Dry Van
Discover the ultimate solution for your transportation needs with our Dry Van services. Our reliable and secure transportation ensures your goods reach their destination safely. Explore our efficient and cost-effective solutions today!
Looking for a dependable way to transport your cargo? You’ve found it! Our Dry Van Freight Services are perfect for your shipments. With our experienced team and top-notch equipment, we’re the trusted partner you need for all your freight transportation needs.
What is a Dry Van?
A Dry Van is like a big metal box on wheels that transports goods from one place to another. Imagine it as a giant, empty box that can be loaded with items like boxes, furniture, or even food. The important thing is that it keeps everything inside safe and protected from the weather.
These vans are called “dry” because they don’t have any special temperature control or refrigeration. So, they’re perfect for things that don’t need to be kept cold or warm during transport. They’re commonly used to ship electronics, clothing, or building materials. They’re the most common type of truck you see on the highway.
When you see a big truck driving down the road with no windows and just a big door at the back, chances are it’s a Dry Van. These vans play a massive role in moving products from factories to stores, ensuring we can get what we need daily.
We provide competitive freight shipping prices and an all-inclusive, easy-to-use shipping experience for our customers. Exceeding our customers’ expectations results in thousands of satisfied customer reviews and repeat business. We believe in the power of our customer relationships. Check out FreightCenter reviews from real customers, and learn what they have to say about their freight shipping experience!
Dry Van Shipping Awards and Endorsements
- 2021, 2017 & 2016 Food Logistics' Top Green Providers
- 2021 & 2018 Supply & Demand Chain Executives’ Pros to Know: Matthew Brosious
- 2020 & 2019 Top Food Logistics’ 3PL & Cold Storage Provider Award
- 2020 & 2019 Business Observer’s Top 500 Companies on the Gulf Coast
- 2020 & 2017 SmartWay® Transport Partner
- 2020 & 2017 Food Logistics’ Champions: Rock Stars of the Supply Chain
- 2020 Best of Palm Harbor Awards for Local Businesses
- 2017 Green Supply Chain Award from Supply & Demand Chain Executive
- 2017 Tampa Bay Business Journal Heroes at Work
- 2016, 2015, & 2012 Food Logistics Top 100 Software and Technology Providers
- 2013 Tampa Bay Business 100 by Tampa Bay Business Journal
- 2013 Top 100 Great Supply Chain Partners by SupplyChainBrain
- 2012 TIA Samaritan Award Honorable Mention
- 2012, 2011 & 2010 TBBJ Fast 50 Recipient
- 2013, 2011, & 2010 Diversity Business Top Businesses
Why Use A Dry Van Trailer?
A Dry Van trailer is a smart choice for transporting goods for several vital reasons. Firstly, these trailers provide a secure and protective environment for their cargo. Solid walls and a roof shield items from weather conditions like rain, snow, or extreme heat, ensuring that products arrive at their destination in good condition.
Another critical advantage of Dry Van trailers is their versatility. They can transport various goods, from electronics and furniture to clothing and food items. This flexibility makes them suitable for many industries and businesses, whether shipping products across the country or just down the road.
Dry Van trailers also offer convenience and logistics efficiency. Since they are a common type of trailer used in the transportation industry, they are readily available and easy to find for hire or purchase. This means businesses can quickly access the necessary transportation without delays or shortages.
Moreover, Dry Van trailers are cost-effective compared to specialized trailers with refrigeration or temperature control features. For items that don’t require specific temperature conditions during transit, using a Dry Van can be a more economical option, saving businesses money on transportation expenses.
Additionally, Dry Van trailers provide security for cargo during transit. Sturdy doors that can be locked and sealed help prevent theft and tampering, giving businesses peace of mind knowing that their products are safe and protected while on the road.
Lastly, using Dry Van trailers supports efficient supply chain management. By streamlining the transportation process and ensuring timely delivery of goods, businesses can meet customer demands more effectively, enhance customer satisfaction, and maintain a competitive edge in the market. In summary, Dry Van trailers offer numerous benefits, including security, versatility, convenience, cost-effectiveness, and support for efficient logistics and supply chain operations.
