What Can You Ship in a
Dry Van Trailer?

Dry van trailers are the workhorse of the freight industry. They're used more than any other trailer type, and for good reason — an enclosed dry van is a simple, affordable, weather-proof way to move a huge range of goods. If your business ships product, chances are you've already loaded a dry van without thinking twice about it.

But what exactly can you put in one — and what can't you? At ReBar Transportation Services Ltd, based in Millet, Alberta, we move dry van freight across Alberta and into Saskatchewan. Here's a plain-English rundown of what fits, what doesn't, and how much you can load.

What Is a Dry Van?

A dry van is the standard enclosed trailer you see on the highway every day — a sealed box on wheels that keeps your freight protected from rain, snow, wind, road spray, and prying eyes. Unlike a flatbed, the cargo is fully enclosed; unlike a reefer (refrigerated trailer), there's no temperature control. It's about protection and security, not climate.

Most dry vans are 53 feet long, with typical interior limits around 8'6" wide, 8'6" high, and a payload of roughly 42,000–45,000 lbs. As long as your freight fits inside those dimensions, doesn't need to be kept hot or cold, and can be loaded from the rear (by dock, forklift, or liftgate), a dry van is usually the most cost-effective way to move it.

How Much Fits in a Dry Van?

Dry vans are most often loaded with palletized freight. Depending on pallet size and how they're loaded (single-stacked vs. double-stacked), a 53-foot dry van typically holds 24 to 30 standard pallets. Loose-loaded or floor-loaded freight can pack in even tighter when pallets aren't required.

What Can Be Shipped in a Dry Van?

Just about any non-perishable, non-oversized freight that can be loaded from the back. Across Alberta, the commodities we see most often in dry vans include:

• Retail and consumer goods
• Non-perishable food and beverages
• Manufacturing parts and equipment
• Furniture and household goods
• Electronics and appliances
• Clothing, textiles and leather
• Packaged building materials
• Plastics and rubber goods
• Paper, packaging and printed products
• Many packaged chemicals and fertilizers
• Tools and hardware
• Sporting goods and seasonal product

That's far from a complete list — the point is that dry vans are versatile. Retail, food and beverage, manufacturing, and general distribution all lean on dry van capacity every single day.

What Can't Go in a Dry Van?

A dry van isn't the right fit for everything. Freight that usually needs a different trailer includes:

• Temperature-sensitive goods — fresh or frozen food and some pharmaceuticals need a refrigerated reefer, not a dry van
• Oversize or overweight loads — equipment that won't fit inside the box belongs on a flatbed or a heavy haul trailer
• Top- or crane-loaded freight — anything that can't come in through the rear doors
• Certain regulated dangerous goods — some are restricted or need specialized equipment and placarding

If you're not sure which trailer your freight needs, just call us and describe the load — we'll point you to the right setup, even if it isn't a dry van.

Choosing a Dry Van Carrier in Alberta

Because so many carriers offer dry van service, the hard part usually isn't finding a truck — it's finding one you can trust. A lot rides on every load that leaves your dock, and not every carrier delivers the same reliability, communication, or care.

When you're vetting a dry van carrier, it's worth asking about their equipment condition, insurance, on-time record, and how they keep you updated while your freight is on the road. As a small, owner-operated carrier, ReBar offers something the big fleets often can't: you deal directly with the people responsible for your load, and you get a straight answer every time.