Dry van
The default trailer for palletized freight. Enclosed, dry, and the cheapest way to move anything that does not need temperature or open deck access.
Dry van, side elevation
| Length | 53 ft standard. 48 ft still exists but is uncommon |
|---|---|
| Interior length | Roughly 52 ft 6 in |
| Interior width | Roughly 99 in, about 98 in between the posts |
| Interior height | Roughly 110 in at the centre |
| Door opening | Roughly 93 in wide, 105 in high |
| Max payload | About 45,000 lb, lower if the tractor is heavy |
| Pallet positions | 26 standard 48x40 pallets on the floor |
| Loading | Rear dock height. Side loading is not possible |
Figures are industry standard and vary by manufacturer and by carrier. Confirm exact dimensions against the specific trailer before you plan a load to the inch.
What a dry van will not do
It will not hold a temperature. An insulated van without a running reefer unit is not temperature controlled, and freight that needs a setpoint belongs on a refrigerated trailer. Florida heat makes that difference larger than shippers from cooler states expect.
It also will not take anything that cannot fit through a 93 inch door opening. If your freight loads from the side or overhead, you need an open deck.
Typical commodities
Packaged consumer goods, dry groceries, paper, packaging, retail freight, non perishable food, general palletized freight.
Operating notes
What actually goes wrong with this equipment
Weight before cube
Most dry van loads run out of weight before they run out of space. Dense freight hits 45,000 lb long before it fills 3,489 cubic feet.
Pinwheeling
Turning pallets can fit 28 to 30 in some configurations, but only if the freight is stable and the receiver accepts it.
Floor loading
Loose cartons floor loaded take far longer to unload and are handled more. Palletize where you can.
Other equipment
Know what you need?
Send the lane and the freight profile and we will price it.