Enclosed Trailer vs Dry Van
Another term for a “dry van” could be a “closed trailer” or simply an “enclosed trailer.” These terms describe the same type of vehicle fully enclosed and designed to protect goods from the elements during transit.
How are Dry Van Rates Determined?
Dry Van rates are determined by several important factors that help shipping companies and carriers decide how much to charge for transporting goods. One major factor is the distance the goods need to travel. The farther the distance, the higher the rate, as transporting items over long distances requires more fuel and time. For example, shipping goods from one state to another may cost more than shipping them within the same city.
The size and weight of the cargo being transported also play a significant role in determining Enclosed Trailer rates. Larger and heavier items take up more space in the trailer and may require special handling or equipment, which can increase the cost of transportation. Additionally, the density of the cargo, or how much space it occupies relative to its weight, can impact rates. Low-density items that take up much space but are lightweight may be charged based on dimensional weight rather than actual weight.
The type of goods being transported is another factor that influences Dry Van rates. Some items may require special handling, temperature control, or security measures, which can affect the overall cost of shipping. For example, transporting perishable goods that require refrigeration may incur additional fees for temperature-controlled trailers. Similarly, hazardous materials or fragile items may require extra precautions and incur higher rates to ensure safe transportation.
Market conditions and industry trends also impact freight rates. Fluctuations in fuel prices, seasonal demand for certain goods, and overall economic conditions can all affect transportation costs. During peak shipping seasons or times of high demand, rates may increase due to limited capacity and higher demand for transportation services. Conversely, rates may decrease during periods of low demand or when fuel prices are lower.
Lastly, carrier availability, route accessibility, and competition among carriers can influence Enclosed Trailer rates. Carriers may adjust their rates based on factors such as their operating costs, equipment availability, and competitive pricing strategies. Overall, Dry Van rates are determined by a combination of factors that reflect the distance, size, weight, type of goods, market conditions, and logistical considerations involved in transporting cargo using these trailers.
Dry Van Dimensions
Trailers can be found in various sizes to accommodate a range of shipment needs. The maximum length allowed for trailers is 53 feet long, with the most popularly selected including the general and pup trailers.
Some of the most common types include the following:
53-Foot Dry Vans:
This type of semi-trailer is the most common van on the road. It can hold up to 45,000 pounds of freight and twenty-six standard pallets. Overall dimensions for this type of trailer are 53′ x 99″ x 110.25″ trailers (LWH). A 53-foot Dry Van trailer is one of the most commonly used sizes in the transportation industry due to its ample capacity and versatility. Typically, these trailers are about 53 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 9 to 9.5 feet tall. This spacious design allows for the efficient loading of cargo, accommodating a wide range of goods, from large pallets of products to oversized items like furniture or machinery.
In terms of capacity, a standard 53-foot enclosed trailer can hold approximately 26 standard pallets, each measuring 48 inches by 40 inches. This means it can transport a substantial volume of goods, making it ideal for businesses moving large quantities of products over long distances. Whether hauling electronics, clothing, groceries, or other consumer goods, the 53-foot Dry Van provides ample space to meet various shipping needs while ensuring that items are securely and safely transported to their destination
28-Foot Dry Vans: Twenty-eight-foot dry vans are called “pup trucks.” LTL products are frequently transported in these trailers. They can hold up to 22,500 pounds of freight and 14 conventional pallets and have a floor space ratio of 28′ x 100″ x 109″ (LWH). A 28-foot enclosed trailer offers a compact yet practical solution for transporting goods, mainly when space constraints or smaller loads are considered. Typically, these trailers are approximately 28 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 8.5 to 9 feet tall. While smaller than their 53-foot counterparts, they still provide ample room for cargo and are well-suited for maneuvering in tight spaces, such as urban areas or narrow streets.
Despite their smaller size, 28-foot trailers still offer significant capacity for hauling goods. They can typically accommodate around 14 standard pallets, making them suitable for transporting moderate to large-sized loads. This makes them a popular choice for businesses that need to move goods efficiently while optimizing space usage, whether delivering supplies to local stores or transporting goods between regional distribution centers. With their versatility and practical dimensions, 28-foot enclosed trailers provide a reliable and efficient solution for various shipping needs.
