Dry van freight: the enclosed general-cargo trailer

A closed body and what that buys

Rigid walls, a fixed roof and lockable rear doors keep out rain, road spray, dust and casual attention. Cargo is out of sight, which matters for goods that would otherwise attract interest, and the body can be sealed so that interference leaves evidence. Because the structure supports itself, loads can be built up towards the internal height without additional framing.

Rear-door access and what it demands of the site

Everything enters through the back, so loading happens at a dock set to trailer-bed height, or with equipment able to reach inside. A forklift has to travel down the deck, which imposes discipline on pallet placement and aisle width. Sites without a raised dock need a tail lift or ramp, and that requirement changes which vehicles can be sent in the first place.

Restraint against smooth internal walls

An enclosed body does not secure cargo on its own. Smooth interior walls offer nothing to lash against unless the trailer is fitted with lashing points or load track. Loads are therefore blocked and braced using bars, straps, inflatable dunnage or timber so that nothing shifts under heavy braking or on a cambered bend. Weight has to be distributed along the deck to respect axle loading rather than simply spread evenly by eye.

When a box is the wrong shape entirely

Cargo that cannot be introduced from behind, such as long steel sections, plant lifted from above or bundles forked from the side, needs an open or curtained body. Goods requiring a controlled temperature need an insulated refrigerated unit. Items taller or wider than the door aperture simply will not pass through it, and concentrated point loads may exceed what the floor can take in one place.

Frequently asked questions

Is a dry van insulated?

No. It is an uninsulated box, so internal temperature follows ambient conditions and can swing considerably during a long run. Goods with a temperature specification need a refrigerated or insulated unit instead.

How is cargo held in place inside a smooth-sided trailer?

By blocking and bracing rather than by the walls. Load bars, ratchet straps to fitted lashing points, inflatable dunnage between units and timber packing prevent movement fore and aft, which is where braking forces act.