Dry Van Shipping 8 Facts

Logistics van trailer.

Posted by PLS Logistics on June 16, 2015 at 9:30 AM. 1) Dry Van is the most common type of freight transportation in the US. Dry van trailers, or enclosed box trailers, could be described simply as a box on wheels with doors in the back. It has no temperature control and is designed to carry pallets or boxes of cargo and any type of equipment. 2) Dry vans are versatile in terms of freight shipments, both for local and over-the-road routes. Dry vans are usedfor moving non-perishable foods and beverages, textile and clothing items, plastic and building products. 3) Because cargo is protected from bad weather, possible damage and theft, dry van trailers are used frequently.

Thus, freight claims are usually low. 4) The maximum length allowed for a dry van truck is 53 feet. A dry van trailer can haul up to 45,000 pounds of cargo or 26 standard pallets. 5) According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report, dry van trailers acquire the highest rating (42.3%) of fatal crash involvement every year (partly because of its prevalence on the roads). 6) With the growing capacity crunch, shippers are dealing with 5-7% dry van rate increase this year. Rates reached $1.90 in March 2015 and were still at $1.85 at the end of May 2015. 7) The type of floor is a sensitive issue for dry van trailers.

Usually, hardwood floors are used in dry vans, but it is vulnerable to moisture that can come from freight or through open doors. 8) Both full truckload and LTL freight shippers can benefit from using dry van trailers. Full truckload allows to schedule customized pick-up and delivery, so freight will be delivered safely and on time. LTL shipping with dry vans can bring significant cost savings through shipment consolidation. What to Read Next: PLS Logistics offers dry van trucking services, including full truckload and LTL shipments. To learn more about dry van freight shipments, visit our website or request a free dry van freight assessment now.