24-foot Dry Vans/Straight Trucks: These semi-trailers are also known as box trucks and are commonly used for city deliveries. Most often, they include a liftgate. They are available in various sizes, but their dimensions are typically 24′ x 102″ x 102″ (LWH). A 24-foot trailer is a compact and maneuverable option for transporting goods, particularly in urban or tight spaces where larger trailers may face difficulty navigating. Typically, these trailers are around 24 feet in length, 8 feet in width, and have a height of approximately 8 to 9 feet. Despite their smaller dimensions compared to larger trailers, they still offer sufficient space to carry a variety of goods, making them a practical choice for short-distance or local deliveries.
Despite being smaller, 24-foot enclosed trailers can still carry considerable cargo. They can typically accommodate around 12 standard pallets, making them suitable for transporting moderate loads efficiently. Whether it’s delivering goods to retail stores, carrying supplies for local businesses, or transporting equipment for events, the 24-foot trailer provides a convenient and versatile solution for various shipping needs, allowing businesses to move their products while navigating through tight spaces efficiently.
Are A Dry Van & Box Truck The Same?
While a Dry Van and a Box Truck are used for moving stuff from one place to another, they’re not quite the same. A Dry Van is like a big rectangular container that gets hitched onto a tractor-trailer truck. It’s spacious and can carry many goods, protecting them from bad weather. Conversely, a Box Truck resembles a giant cube with the cargo area connected to the driver’s cabin. It’s often used for smaller deliveries or local trips.
One big difference is their size and how much stuff they can hold. Dry-enclosed trailers are usually bigger and can handle larger loads, making them great for extended trips or moving goods. Box Trucks, though, are smaller and easier to maneuver, which is handy for zipping around town or getting into tight spots. Plus, Box Trucks are simpler to load and unload since everything is right in one integrated space.
Another difference is how you access them. With an enclosed trailer, you often need a loading dock or ramp to get stuff in and out because it’s up high on the back of a truck. But with a Box Truck, you can walk right in from the ground, which can be much easier for specific deliveries. So, while a Van and a Box Truck move things around, they each have perks and quirks that make them useful in different situations.
Discover the vast array of products efficiently transported using Dry Van services, from electronics and clothing to furniture and consumer goods. Find out how a enclosed trailers will securely safeguard and deliver your goods across various industries. Explore reliable transportation solutions today!
Shipping appliances via enclosed trailer offers a dependable and efficient solution for transporting large household items with care. Dry vans provide a secure and protective environment, ensuring that appliances such as refrigerators, washers, and dryers arrive at their destination safely. With ample space and sturdy construction, dry van transportation can accommodate a variety of appliances, from standard models to oversized units. Whether for residential or commercial purposes, shipping appliances via closed trailer ensures reliable delivery, supported by experienced drivers and flexible scheduling options to meet diverse transportation needs.
Shipping automotive parts via enclosed trailer offers a dependable and efficient solution for transporting various components, from tires and engines to body panels and accessories. These trailers provide a secure and protective environment, safeguarding automotive parts from damage during transit. With ample space and sturdy construction, enclosed trailer transportation can accommodate various sizes and shapes of automotive components, ensuring they arrive at their destination in optimal condition. Whether it's for replenishing inventory at auto shops or distributing parts to assembly plants, shipping automotive parts via enclosed trailer ensures reliable delivery, supported by experienced drivers and flexible scheduling options to meet the diverse transportation needs of the automotive industry.
Shipping electronics via enclosed trailer offers a reliable and secure solution for transporting valuable electronic devices. With solid walls and a roof, dry van trailers protect from the elements, ensuring that electronics arrive at their destination undamaged. This method of transportation is ideal for a wide range of electronics, from small gadgets to large appliances, and offers flexibility in scheduling and routing to accommodate various shipping needs. With experienced drivers and stringent safety measures in place, shipping electronics via dry van ensures the safe and efficient delivery of valuable devices, providing peace of mind to both businesses and individuals alike.
