This month, CCJ launches a three-part guide to trailer specifications with a look at select dry vans from leading suppliers.
State-of-the-art engineering has made today’s dry vans stronger than those of the past. Structural integrity has been improved due to more accurate methods in determining where stress loads are the highest, thanks primarily to better design tools that can analyze the properties of the various materials used in the construction process. By replacing heavier components with equally strong, lighter-weight materials and adding extra strength in areas that need beefing up, designers have been able to build significantly better trailers to carry specific loads without fatiguing certain design elements.
In addition, trailer weight has been reduced by utilizing lighter, higher-strength materials in practically every area of the trailer, including the use of composite floors, which also increase load capacity. Another trend is composite panels used as side, front and rear door materials, which allow maximum interior width and length, and a smooth snag-free interior. Thinwall designs continue to gain popularity because they provide added interior width and cube capacity, which means more freight per trailer and better margins for fleets. Many fleets also spec anti-snag roof bows because they help prevent damage to cargo as it’s being loaded.
Durability and maintenance also have become major issues for fleets; that’s why most trailer companies either have moved away from, or engineered alternatives to, traditional plywood liners.
In May, we’ll highlight refrigerated models, and in July, we’ll take a closer look at flatbeds.
GREAT DANE
Classic Dry van
Length: 53 ft.
Width: 102.36 in.
Height: 13.6 ft.
Coupler height: 47 in.
Kingpin location: 36 in.
Inside height: 110 in.
Front wall: Six 2.5-in.-deep steel hat section front uprights
Corners: 6-in. aluminum front corners
Air, electrical: Offset to roadside
Sides: 1.13-in. steel hat section uprights on 12-in. and 24-in. centers; logistic
post optional; 0.05-in. prepainted white flat or corrugated aluminum side sheets
Roof: 0.40-in. aluminum sheet with bows on 24-in. centers
Rear doors: 0.50-in. composite swing; prepainted white cover sheets with Galvalume inner lining; stainless steel cover sheets (optional)
Floor: 1.38-in. laminated hardwood
Scuff band: 12-in. high-roll formed steel, full length
Interior options: Overlaid or recessed track; various scuff bands; aluminum cargo floors; interior and ceiling linings
Crossmember: Front – steel hat type for tire protection between support gear
and coupler; bay and side areas – 4-in. deep steel I-beams on 12-in. centers
Suspension: Hendrickson HKANT 40 sliding air ride with 49-in. axle spacing; spindle axle; 16.5-in. x 7-in. drums with S-cam brakes; ArvinMeritor automatic slack adjusters; WABCO 2S/1M ABS; Binkley Lite slide spring suspension with 49-in. axle spacing; Sealco valves
HYUNDAI TRANSLEAD
HT HY-CUBE
Length: 53 ft.
Width: 102.36 in.
Height: 13 ft. 6 in.
Distributed load capacity: 65,000 GVWR
ABS: Two sensor, one modulator valve (2S/1M) system, PLC4Trucks compatible system
Sidewall: 0.5-in. thick pre-painted white aluminum
Roof: One piece, 0.40-in. thick, full-width aluminum sheet, tension leveled prior to installation
Rear frame: Hot-dipped 0.375-in. thick galvanized steel construction with low profile header, tube-shaped posts; forged steel angle iron in top corners for added rack resistance; lights recessed in rear sill with heavy-duty protection bars
Crossmember: 4-in.-deep hot-rolled steel I-beam; 80,000 psi yield strength, located on 12-in. centers; hat-shaped crossmember ahead of landing gear; rear 4 ft. of trailer has crossmembers located on 8-in. centers
Suspension: Hutchens H9700 with H9811 Slider subframe with four locking pins
Brakes: Non-asbestos lining 16.5-in. x 7-in. quick change type; S cam-operated automatic slack adjuster
Lining: 0.235-in. thick HDPE lining installed full height between uprights with no fasteners; side lining hooks into place for easy replacement; exterior grade 0.5-in. plywood installed full height over front wall
HT COMPOSITE
Length: 53 ft.
Width: 102.36 in.
Height: 13 ft. 6 in.
Distributed load capacity: 68,000 GVWR
Floor: Laminated oak 1.375-in nominal thickness with three screws per floorboard
ABS: Two sensor, one modulator valve (2S/1M) system, no diagnostics tool
Sidewall: 0.25-in. composite panel with pre-painted white, high-tensile galvanized steel
Roof: One piece, 0.40-in. thick, full-width aluminum sheet, tension leveled prior to installation
Rear frame: Hot-dipped galvanized high-tensile steel construction; 0.1875-in. thick with low profile header; tube-shaped posts; forged steel angle irons in top corners for added rack resistance; lights recessed in rear sill with heavy-duty protection bars
Crossmember: 4-in.-deep hot-rolled steel I-beam; 80,000 psi yield strength, located on 12-in. centers
Suspension: Hendrickson air ride
Brakes: Non-asbestos lining 16.5-in. x 7-in. quick change type; S cam-operated automatic slack adjuster
Lining: Exterior grade 0.5-in. plywood installed full height over front wall; none on sidewalls
UTILITY
4000 D-X DRY FREIGHT VAN
Length: 53 ft.
Width: 102.375 in.
Height: 13 ft. 6 in.
Fifth wheel height: 46.5 in.
