Everything You Need to Know About Dry Van Trucks

Some of the most interesting questions we receive from customers are related to our dry vans. These questions include:

• “What is a dry van?”
• “Aren’t all vans dry?”
• “Are there wet vans?”
• “Why does the dry van look exactly like a transport truck? Are they the same?”

Thus, we thought it was only fitting to dedicate a blog post to our dry van trucks.

In today’s post, we’ll be sharing all the essential information customers should know about dry vans, their purpose, and their benefits.

But first, we’d like to get two of our favourite questions off the table: yes, technically, all vans are dry (unless you’ve left your windows down in the car wash). And no, wet vans aren’t a thing (not in the transportation industry, anyway).

Now that we’ve covered the more “creative” questions, let’s dive into the critical concerns.

Dry Van Definition

It’s always helpful to have a clear understanding of what a dry van is before learning about its benefits and features.

Simply put, a dry van is an enclosed, non-temperature-controlled truck trailer that is used to transport non-perishable freight. It typically has a door at the rear of the trailer and most units are 53 feet in length.

Dry Van Shipping VS Flatbed VS Refrigerated Shipping

To understand the purpose of a dry van truck, it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with what separates a dry van from other freight carriers.

When comparing the features of dry vans to other units, three main components need to be considered: temperature control, weather protection, and theft protection.

The most standard freight option is a Flatbed truck. These are not equipped with any of the three specialized measures. On the other hand, a Dry Van comes equipped with theft protection as well as weather protection. If you need to take it one step further, Refrigerated Shipping is a transport option especially for temperature sensitive material; thus, a Refrigerated Truck will be equipped with temperature control to keep the contents cold.

Why Use a Dry Van?

There are a number of benefits associated with shipping goods with dry van carriers. Some of the most sought-after advantages include:

Affordable Pricing

Dry vans are the most common type of truck trailer used by shipping companies, which is a great thing for your budget. Since so many companies offer dry van trucking as a service, it’s a highly competitive industry—which means providers are constantly trying to edge out other providers by offering a better price.

Versatility

Just about anything you can imagine can be shipped using a dry van. As long as your goods aren’t sensitive to temperature, and they fit inside the unit, you’re good to go! From furniture to electronics, machinery, non-perishable foods and construction materials—if you need to ship an item, chances are it can be shipped via dry van.

Consolidated Shipping

Many shipping companies offer discounted rates to businesses that are willing to have their freight delivered in the same container as another customer’s freight. This is called consolidated shipping and it’s an excellent option for customers who are looking to reduce costs. If you only have a few items or pallets that require transport, we highly encourage you to consider this option.

Who Uses Dry Van Carriers?

The companies that use dry van containers are just as varied as the goods they ship. Essentially, any business that has a need to transport non-perishable items can do so using a dry van.

Below are a few of the most common industries where dry van shipping is depended on:

These industries either rely on shipped goods to do their work or profit directly off the sale of shipped dry van freight. Either way, the safe, efficient transport of their shipment is essential to their operations and thus a dependable transport company is integral to their success.

And since there are so many dry van carriers available to business owners, they have peace of mind knowing there is always someone who can deliver their freight, no matter whether it’s going across the state, country, or continent.

CSA and Dry Van Trucks

At CSA Transportation, we don’t just have an industry-leading fleet of dry vans for you to choose from.

We also have a dedicated and highly-qualified team of dry van drivers who are always happy to go the extra mile to deliver you superior service.

Our dry van drivers can:

• Make multiple stops to drop off or pick up your shipments
• Ensure your LTL freight is safely loaded and off-loaded
• Work with your customs broker to ensure a quick import/export process
• Provide you with the fastest possible transit times
• Notify you prior to pick-up or delivery
• Reroute your shipment if a last-minute, unexpected issue arises

And more.

If you’re looking for a dry van carrier who will consistently provide personalized, responsive, and accommodating services, CSA Transportation is the provider for you. Contact us today to learn more about dry van freight options for your transport needs.