Can a Reefer Trailer Be Used as a Dry Van?

The answer to the question of whether a reefer trailer can be used as a dry van is yes. Dry cargo carriers often overlook the fact that they can make good use of refrigerated trailers to ship their products. To understand which of these similar trailers is right for your business, you need to consider the features, advantages, and disadvantages of each type of trailer, as well as the type of cargo you'll be transporting. Refrigerated trailers are designed to transport temperature-controlled goods in specific quantities and are not suitable for any other type of transport.

This great need to transport perishable items makes transporting refrigerated loads a potentially lucrative business decision. Refrigerated trailers not only offer excellent protection against theft and inclement weather, but they are also in high demand, meaning that finding refrigerated loads will be easy with a quality load board. On the other hand, if you need to move products such as clothing, furniture, appliances, or any pallet-based product that doesn't require temperature control, the dry van trailer is the right choice for you. Dry vans are typically 53 feet long and have a maximum weight range of 42,000 to 45,000 pounds, making them versatile for carriers in the food and beverage, retail and non-durable manufacturing industries.

They are also an affordable option for carriers since they don't require careful monitoring and maintenance of cooling equipment or regular cleaning like refrigerated trailers do. When it comes to shipping products on pallets, boxed or loose, dry van trailers are the ideal solution. However, any merchandise that must be accessed from the side of the trailer and not from the rear should not be transported in a dry van. For example, while products such as rolls of toilet paper can be loaded on the floor in a dry van, doing the same in a refrigerator can damage the load due to the metal ridges on the floor of the trailer pressing against the rolls. To ensure that you can safely transport loads with either type of trailer, you'll need to consider all aspects carefully.

Refrigerated trailers are great for transporting temperature-sensitive cargo while dry vans are better suited for non-perishable items. With careful consideration and research into both types of trailers, you can make an informed decision about which one is right for your business.