The seemingly contradictory demands of lighter weight and durability continue to define dry van trailer design and development in North America. Yet trailer manufacturers, through careful research and testing, have optimized their dry vans for tough weight-friendly service by using the latest in composite side panels and flooring, which has the useful side effect of optimizing interior van width and length and providing easier loading and unloading. These new composite materials are combined with the latest developments in high-strength aluminum and galvanized steel.
Instead of simply over-building trailers, designers have taken a fresh look at overall dry van design with an eye toward strengthening high-stress areas while reducing component weight in areas that encounter heavy torsional loads or lateral g-forces.
Perhaps the most visible evolution of the current dry van trailer design is the increasing use of aerodynamic skirts, wings and air dams to reduce overall unit drag and boost tractor-trailer fuel economy. This technology is still in its infancy, but if current fuel prices are any indication, it’s one we’ll be seeing more of in the future.
GREAT DANE
CLASSIC
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: 0.04-in. aluminum sheet with bows on 24-in. centers
Rear doors: 0.5-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: Holland Light Slide LS4 sliding air ride with 49-in. axle spacing; spindle axle
Anti-lock brakes: WABCO 2S/1M Easy Stop
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
Exterior options: Multiple side-door options and locations; multiple entry/egress options; large- and small-tire drops available
COMPOSITE
Length: 53 ft.
Width: 102.36 in.
Height: 13.6 ft.
Sides: Logistic uprights on 48-in. centers
Roof: 0.04-in. aluminum sheet with bows on 24-in. centers
Rear doors: 0.5-in. composite swing; dual-seal gaskets; white galvanized steel cover sheet
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: Holland Light Slide LS4 sliding air ride with 49-in. axle spacing; spindle axle
Anti-lock brakes: WABCO 2S/1M Easy Stop
Brakes: 16.5-in. x 7-in. drums with S-cam brakes
Scuff band: Two rows – first row, 6-in. extruded aluminum integrated with bottom rail; second row, 7-in. galvanized 18-gauge steel
Interior options: Overlaid track; various scuff bands; aluminum cargo floors; interior and ceiling linings
P-101
Length: 53 ft.
Width: 102.36 in.
Height: 13.6 ft.
Sides: 0.503-in. steel logistic posts on 16-in. centers; 0.05-in. prepainted white flat aluminum side sheets
Roof: 0.04-in. aluminum sheet with bows on 24-in. centers
Rear doors: 0.5-in. composite swing; dual-seal gaskets; white galvanized steel cover sheet
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: Holland Light Slide LS4 sliding air ride with 49-in. axle spacing; spindle axle
Anti-lock brakes: Meritor WABCO 2S/1M Easy Stop
Brakes: 16.5-in. x 7-in. drums with S-cam brakes
Scuff band: 10-in. corrugated steel
Interior options: Overlaid track; various scuff bands; aluminum cargo floors; interior and ceiling linings
HYUNDAI TRANSLEAD
HT-HY Cube
Length: 53 ft.
Width: 102.36 in.
Height: 13 ft. 6 in.
Sides: 0.05-in.-thick prepainted white aluminum
Roof: One-piece 0.04-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: Nonasbestos 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.
Sides: 0.05-in.-thick prepainted white aluminum
Roof: One-piece 0.04-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: Nonasbestos 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
UTILITY
4000 D-X COMPOSITE
Length: 53 ft.
Width: 102.375 in.
Height: 13 ft. 6 in.
Inside width: 100 in. at wearband (100.25 in. lining to lining)
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
Suspension: Hendrickson HKANT 40,000-lb. Vantraax air-ride sliding tandem with Quik Draw pin release
Anti-lock brakes: Bendix 25-1M
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. aluminum side skins, prepainted white 0.019-in. 80,000-psi galvanized steel lining, with injected Polyurethane foam core bonding interior lining panels to outside skin panels
Logistics: A-slot side posts on 24-in. centers; extra posts over KP and landing gear
Roof skin: 0.04-in. aluminum roof skin with galvanized steel anti-snag roof bows on 24-in. centers; 16-in. centers in bay area
4000D-X COMPOSITE 101
Length: 53 ft.
Width: 102.375 in.
Height: 13 ft. 6 in.
Inside width: 101 in. at wearband (101.25 in. lining to lining)
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
Suspension: Hendrickson HKANT 40,000-lb. Vantraax air-ride sliding tandem with Quik Draw pin release
Anti-lock brakes: Bendix 25-1M
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. aluminum side skins, prepainted white 0.019-in. 80,000-psi galvanized steel lining, with injected Polyurethane foam core bonding interior lining panels to outside skin panels
Logistics: A-slot side posts on 24-in. centers; extra posts over KP and landing gear
Roof skin: 0.04-in. aluminum roof skin with galvanized steel anti-snag roof bows on 24-in. centers; 16-in. centers in bay area
VANGUARD
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: 0.25-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.
Sides: 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 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.
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
Lights: All LED lights