
53 Ft Dry Vans
A 53ft dry van, also known as a box trailer, is the biggest standard freight vehicle you'll see on North American roads. They're also very common on interstate highways, being hauled long distances by tractor units in a configuration most of us call a semi-trailer. If you need to know if this is the right type of trailer for your priority, high-value load, check out this article.
What are 53 Ft Dry Vans?
Dry vans' enclosed structure protects the cargo from external elements, ensuring safe transportation of goods ranging from palletized freight to boxed consumer products. With their sturdy yet lightweight construction, dry vans are ideal for maximizing payload while maintaining durability for repeated use in demanding supply chain operations.
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53 Ft Dry Van Advantages
53-foot dry vans offer significant advantages for expedited freight transportation due to their large capacity, versatility, and protection for goods. With ample interior space, they can accommodate large volumes of cargo, maximizing efficiency and reducing the need for multiple trips. Their enclosed structure shields freight from weather, dirt, and other external elements, ensuring safe delivery of sensitive or valuable items. This makes 53-foot dry vans suitable for a wide range of goods, from consumer products to industrial supplies. Additionally, 53-foot dry vans are compatible with most loading docks and logistics networks, streamlining operations and minimizing delays, which is critical for expedited shipping. Their widespread availability and adaptability to various industries make them a reliable choice for time-sensitive freight needs.
Capabilities
A dry van is a sturdy, enclosed trailer, typically white, designed to be towed by a heavy-duty truck or semi-tractor. It connects to the tractor unit via a fifth-wheel coupling—a slanted flange plate that securely locks onto the kingpin located beneath the front of the trailer. This setup allows for easy maneuvering and enables the tractor to detach from the trailer, facilitating efficient loading and unloading operations. The dry van’s design makes it an essential tool for transporting goods securely, protecting cargo from external elements like weather and debris. Its versatility allows it to accommodate a wide range of freight, from packaged consumer goods to industrial materials.
Capacity
Transport
Dry vans excel in medium and long-distance transportation due to their capacity, efficiency, and speed, making them the go-to choice for intercity or interstate freight movement. Dry vans operate mostly between hubs or nodes where ample space exists for maneuvering, and factories, warehouses and distribution centers. Their size makes them a poor fit for city streets, and they are almost never deployed in "last mile" delivery roles. Where they are unmatched though, is in medium and long distance transportation. In these roles they are the fastest way of moving freight between two points.
Loading
Dry vans primarily transport palletized freight, as pallets make loading and unloading more efficient, typically using forklifts. Due to their length, alternative loading methods are often impractical. Despite their lightweight construction—designed to maximize payload capacity—dry vans are built with durable hardwood floors capable of withstanding the heavy weight and pressure of forklifts during loading operations. This combination of lightweight materials and robust flooring ensures they can handle demanding freight tasks while optimizing the load capacity for maximum efficiency.
Safety
The solid, enclosed structure of dry vans also provides excellent protection for the freight, keeping it safe from weather, dust, and other external factors during transit. This makes them ideal for transporting a wide range of goods, including retail merchandise, packaged foods, and industrial materials. Additionally, their standardized design allows them to integrate seamlessly into most supply chain operations, fitting well with loading docks and various logistics systems. This versatility, coupled with their ability to handle high-capacity loads efficiently, makes dry vans one of the most commonly used trailers in the freight industry.
Tracking Technology
Why Work with FullTruckload.com?
A Single Point of Contact
From booking to delivery, you’ll have a dedicated expediter guiding you through every step of the logistics process. Experience seamless, personalized support from start to finish.
Real-Time Tracking, 24/7/365
With real-time updates and complete visibility, you can stay ahead of any potential delays and make informed decisions to keep your operations running smoothly.
Multiple Options
We proactively analyze ground and air traffic, anticipate weather challenges, and account for potential flight delays to keep your shipment on track. Our goal is to overcome any obstacles and ensure your deadline is always met.
FullTruckload.com’s Streamlined Process
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shipment-to-vehicle matching system
Vetted & exclusive carriers
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Types of Vehicles
53' DRY VAN
Our fleet of 53-Ft dry vans can carry loads up to 42,000 pounds. Measuring 53’ x 99” x 102”, these carefully-vetted vehicles will ensure your time-sensitive freight arrives at its destination safely.

SPRINTER VAN
FullTruckload.com's expedited Sprinter vans have the capacity to meet your local, regional, or long-distance ground shipping needs. Measuring 8-12’ x 52” x 70", our carefully-selected vans have the capacity to carry loads up to 3,000 lbs.

BOX TRUCK
We pride ourselves in working with trusted partners that offer carefully-vetted box trucks, from temperature-controlled vehicles to varying sizes that accommodate smaller loads. Our box trucks, or small straight trucks, measure 12-16’ x 94” x 70” and have the capacity to carry up to 5,000 pounds.

STRAIGHT TRUCK
Measuring 22-26’ x 96” x 96”, our straight trucks can carry loads up to 9,000 pounds. Our large straight truck services offer focused logistics, professional drivers, and deeply-experienced expeditors to get your delivery where it needs to go.

HOT SHOT TRUCK
We'll happily arrange for your freight to be transported via hot shot trucking services. We've proudly partnered with hot shot trucking providers across North America to give you access to carefully-vetted ground delivery vehicles for your time-critical freight.

FULL FLATBED
FullTruckload.com's full flat bed vehicles can accommodate wide or mega-size loads, such as specialized equipment machinery of all weights and sizes. Measuring 48-53’ x 102” x 102”, our fleet of full flat bed vehicles can carry freight of up to 48,000 pounds.

53 Ft Dry Van Key Specifications
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Maximum payload: Up to 45,000 pounds.
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Suspension: Most modern dry vans use air suspension to cushion freight against impacts.
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Maximum interior dimensions: Width: 102", height: 108", length: 53'. Sufficient for two rows of 12 standard pallets and up to 30 pallets if their design allows turning.
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Floor rating (the maximum weight the front wheels of a fork truck can apply): Typically 22,000 pounds, some dry vans have higher ratings.
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Floor is at loading dock level. Swing rear doors must be opened before closing the distance to the dock.

53 Foot Dry Van Types of Cargo
- The types of cargo moved by dry van include:
- Cartons and boxes
- Packaged items: Consumer products, electronics, glassware and more.
- Components: For example, castings, forgings, circuit boards, wiring harnesses, plastic moldings.
- Packaging materials: Examples include glass and paper.
- Raw materials: Not bulk materials but those stored and moved in cages, bins and similar containers.
- Machine parts: Pumps, motors, generators, conveyors and others.
- Liquids, in drums or tanks

Range and Routes

53 Ft Dry Van Cargo Capacity
The reason for the variation stems from whether the fork truck can access the pallet from all four sides.
Pallets made for this can be turned for the higher capacity. If what's on those pallets can take the weight, double stacking doubles the number carried.
Ready Solutions for Shipping Issues, Large and Small
FullTruckload.com has a wealth of resources and expertise ready to go, so we solve your shipping problems as soon as we learn about them. No matter the issue, we know what to do.
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WHAT IS FULL TRUCKLOAD?
Full Truckload (FTL) refers to a freight shipping method where an entire truck’s cargo space is utilized for a single shipment. It is particularly suitable for large, heavy, or time-sensitive shipments and is often more cost-effective for high-volume freight.
Dedicated Single Point of Contact
At the heart of FullTruckload.com is a dedicated team of professionals working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure every shipment arrives on time, and in optimal condition, at its final destination. We offer the fastest ground and air transportation options for B2B customers across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Get peace of mind with a dedicated single point of contact. We're with you along every mile of your journey.

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