What is Dry Van Shipping?
Dry van shipping refers to the transportation of goods in a fully enclosed trailer, typically measuring 48 to 53 feet in length. It’s the most common type of freight transport for non-perishable, boxed, or palletized cargo across road and rail networks.
Dry vans are called “dry” because they protect cargo from weather, theft, and damage, but they are not climate-controlled—making them ideal for general freight that doesn’t require refrigeration or special handling.
What Can Be Shipped Using This Method?
- Consumer goods (furniture, clothing, electronics)
- Non-perishable food and beverages
- Paper products and packaging materials
- Manufacturing components and machinery
- Retail and e-commerce freight
Benefits of Dry Van Shipping
- Versatile and widely available across North America
- Cost-effective for full truckload (FTL) or less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments
- Safe and secure with sealed and lockable doors
- Protects from rain, dust, and road debris
Example in Practice
A company in Chicago ships pallets of office supplies to a warehouse in Dallas using a 53’ dry van trailer. The cargo is loaded at dock level, sealed, and delivered without requiring temperature control or special equipment.