Floor: 1.375-in. laminated hardwood
Crossmember: 4-in. steel I-beam on 12-in. centerline legs to tandem
Suspension: Hendrickson HKANT 40,000-lb. Vantraax air-ride sliding
tandem with Quik Draw pin release
Brakes: Outboard mounted cast-iron drums; 2S-1M SLH anti-lock brake system
Tie-downs: Log posts on 24-in. centerline with “A” type slots on 8-in. vertical centers
Axle: Hendrickson LDA; N-spindle; Stemco Platinum Performance 5-year wheel end system
Electrical: Water-resistant internally grounded wiring harness, LED stop/turn/tail lights
Interior/exterior: Pre-painted white 0.04-in. and 0.05-in. aluminum side
skins, pre-painted white 0.019-in., 80,000-psi galvanized steel lining, aluminum or FRP roof skin
Rear doors: 0.75-in. ply-metal rear doors, satin finish stainless-steel rear door case
VANGUARD
VXP
Length: 53 ft.
Width: 102.36 in.
Height: 13 ft. 6 in.
Weight: 14,000 lb., plus/minus 3 percent
Cubic capacity: 4,060 cu.-ft.
Kingpin: Holland AAR approved and certified; 36-in. setting
Floor: 1.375-in. laminated oak; pre-undercoated, three screws/board
Crossmember: 4-in. I-beams on 12-in. centers; wax-coated 80 KSI high-strength steel
Threshold: One-piece, heavy-duty unitized forklift package galvanized
Suspension and subframe: Air-ride slide, 216-in. rails
Axles: 5-in. round with extended service brake lining
Hubs: 10-stud hub-piloted outboard mount
Wheels: Accuride 8.25-in. x 22.5-in. five-handhole disc; painted white
Tires: 295/75R22.5 radial
Anti-lock brakes: Meritor WABCO 2S-1M
Automatic slack adjusters: Bendix, Meritor, Haldex or Gunite
Landing gear: Holland 51,000 series with RCF, located 103 in. from kingpin
Side panels: 0.313-in. composite laminate
Roof sheet: 0.04-in. aluminum
Rear doors: Composite swing with structural anti-theft pin and collar fastners, 5 hinges and 1 lock rod per door
Front lining: 0.5-in. plywood full height, close out at bottom
Scuff lining: Extruded aluminum base rail with galvanized corrugated steel directly attached to sidewall for a total of 12-in. side protection
VIP 4000/maxcube
Length: 53 ft.
Width: 102.36 in.
Height: 13 ft. 6 in.
Weight: 13,800 lb., plus/minus 3 percent (4000); 14,300 lb., plus/minus 3 percent
(Maxcube)
Cubic capacity: 4,010 cu.-ft. (4000); 4,050 cu.-ft. (Maxcube)
Kingpin: Holland AAR approved and certified; 36-in. setting
Floor: 1.375-in. laminated oak; pre-undercoated, three screws/board
Crossmember: 4-in. I-beams on 12-in. centers; wax-coated 80,000 psi minimum yield
Threshold: One-piece, heavy-duty unitized forklift package galvanized
Suspension and subframe: Air-ride slide, 216-in. rails
Axles: 5-in. round with extended service brake lining
Hubs: 10-stud hub-piloted outboard mount
Wheels: 8.25-in. x 22.5-in. five-handhole disc; painted white
Tires: 295/75R22.5 radial
Anti-lock brakes: Meritor WABCO 2S-1M
Automatic slack adjusters: Bendix, Meritor, Haldex or Gunite
Landing gear: Holland 51,000 series with RCF, located 103 in. from kingpin
Side panels: 0.05-in. aluminum pre-painted white
Roof sheet: 0.04-in. aluminum
Rear doors: Plymetal swing with structural anti-theft pin and collar fastners, 5 hinges and 1 lock rod per door
Front lining: 0.5-in. plywood full height, close out at bottom
Scuff lining: 12-in. corrugated steel directly attached to posts
Side lining: .25-in. plywood recessed between posts (4000); snap-in high-strength polypropylene (Maxcube)
WABASH
DURAPLATE DRY VAN
Length: 53 ft.
Width: 102.375 in.; 101 in. interior, scuff to scuff
Height: 13.5 ft.
Suspension: Meritor RideSentry 40,000-lb. air-ride sliding tandem
Axle, wheel end: Meritor WP axle with parallel spindle, pre-loaded bearings and Q-Plus extended-wear brakes
ABS: Meritor WABCO 2S-1M
Nose: Six-post nose with heavy-duty extruded aluminum corner posts
Sidewall: DuraPlate composite panels – constructed of high-density polyethylene core bonded between two sheets of high-strength galvanized steel
Roof: Bonded, tension roof with 0.04-in. aluminum sheet and steel; anti-snag roof bows
Rear frame coating: High-performance G2 powder coat
Rear doors: DuraPlate composite swing doors; optional overhead doors
Floor: Full 1.375-in. laminated oak with 20,000-lb. rating
Crossmember: 4-in. steel I-beams, 8-in. centers in the rear 2 ft.; optional 8-in. centers in the rear 4 ft.
Base rail: High-strength extruded aluminum with bolted base rail connections
Lighting: LEDs upper front and rear marker; modular-sealed main cable with
Truck-Lite SureSeal plug-ins; all lights with return ground