A Guide to Safe and Efficient Transportation. Find out the best transportation modes, route optimization strategies, and insurance coverage for secure and efficient solar panel shipping.
Shipping building materials via an enclosed trailer provides a practical and reliable solution for efficiently transporting construction supplies. Dry van trailers offer ample space and protection, ensuring that materials like lumber, plywood, and drywall are safeguarded from damage during transit. With their solid walls and sturdy construction, enclosed trailers are well-equipped to handle building materials' heavy and bulky nature, providing secure transportation from the supplier to the construction site. Whether for large-scale construction projects or smaller renovation jobs, shipping building materials via dry van offers a convenient and efficient option, supported by experienced drivers and flexible scheduling to ensure timely delivery of supplies.
Shipping furniture via an enclosed trailer provides a reliable and practical solution for quickly moving large and bulky items. Dry van trailers offer ample space and protection, protecting furniture pieces from potential damage during transportation. Whether it's sofas, beds, or tables, dry van shipping allows for secure and efficient delivery of furniture items to their intended destination. With experienced drivers and flexible scheduling options, shipping furniture via enclosed trailer offers peace of mind to businesses and individuals, making it an ideal choice for moving furniture locally or across long distances.
Shipping paper products via enclosed trailer offers a reliable and secure solution for transporting items such as books, stationery, and packaging materials. Dry van trailers provide a protective environment, shielding paper products from potential damage during transit. With their solid walls and roof, enclosed transportation ensures that paper goods remain safe from moisture, dust, and other environmental factors. Whether it's delivering inventory to bookstores or distributing supplies to printing facilities, shipping paper products via dry van ensures efficient and dependable delivery, supported by experienced drivers and flexible scheduling options to meet the diverse transportation needs of the paper industry.
Shipping office supplies via enclosed trailer offers a convenient and reliable solution for transporting many items, including paper, pens, furniture, and other essential office supplies. Dry van trailers provide a secure and protective environment, ensuring that office supplies arrive at their destination in optimal condition. With their ample space and sturdy construction, dry van transportation can accommodate various sizes and office supplies, protecting them from damage during transit. Whether it's restocking inventory at office supply stores or delivering supplies to corporate offices, shipping office supplies via enclosed trailer ensures efficient and timely delivery, supported by experienced drivers and flexible scheduling options to meet the diverse transportation needs of businesses.
Shipping clothing via enclosed trailer offers a convenient and efficient solution for businesses and individuals looking to transport garments securely. Dry van trailers provide a protective environment, shielding clothing items from potential damage during transit. Whether it's bulk shipments of apparel for retail stores or personal belongings for relocation, dry van transportation ensures that clothing arrives at its destination clean and intact. With flexible scheduling options and reliable carriers, shipping clothing via enclosed trailer is cost-effective and dependable for meeting various transportation needs in the fashion industry and beyond.
Shipping food and beverages via enclosed trailer offers a safe and efficient solution for transporting perishable and non-perishable items across various distances. Dry van trailers provide a protective environment, ensuring that food products such as canned goods, packaged snacks, and beverages remain secure and unaffected by external elements during transit. With their solid walls and temperature control capabilities, dry van transportation helps maintain the freshness and quality of food items throughout the journey. Whether it's delivering goods to grocery stores, restaurants, or distribution centers, shipping food and beverages via enclosed trailer ensures reliable and timely delivery, supported by experienced drivers and adherence to food safety regulations to uphold the integrity of the products being transported.
Shipping industrial equipment via enclosed trailer provides a reliable and efficient solution for transporting heavy machinery, tools, and industrial components. These trailers offer ample space and protection, ensuring that industrial equipment arrives at its destination safely and securely. With their sturdy construction and solid walls, dry van transportation can accommodate various industrial machinery sizes and types, safeguarding them from damage during transit. Whether it's delivering equipment to construction sites or transporting machinery between manufacturing facilities, shipping industrial equipment via dry van ensures dependable delivery, supported by experienced drivers and flexible scheduling options to meet the diverse transportation needs of the industrial sector.
