Dry vans are a staple in freight shipping. As you travel the highways, it’s common to share the road with these long, rectangular vehicles. Emblazoned with company logos, they are a familiar sight, transporting goods across the entire country. 

Dry vans play a pivotal role in the economy, representing 2.05 million trucks on the road. These trucks are responsible for carrying a wide range of commodities, moving everything from household items to food and furniture, and transporting these goods from production facilities to retail spaces.

These trucks are often the preferred shipping method in the freight transportation industry. Let’s find out why.

Jump to Section:

• What is a Dry Van?
• Types of Dry Vans
• Dry Van Shipping vs Other Shipping Options
• Common Goods Transported in Dry Vans
• Advantages of Dry Van Shipping
• Dry Van Shipping Challenges
• Factors that Affect Dry Van Freight Rates
• Mercer Transportation Can Handle your Dry Van Shipping Needs

What is a Dry Van?

A dry van, often known as a box trailer, is the most common type of enclosed trailer used for shipping goods across the country. As the name suggests, dry van shipping involves the transportation of “dry” goods, meaning they remain “dry” and protected from the outside environment during shipment.

The dry van trailer is essentially an enclosed box, typically constructed from aluminum. Its enclosed structure offers optimum protection from external elements and bad weather, ensuring the transported goods remain in their intended condition. This is especially useful when shipping materials that need to remain dry or protected from damage due to exposure to outdoor elements, such as electronics, furniture, dry goods, and other non-perishable goods. 

Types of Dry Vans

The most common type of dry van is the standard 53-foot trailer. It typically has an inside width of 96 inches and an inside height of about 110 inches. This sizable structure is perfect for shipping larger items and bulk quantities. 

However, the trucking sector knows that one size does not fit all. For smaller loads and LTL shipments, more compact dry vans are available. These smaller trailers offer the same protection and convenience as their larger counterparts, packaged into a size more suited to transport smaller quantities of goods and navigate through cities or towns with narrow streets.

Aside from size variations, dry vans can also come with options for additional reinforcement, insulation, and advanced locking mechanisms, amongst other customizations.

Dry Van Shipping vs Other Shipping Options 

While the dry van is versatile, it’s important to note that it’s not the only type of trailer in use.

Similar to dry van trucks, you’ll find reefer trucks. From the outside, these trucks might look similar, but take a look inside and you will feel the difference. Reefer trailers come equipped with refrigeration units, providing climate control for transporting perishable items, whereas, dry vans are designed explicitly for non-temperature controlled cargos. 

Flatbed trailers are another versatile shipping solution but lack the enclosure offered by dry vans. Open on all sides, flatbed trucks are suited for oversized shipments that don’t fit within an enclosed structure. 

Every shipping requirement is unique, and the best mode of transportation depends on several factors. However, given their secured and considerable cargo space, dry vans continue to be a preferred choice for a variety of shipping needs.

Common Goods Transported in Dry Vans

From daily household items to materials used in various industries, dry van goods are in practically every part of our daily lives. Given their versatility, dry vans are suited to transport a wide array of goods. Here are some of the most commonly transported items in these dry van loads:

• Non-Perishable Food: Items such as canned goods, grains, dry pasta, and related items are ideally suited for dry van transport. With no specific temperature requirements and minimal risk of spoilage, these items safely travel across distances in a dry van.
• Household Goods: Everything from furniture to appliances and electronics can be shipped via dry van. Given the protection from external elements, it’s a preferred choice for items like this.
• Building Materials: Many construction materials, including lumber, concrete, and plumbing equipment, also, often find their way into dry vans. While some raw materials may be intricate or heavy, dry vans provide an accessible means of transport.
• Industrial Equipment: A variety of industries also use dry vans for shipping equipment and materials. Their ability to handle different sizes allows them to carry anything from small mechanical parts to larger equipment.

Advantages of Dry Van Trailers

The popularity of dry vans lies in the advantages they offer. Here is a detailed look at each of these benefits:

1. Protection from Elements: The first, and perhaps most critical, benefit of using dry vans is the protection they provide. With their fully enclosed structure, dry vans safeguard the cargo from external elements, such as changing weather conditions and road debris. No matter the climatic circumstance, dry vans keep the cargo unharmed.
2. Security Against Theft: With cargo theft being a concern in the freight industry, the additional security delivered by dry vans is a significant advantage. The enclosed design of a dry van container makes it challenging for potential thieves to access the goods during transit. Some dry vans even come equipped with advanced locking mechanisms, adding an extra layer of security. 
3. Versatility: The all-rounded nature of dry vans makes them fit for carrying a wide array of goods. They’re an excellent choice for transporting non-perishable food, household items, building materials, loose freight, and more. 
4. Dock Compatibility: Dry vans are built to accommodate most loading docks, adding to their accessibility. The standard design and size of most dry vans make them a suitable fit for loading and unloading at various dock types.

Wrap these benefits with the added advantage that dry vans are widely available and reasonably priced. This makes them a popular and very practical choice for shippers who require quick access to shipping solutions.

Dry Van Shipping Challenges

While dry vans offer many advantages, it’s worth noting that they aren’t without their challenges.

One area where dry vans may fall short is when it comes to oversized shipments. Dry vans typically have a maximum height and weight capacity and are confined by their dimensions. In these cases, other types of trailers with no height limitations, such as flatbed trucks or trailers, may be more suitable.

Besides size restrictions, dry vans may not always be the best option for goods that require temperature control. While they offer protection from external weather conditions, dry vans do not provide a controlled environment within. Perishable goods or items with stringent temperature requirements are better transported in reefer trailers, which offer refrigeration capabilities. 

The enclosed structure of dry vans can also pose challenges during the loading and unloading process. This design often restricts access to the cargo, making it difficult to maneuver large or awkwardly shaped items in and out of the trailer. Additionally, the limited openings of dry vans require more precision and time to efficiently organize and retrieve goods, which can complicate logistics and extend loading times.

Factors that Affect Dry Van Freight Rates

If you’re looking to utilize dry vans for your shipping needs, it’s important to understand the factors that impact the costs. This helps in budgeting, planning, and ultimately deciding the most cost-effective way to ship your goods. Here are some of the key elements that determine dry van freight rates:

1. Location: The distance between the pickup and drop-off points is a primary determinant of freight rates. Longer routes usually imply higher fuel consumption and increased driver hours, leading to higher costs.
2. Type of Freight: The nature of the goods being shipped can considerably impact cost. Heavy or delicate items that require special handling or equipment during loading and unloading typically attract higher rates.
3. Demand and Supply of Drivers: As with any market, the freight industry is also influenced by the dynamics of supply and demand. Periods of high demand, like the holiday season, usually witness a surge in freight rates. On the other hand, the availability of drivers can also change costs. Shortages of drivers may lead to increased rates owing to the premium on their availability.

Mercer Transportation Can Handle your Dry Van Shipping Needs

Dry van shipping is a major component of the logistics and trucking industry, capable of handling almost any type of cargo you might need to transport. Whether you are shipping clothing, non-perishable food, or electronics, dry vans offer a versatile, secure, and efficient solution to meet your transportation needs.

For businesses looking for reliable shipping options, Capital Trailers LLC is the ideal partner for your logistics requirements. With a fleet of over 850 dry vans ready to serve your shipping needs, we can provide the protection and capacity you’re looking for. We have a proven track record of safety and reliability in shipping smaller goods to ones with large volumes.