Unless you need reefers (refrigerated) or flatbeds for full truckload (FTL) shipping, you need a dry van.
Dry vans are trailers attached to semi-trucks mainly for shipping large quantities of just about anything non-perishable on both local and over-the-road (OTR) lanes. All dry vans are fully enclosed, sealed and locked to protect your shipments from weather and theft.
Common Trailer Sizes
53′ Dry Van Trailers
These are the most common trailers on the road. They can accommodate up to 45,000 lbs. of freight spread across 26 single-stacked pallets in a space typically measuring 8’ 6” x 8’ 6” with a height of 13’6” (12’6” for city driving) – swing doors are the most common vs. roll doors.
48’ Dry Van Trailers
These can also accommodate up to 43,000 lbs. of freight spread across 24 single-stacked pallets in a space typically measuring 8’ 6” x 8’ 6” with a height of 13’6” (12’6” for city driving).
Pup Trailer Sizes
28’ Dry Van Trailers
These pup trailers are mostly used for moving LTL shipments and can accommodate up to 24,500 pounds of freight spread across 14 single-stacked pallets in a space typically measuring 8’ x 9’ with a height of 13’6” (12’6” for city driving).
26’ Dry Van Trailers
These pup trailers are mostly used for moving LTL shipments and can accommodate up to 10,000 pounds of freight spread across 10 single-stacked pallets in a space typically measuring 8’ x 8’6” with a height of 13’6” (12’6” for city driving).
Trailer Options
- Spring Ride: uses multiple layers of flexible steel strips joined together in what is called a “leaf pack” to provide cushioning for the trailer
- Air Ride: uses a system of air lines, valves and air-spring bags to raise the trailer chassis from the axle
- Swing Doors: barn-like doors that are designed to maximize cargo area (the most common type of doors)
- Roll Doors: just as they sound, these doors roll up into the truck; the rear frame required to house a roll-up door assembly slightly reduces the opening clearance but these doors can be opened faster than swing doors
- Liftgates: allow the entire rear wall of the trailer can open up to a horizontal surface, which then can be used as an elevator to go from ground level to the trailer floor level or a 2nd deck
- Dunnage: material used to secure your loads and avoid damage, including wood, solid plastic, airbags, durable padding, bulk heads, straps, load bars, etc.