If you’re in the transportation industry, chances are you’ve come across the term “dry van” before. But what is a dry van, and why do shippers often choose it for their freight needs? In this article, we’ll look closer at dry van shipping services offered by Logistics Group International (LGI) and uncover the benefits that make dry van transportation an attractive option for shippers. From our cutting-edge technology to our unmatched expertise in the field, we’ll explore why you might want to consider partnering with LGI for your dry van transportation needs.
Why Use Dry Van Transportation?
Dry van transportation is a commonly used and highly reliable method for freight shipment. A dry van trailer is an enclosed trailer attached to a semi-truck designed for shipping large quantities of loads, goods, products, or automobiles. The term “dry” refers to the fact that the goods do not require temperature or climate control during transport making a dry van a versatile trucking option across many industries.
Dry vans are just one of the many shipping options available to businesses for transportation. Here’s how they compare to other modes of transport:
- Refrigerated cargo shipping: Unlike a dry van truck, refrigerated cargo shipping trailers have temperature-controlled environments that keep the goods cool.
- Flatbed shipping: Many shippers use this method to transport oversized cargo that exceeds a dry van load, such as heavy machinery and construction materials.
- Hazmat shipping: The transportation of hazardous materials requires special permits, safety equipment, and trained personnel. While dry vans often transport hazardous material, there are specific classes, requirements, and regulations for transporting this type of material.
- Oversized cargo shipping: Shippers turn to oversized cargo shipping when cargo is overweight or over-dimensional. Like hazmat transport, this type of cargo shipping requires special permits and often specialized equipment.
Dry vans come in varying sizes, with the maximum length allowed being 53 feet long. They are typically 8.6 feet wide and 13.6 feet tall, with a gross weight of 80,000 pounds. Dry van transportation is an excellent option for various industries and use cases. Here are just a few common examples:
- Machine tool goods
- Food products
- Electronics
- Plastics
- Textiles
Dry van hauling is also a popular option for smaller loads, with smaller-sized trailers and box trucks available where the trailer portion and the truck do not disconnect. While there are some limitations to dry van transportation, it remains one of the most reliable and cost-effective options for shipping short and long-haul distances.
For Today’s Shippers, Dry Van Trucking Provides Key Benefits
Dry van trucking involves using fully-enclosed trailers to transport goods securely and cost-effectively. The trailers are ideal for shipping goods that don’t require temperature control, such as electronics, appliances, and furniture. Dry van transportation offers several benefits, including increased security for shipping goods, as the cargo is not exposed to external elements or unwanted access. This results in a safer and more secure delivery process.
Furthermore, dry van trucking is an efficient and less expensive mode of transportation as it doesn’t require additional equipment or infrastructure at the loading and unloading points. You’ll often find securing a dry van load easier and cheaper as more drivers and dry vans are available compared to more specialized trucking. This results in a lower overall cost for the shipper and the recipient.
Security
Did you know that dry van freight loads can offer an added layer of security with minimal room for cargo theft? With the increasing sophistication of criminal methods and technologies, thefts are becoming more frequent, and high-value items are a more common target. But with sealed dry van loads, the freight is safer from theft or tampering during transit ensuring the cargo arrives at its destination secure and intact.
Versatility
Dry vans are enclosed trailers known for their versatility in the cargo transportation industry. What makes them stand out is their flexibility to handle a wide range of freight sizes, making them perfect for both full truckload (FTL) and less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments. Dry vans are great for hauling boxed, palletized, and loose freight, making them a preferred choice for shipping all types of cargo, such as automotive products, electronics, and more. With dry vans, you can optimize your freight efficiency and budget without compromising on the safety and security of your goods.
Flexibility
As mentioned earlier, dry vans are a highly adaptable shipping solution for different shipment sizes. However, they offer even more flexibility when loading and unloading at the pickup or drop-off location. With all significant access points available, such as ramps or loading docks, these trailers are easy to load without waiting for specific access points like other shipping methods. This flexibility makes them perfect for those with a strict timetable and tight deadlines, as it optimizes time spent at each stop. Additionally, dry vans come equipped with various locking system options to secure cargo in transit, ensuring its safe arrival at its destination.
Cost Efficiency
Dry van shipping, one of the most straightforward modes of transportation for goods, offers an economical solution – an advantage over other modes like airfreight, which have greater overhead costs associated with fuel expenses and the need for additional staff to handle more complex shipments. This can result in more savings for businesses looking for an efficient solution to transport their goods without breaking the bank.
Accessibility
Finally, let’s talk about accessibility! Whether a 53-foot-long trailer or a smaller-sized box truck, dry van trailers are designed to be easily accessible. The infrastructure of loading docks at most facilities accommodates dry van trailers, making them easy to load and unload quickly. This translates into valuable time saved for businesses and faster turnaround times. You can quickly load and unload your shipments, allowing you to get back on track with your business faster than ever before! The convenience and availability of dry van trailers can save valuable time and effort that can be used towards expanding your business.
Dry Van Shipping Through a 3PL Pairs Innovation With Experience
Partnering with a 3PL for dry van shipping gives businesses access to industry knowledge and expertise. By working with a 3PL like LGI, shippers can stay on top of the latest transportation industry trends, best practices, and technology solutions that can increase efficiency, reduce costs and deliver goods safely and on time.
With innovative pricing tools and digital freight aggregation, dry freight shippers can easily find the right price at the right time and take the guesswork out of carrier selection. Streamlined tracking capabilities also ensure unparalleled security, giving you peace of mind that your shipments travel safely from A to B while saving time, money, and effort.
Innovative Pricing Tools Help Shippers Find the Right Price at the Right Time
Gone are the days when businesses depended on conversations and emails for freight pricing. With advancing technologies, digitalization tools have proven to be game-changers. Now companies can easily access competitive real-time trucking spot market rates in real time at the touch of a button. Predictive freight pricing software and real-time truckload spot market ratings are two efficient cost-cutting solutions that help businesses minimize transportation expenses whenever possible!
Digital Freight Aggregation Takes the Guesswork out of Carrier Selection
When you choose to work with a 3PL provider like LGI, you gain the advantage of freight aggregation, allowing you to access a broad network of carriers and technology. This streamlines your selection process and enables you to choose the optimal carrier that aligns with your needs. Freight aggregation also helps reduce empty miles, leading to a lower carbon footprint while providing competitive pricing options. With these benefits, choosing a carrier has never been easier or more efficient than traditional load boards.
Streamlined Tracking for Unparalleled Security
On-demand tracking capabilities have revolutionized the logistics industry – enabling shippers to stay informed on their shipments at all times, in real-time. This advanced tracking helps to minimize the need for time-consuming check calls, saving valuable time and resources. You can know your shipment’s location and status anytime with real-time monitoring. This visibility gives you peace of mind, allowing you to focus on other things while your cargo travels safely from point A to point B.
Choose LGI for Dry Van Shipping Services
LGI offers cutting-edge technology and unmatched expertise in dry van logistics, making it a top option for shippers in various industries. Utilizing innovative pricing tools and digital freight aggregation from LGI, businesses can easily find the right price at the right time and take the guesswork out of carrier selection. With streamlined tracking capabilities ensuring unparalleled security, shippers can have peace of mind that their shipments will travel safely from point A to point B while saving time, money, and effort.
So, if you need a reliable and cost-effective way to ship goods, consider dry van shipping through LGI. Contact LGI today to learn more about their services and get started on your next shipment.
