Dry Van Season: What to Know

As the seasons change, so does the freight industry. Things like weather, demand, and the holidays all have an impact on the commodity and volume of freight available, along with the type of trailer and equipment needed to move the loads. Fall (October – December) in the freight industry brings an increase in dry van loads. Dry vans are fully enclosed, non-temperature-controlled trailers. They are used primarily to move non-perishable goods. Dry vans are the most common type of truck trailer used in the freight industry, and you can spot them on highways all across the world.

Dry vans are typically 48 or 53 feet long and they can carry up to 45,000 pounds of freight. Most dry vans are equipped with loading docks, so loading and unloading freight is easy. Dry vans are a popular way to move freight because of their versatility and efficiency. They are relatively affordable to operate, which makes them a popular choice for businesses of all sizes. Dry vans are also able to transport a variety of goods and products long distances. Some of these goods include:

• Food and beverages
• Clothing and textiles
• Electronics and appliances
• Furniture
• Building materials
• Machinery and equipment
• Automotive parts
• Medical supplies
• Consumer goods

Fall Dry Van Load Increase

Dry vans move the most loads from October to December. The increase in demand for dry van trailers is due to several different factors, including the following:

• Back-to-school season: As students return to the classroom, the demand for the transportation of school supplies and other education-related items increases. Dry vans are the ideal way to transport these kinds of goods due to being enclosed.
• Harvest season: Many crops are ready to be harvested in the fall, like apples, pumpkins, cranberries, sweet potatoes, and more. Because dry van trailers are full enclosed, they are an excellent way to transport a variety of agricultural products.
• Peak retail season: Major holidays, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, are right around the corner. This time of year leads to a major surge in demand for retail goods, like clothing, electronics and toys. Dry vans are well-equipped to move these types of products because they can protect them from the elements in their enclosed trailers, and they also have the capacity to carry up to 45,000 pounds of freight

Partner with a 3PL for Dry Van Shipping

Are you a shipper looking for a way to move and even improve your dry van shipping operations? Consider using a 3PL. 3PLs can help you save money, improve your efficiency, and provide better customer service.

There are many benefits to using a 3PL to move dry van loads. Here are a few of the most important benefits:

• Access to a large network of carriers: 3PL’s have access to a large network of carriers, which gives them the ability to negotiate better rates and find capacity even during peak season. Some asset-based companies, like Beemac Logistics, even have access to their own fleet of trucks.
• Expertise in dry van shipping: 3PLs have the expertise and experience to handle all aspects of dry van shipping, from loading and unloading to routing and tracking. Full-service logistics companies can take on all the aspects of shipping, leaving shippers free to focus on their core business activities.
• Scalability: 3PLs can scale their services to meet the needs of shippers of all sizes, big or small. Shippers will get the support they need as their needs fluctuate seasonally or over time.
• Cost savings: One of the main appeals of using a 3PL to move your freight is their ability to negotiate the best rates possible.
• Improved visibility: 3PLs normally offer advanced tracking and reporting tools, ensuring that all shipments get where they need to be safely and on time.

Partner with Beemac Logistics 

Choosing a reliable dry van carrier is key to ensuring your non-perishable goods arrive at their destination safely and on time. Using a 3PL to move your dry van loads can save you time, money, and resources. 3PLs provide shippers with access to a large network of carriers, expertise and experience in dry van shipping, and improved load visibility.

Partnering with Beemac Logistics gives you access to our carrier network of over 50,000 regional and national carriers, along with our own fleet of over 500 trucks. Beemac Logistics also provides you with access to our proprietary technology.

Our Beemac TMS streamlines your logistics processes by managing costs, measuring performance, finding the optimal delivery mode for each load, and more. Contact us today and allow Beemac Logistics to be your next 3PL provider.