Dry Vans
CCJ’s annual three-part guide to trailer specifications begins this month with a look at select dry vans from selected leading suppliers.
Today’s dry vans are stronger than those of the past while often being lighter. 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.
Manufacturers also have reduced trailer weight by employing 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.
As durability and maintenance have become major issues for fleets, trailer manufacturers have moved away from, or engineered alternatives to, traditional plywood liners.
Look for specs of selected refrigerated models in May and flatbeds in July.
CLASSIC DRY VAN
Length: 53 ft.
Width: 102.36 in.
Height: 13.6 ft.
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
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
Anti-lock brakes: Meritor WABCO 2S-1M
Brakes: 16.5-in. x 7-in. drums with S-cam brakes
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
HT HY-CUBE
Length: 53 ft.
Width: 102.36 in.
Height: 13 ft. 6 in.
Sides: 0.5-in. -thick prepainted 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
Anti-lock brakes: Two-sensor/one-modulator valve (2S/1M) system, PLC4Trucks-compatible system
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
4000 D-X DRY FREIGHT VAN
Length: 53 ft.
Width: 102.375 in.
Height: 13 ft. 6 in.
Rear doors: 0.75-in. ply-metal rear doors, satin finish stainless-steel rear door case
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
Anti-lock brakes: Meritor WABCO 2S-1M SLH
Brakes: Outboard-mounted cast-iron drums
Axle: Hendrickson LDA; N-spindle; Stemco Platinum Performance 5-year wheel-end system
Interior/exterior: Prepainted white 0.04-in. and 0.05-in. aluminum side skins; prepainted white 0.019-in., 80,000-psi galvanized steel lining; aluminum or FRP roof skin
VXP
Length: 53 ft.
Width: 102.36 in.
Height: 13 ft. 6 in.
Sides: 0.313-in. composite laminate
Roof sheet: 0.04-in. aluminum
Rear doors: Composite swing with structural anti-theft pin and collar fasteners, 5 hinges and 1 lock rod per door
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
Suspension and subframe: Air-ride slide, 216-in. rails
Anti-lock brakes: Meritor WABCO 2S-1M
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.
Sides: 0.05-in. aluminum prepainted white
Roof sheet: 0.04-in. aluminum
Rear doors: Plymetal swing with structural anti-theft pin and collar fasteners, 5 hinges and 1 lock rod per door
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
Suspension and subframe: Air-ride slide, 216-in. rails
Anti-lock brakes: Meritor WABCO 2S-1M
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)
DURAPLATE DRY VAN
Length: 53 ft.
Width: 102 ft. 3/8 in.; 101-in. interior, scuff to scuff
Height: 13 ft. 6 in.
Sides: DuraPlate logistic composite panels – constructed of high-density polyethylene core bonded between two sheets of high-strength galvanized steel
Roof: Bonded, tension roof with .04-in. aluminum sheet and steel; anti-snag roof bows
Rear frame coating: High-performance G2 thermoplastic powder coat
Rear doors: DuraPlate composite swing doors; optional overhead doors
Floor: Full 1 3/8-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.
Suspension: Hendrickson HKANT40 air-ride sliding tandem
Anti-lock brakes: Meritor WABCO 2S-1M
Base rail: High-strength extruded aluminum with bolted base rail connections