Shipping retail merchandise via enclosed trailer offers a dependable and efficient solution for transporting diverse consumer goods from suppliers to retail stores. These trailers provide a secure and protective environment, ensuring that merchandise arrives at its destination in pristine condition. With ample space and sturdy construction, dry van transportation can accommodate various types of retail merchandise, including clothing, electronics, toys, and home goods, safeguarding them from damage during transit. Whether replenishing inventory at brick-and-mortar stores or fulfilling online orders for e-commerce businesses, shipping retail merchandise via enclosed trailer ensures reliable delivery, supported by experienced drivers and flexible scheduling options to meet the dynamic demands of the retail industry.
Guaranteed competitive pricing every time you ship.
Shipping Is Easy and Affordable With FreightCenter
FreightCenter is where top carriers compete for your shipping business. No matter what kind of shipping service you need or where you are shipping your freight, FreightCenter will find the right carrier for your cargo based on price and service. To get started with your dry van freight shipping, run a free, no-obligation, instant quote and compare rates and transit times from top carriers. Need help? Contact a FreightCenter in-house shipping expert at 800.716.7608.
Dry Van Shipping FAQ
Q. What is a dry van?
A dry van, often referred to as a box truck or straight truck, is an enclosed trailer used to transport various goods securely. These trailers can carry anything from furniture to construction materials, making them ideal for reliable transportation services. Dry vans provide a safe and reliable option for hauling goods.
Q. Why do they call it a dry van?
A dry van is called so because it keeps cargo protected and dry from debris, weather conditions, and spills. These trailers ensure that the cargo inside remains safe and undamaged during transportation. So, the name “dry van” refers to its ability to keep the contents dry and secure.
Q. What's the difference between a dry van and a box truck?
The main difference between a dry van and a box truck is the size. Box trucks are smaller, making them more maneuverable in local suburbs to deliver products directly to specific home addresses. This results in affordable shipping costs compared to using larger trucks.
Q. What does 53 dry van mean?
The main difference between a dry van and a box truck is the size. Box trucks are smaller, making them more maneuverable in local suburbs to deliver products directly to specific home addresses. This results in affordable shipping costs compared to using larger trucks.
Q. How is my cargo kept secure inside a dry van?
Your cargo will be adequately secured to prevent shifting and damage. Some standard methods of securing cargo include utilizing load bars, straps, chains, or airbags to ensure safe delivery.
Q. How do I track the status and location of my dry van shipments?
Your FreightCenter agent will be able to provide you with a tracking number to give you access to this information at your convenience. It is also found on your bill of lading as the driver will assign a pro/tracking number to your shipment. You can track on FreightCenter’s website
3 advantages of using FreightCenter for Dry Van Services
3 advantages of using FreightCenter for Dry Van Services
Expertise and Experience:
When you partner with FreightCenter, a premier 3PL (Third Party Logistics) company with over twenty-four years of experience within the logistics industry, you are choosing success. Over the decades, our team has dealt with nearly every shipment imaginable. There is no shipment process we cannot help you with! FreightCenter employs a knowledgeable staff always willing to learn and grow with industry changes and advancements. We are ready to answer any questions you have throughout the entire process!
Extensive Network and Carrier Selection:
FreightCenter has a vast network of trusted carriers, including those equipped with dry van trailers. We secure the best transit carrier and route for you at the best price. There is no need to spend hours figuring out the logistics or searching for a worthwhile deal. The ability to choose from multiple carriers gives you the flexibility to find competitive rates and reliable services for your dry van transportation requirements.
Streamlined Booking and Support:
We act as the middleman between you and your carrier; you do not have to worry about playing phone tag with your trucker. Your agent will directly communicate with you and your carrier, delivering any necessary information or updates between you. We make it easy to ensure your shipments by guiding you toward the best providers. Whether you need full or partial coverage, we have you covered! We arrange the pickups and drop-offs while also making sure to track each shipment in transit. This ensures that you know where your packages are every step of the way!
