Dry van shipping is one of the most popular and widely trusted freight transportation solutions available. It has remained a preferred means of transportation due to the vast availability and numerous benefits of having an enclosed trailer throughout the shipping process. Here’s our guide on everything you need to know about dry van freight.
What is Dry Van Freight?
A dry van refers to a fully enclosed semi-trailer designed to safeguard shipments from the elements, dirt and debris, and any other things that could compromise the products. They are designed to transport bulk, palletized products, and can be loose freight or boxed freight. Dry van shipping is the most common form of freight transport in the United States. Unlike refrigerated trucks and ships, dry van shipping vehicles contain no temperature-control equipment.
Types Of Dry Van Trailers
Dry van trailers are available in various sizes and materials. The maximum length allowed for a dry van trailer is 53 feet long. The two most popular types of dry van trailers are general trailers and pup trailers. General dry van trailers are 53-feet long, whereas the pup dry van trailers are 26-29 feet long.
When Do Shippers Use Dry Vans?
Shippers utilize dry van trailers for both short-distance and regional deliveries, in addition to long-distance over the road shipping. Dry van trailers are versatile and can manage several different freight types, consisting of non-perishable food, developing products, and more. Here are some examples:
Textile, clothing items, electronic devices, plastic, automobiles, motorcycles, minibusses, other vehicles, and parts of larger machines like planes and ships. Home products, furnishings, and electronics.
4 Factors that Affect Dry Van Freight Rates
Location
Dry van freight rates are impacted heavily on the pickup location and delivery location. The path from the pickup to the delivery is called the lane, and different lanes will go for different rates. Even if two lanes are the same distance, they can be different amounts.
The Freight Being Shipped
The freight itself will also affect the dry van rates when shipping with the weight of the freight’s most significant factor. This is simply because the heavier something is, the more gas it is going to use to ship it, and therefore, the more it is going to cost. The density of the freight also affects the rate. You want to compact your packaging as much as possible because a smaller and denser package will take up smaller space and has a lower risk of causing damage.
Current Supply and Demand
Supply and demand affect the price of everything, and the rates for full truckload shipping is no exception. The supply element in the transportation industry is the trucks available, or capacity. The fewer drivers available, the more that they can charge the shipper. These shortages may be temporary and fix themselves over time or could be a larger scale. The best way to counter a change in rates due to capacity is to, once again, establish a contracted rate with your shipping partner.
Unforeseen Events
The fourth factor and final factor that can impact the rate of dry van freight is some unique event, such as a natural disaster. These events can cause the closing of warehouses, factories, or even roads. Unfortunately, you cannot plan around these rare situations. During these times, it may not be possible to get a truck to the pickup or destination.
Talk With Taylor
Taylor can handle all of your dry van commodities needs. You can rely on us for capacity and a reliable network to deliver your commodities on time and damage-free. We provide flexibility and reliable service with the customized freight solutions you need to meet your supply chain’s demands. Talk with Team Taylor today by filling out the form below
