Medium Duty: Dry Van
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A dry van—the combination of a dry van truck and/or a dry van trailer—is the most common type of semi-truck. Dry vans can be classified as medium-duty trucks, which means that they have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of between 14,001 and 26,000 pounds.
What Can You Transport With a Dry Van?
So, what is a dry van used for? The enclosed body of this type of truck is great for protecting cargo from outside elements and transporting items that are loose, on pallets, or in boxes. However, keep in mind that a dry van truck isn’t refrigerated, and is best used to transport dry goods—hence the name “dry van!” For cargo that must be kept cold, choose a refrigerated truck.
Dry Van Truck vs. Box Truck
You might choose either a box truck or a dry van trailer if you have loose or palletized cargo to transport, but the difference between the two comes down to size. Box trucks fall under the light-duty truck category, which means they have a GVWR of 14,000 pounds or less. The other key difference is that a box truck’s cargo box is attached to the truck. A dry van is a semi-truck—in other words, a dry van truck attached to a dry van trailer.
Which is right for you? Box trucks are useful when you are making local deliveries and need a vehicle that isn’t much more difficult to park and maneuver than a pickup truck. You may need a dry van if you are shipping cargo long distances and at high volumes.
Learn More About Dry Van Trucks & Trailers
At International Used Truck Center, we’re where to help you find the dry van trailer and truck that are perfect for your application. If a dry van isn’t the right fit, we’re happy to tell you more about the wide range of uses for medium-duty trucks so that you can move forward today—whether you plan on adding to your moving truck fleet or starting your career as an independent owner-operator. We operate dealerships across the country, so get in touch with our team to find the location nearest to you!