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Guide to Dry Van Containers

A Beginner’s Guide to Dry Van Containers

When choosing a method to ship freight, there are different types of trailers that truckers can choose from. Dry vans are quite popular, but before deciding whether it’s the best option, here is what you should know.

What Is A Van Trailer?

Also referred to as box trailers, dry vans are enclosed shipping containers enclosed on all sides. You can use them to transport many common goods that remain protected from different weather conditions like snow and rain.

Dry vans have hardwood flooring, which allows them to carry heavy goods for a long time and distance without damage. However, the container itself is made using aluminum, galvanized steel, and iron for maximum protection.

The standard size of a dry van is the 53-foot, which is 52 feet 6 inches long, 8 feet 6 inches wide, and 9 feet high.

However, you can find other small ones like the 48-foot and 28-foot trailers. While they all have the same height, the 48-foot trailer is 47 feet 3 inches long and 8 feet 3 inches wide, while the 28-foot is 27 feet 3inches long and 8 feet 3 inches wide.

The standard weight that dry vans can carry is between 41,000 and 45,000 pounds when it comes to weight capacity. This, however, only refers to the weight of the cargo, and you have to determine the weight of the empty trailer to ensure you are within and gross vehicle weight.

What Does It Carry?

Dry van trailers can carry many goods, but they are usually non-perishable. The goods don’t require specific temperature levels but require protection from environmental factors. Some of the things you can transport in these trailers include:

  • Clothing.
  • Household items like appliances, furniture, utensils, etc.
  • Non-perishable foods like cereal, potato chips, and canned foods.
  • Packaged construction items like paint, hammers, and nails.
  • Small machinery and equipment parts.

Dry Van Vs. Flatbed

Unlike dry vans, flatbeds have no sidings or a roof. Therefore, they cannot transport the same goods as dry vans. Some things you can transport using a flatbed include bricks, concrete, wood, PVC pipes, metals, and steel beams.

It is also easier to load and offload a flatbed trailer than a dry van because you can do so from any side.

Dry Van Vs. Reefer Trailer

Unlike dry vans, reefer trailers have temperature control, meaning you can only use them to transport things that need to remain refrigerated or within a required temperature range. Sometimes you can use a dry van to transport the goods if you are going a short distance or if the external temperature is almost the same as the desired temperature.

Why Choose a Dry Van

  • Security- Since it is enclosed on all sides, the goods are safe from theft, pest infestations, and weather factors.
  • Convenience- You can have dry vans transported directly to your property for easier access to your goods, especially if there are no storage facilities near you.
  • Ample space- Because of its size, you can pack up bigger goods like oddly shaped materials, motorcycles, and unused equipment.

Some things you need to consider when buying a trailer include:

  • Condition- Depending on your budget, you can buy a used, used, or refurbished trailer.
  • Size and type of your goods- You can choose a 53, 48, or 28-foot trailer depending on what you want to transport.

Hale Trailer has a collection of different dry vans. According to their experts, “Our used dry vans keep your cargo clean and dry, an ideal choice for shipping items that are sensitive to moisture.” If you want a used trailer, you can search “used dry van trailers for sale near me” and access the diverse fleet.

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