What You Need to Know about Dry Van Shipping

dry van shipping
March 12, 2019

Where methods of freight transportation are concerned, one of the most widely trusted and popular is dry van shipping. But why? For one thing, throughout the shipping process it offers numerous benefits including having a closed trailer encompassing whatever is being shipped. For another, its high-availability makes it easy to find.

Let’s take a more up close and personal look at dry van shipping

Dry Van Shipping – What Is It?

Frequently used to ship large quantities of products, goods, or loads (i.e., automobiles), and found attached to semis all over the world, dry van trailers are the most common trailer scene today. But what gives them their name?

Simple. Everything inside this trailer will be kept protected and dry. Accidents (for the most part), road debris, weather conditions, and other external elements will not affect whatever is secured inside these trailers.

Uses for Dry Van Trailers

No matter if the shipment is traveling a long or short distance, the extreme versatility of dry van trailers makes them a popular choice. Numerous kinds of freight, including building materials, nonperishable foods, and more, can be shipped using this method. Here are some examples of the most popular uses where dry van shipping is concerned:

  • Transportation of construction industry equipment and small machinery. Also used for construction site transportation of raw materials, both to and from the site.
  • During the moving process, used to relocate electronics, furniture, household goods, and more.
  • Used for the transportation of automobiles, minibuses, motorbikes, and cars. Also popular for transporting ship, airplane, and other large machine components.
  • Extremely useful to move building products such as plastic and electronics. Also perfect for the transportation of clothing and textile items, as well as nonperishable beverages and foods.

Dry Van Trailer Types

Dry van shipping involves trailers that are available in numerous materials and sizes. For a dry van trailer, the maximum allowable length is 53 feet. Pup trailers and general trailers are the two most common dry van trailer types. The previously referred to 53 feet in length measurement applies to general van trailers, whereas pup trailers can be as long as 29 feet or down to 26 feet long.

Dry van trailers are also available in several materials. Trailers of this classification are usually constructed from iron, hardwood, aluminum, or galvanized steel.

Nothing Comes Without Its Challenges

That applies to dry van shipping as well. Though the list is short, dry van trailers, and the transportation executed with them, do offer their very own unique challenges. Here are a couple:

  • Sometimes moisture comes in through open doors or from the freight itself. Condensation and moisture can build up inside dry van trailers because their hardwood floors are extremely vulnerable to moisture. When this happens, it can lead to the trailer taking on damage and extra replacement or repair
  • In dry van trailers, there are no climate alterations, insulation, or temperature controls. What that means is that dry van trailers cannot be used to ship or transport products or goods needing refrigeration.

What all of the above boils down to is that in today’s shipping industry, one of the most affordable means of transport continues to be dry van shipping. Whether shipments are long-haul or short-haul, dry vans can accommodate many loads.

At Mickey Genuine Parts, we frequently carry a selection of used trailers. If you would like to speak to one of our knowledgeable representatives concerning a trailer or some other transportation topic, feel free to contact us today.

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