, most dry vans are equipped with e-tracks and logistics posts that drivers use to secure the freight. Properly packing and insulating your goods also play a crucial role in protecting your cargo from jostling.d
It’s important to note that no mode of transportation can guarantee that your cargo will remain entirely unaffected by movement. If you’re uncertain whether dry vans are the most suitable choice for shipping your goods to their destination, your carrier can assist you in evaluating which type of vehicle would be the best fit for your specific requirements.