Dry Van Trailer Walkthrough: Top Components You Should Know ...

Dry vans are fully enclosed trailers, often referred to as boxes, that are one of the most high-demand freight options due to their versatility. Because they are enclosed, non-perishable goods can easily be transported regardless of weather and protected from theft. Unlike refrigerated vans, dry vans do not have climate control, so they should be used to transport goods that are not temperature sensitive. Their lower average rate cost also makes them a more affordable option.

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If you are in charge of managing a fleet of dry vans, it’s important to understand how a dry van trailer is built. Anything that compromises the integrity of the trailer could cause the box to collapse or one item coming off the trailer on the highway could cause a safety issue. So it's essential you’re familiar with your trailers, and, of course, the maintenance that's required for them.

Join Michael on a Dry Van Walkthrough!

Dry Van Trailer Design

Although a trailer may seem quite simple, many complex design features are necessary to transport cargo safely and efficiently. A tractor, air, and power are the key components needed to make any trailer fully functional.

Exterior: Front Components

Let’s first cover some of the most important  items you will find on the front of the trailer. These parts include:

• The king pin located under the trailer allows the tractor to connect its fifth wheel.
• Glad hands provide an air supply to the trailer so that the driver is able to safely control the brakes on the road. 
• A seven-way power source connects power to control the lights. 

Lastly, our trailers here at Premier are equipped with a small solar panel that provides a trickle charge to the trailer's tracking device. You can track where your trailer is at all times on our website. 

All of these items on the front of the trailer are covered in our pre-trip inspection.

Exterior: Side Components

Moving on to the sides of the trailer, you can find a number of panels, rivets, and bolts. Usually, a visual inspection is good enough to see if there are any cuts, holes, or other damage on the trailer that you need to be aware of before your trip. Some trailers are equipped with side skirts, which make the trailer more aerodynamic and fuel-efficient. Depending on your local regulations, side skirts may be required. 

As you look down each side of the trailer, you'll notice red and white reflective tape used to make the trailer more visible at night. In addition, there are mid-signal lights so that other drivers are aware of when the trailer is turning.

Lastly, you can find the anti-lock braking system (ABS) light. If the ABS light comes on after the initial startup, during your trip, there's likely an issue that requires your attention.

Exterior: Rear Components

At the back of the trailer, you can find composite trailer doors. When closing doors, it's important to ensure a watertight seal as trailers travel through all kinds of different road conditions. Commonly used door types are roll-up and swing doors. An advantage of roll-up doors is that they can be easily opened from a warehouse's dock. However, you lose 2-3 inches of height at the top, so the best door type will vary depending on the application. 

Finally, there’s a ride guard in the rear which is added so that cars do not slide underneath the trailer in an accident. 

Exterior: Undercarriage Components

Now, let's take a look underneath the trailer. Components to look for include:

• Toward the front, the approach plate is where the king pin we mentioned earlier is connected to the upper coupler. Again, the tractor backs up and engages with the trailer at their fifth wheel. 
• Heading down the trailer, you can see bars called cross members. During the pre-trip inspection, these are surveyed for signs of damage or deflection. 
• At the center, the landing gear legs, which support the trailer after it’s been detached from the tractor, can move up and down at two speeds for greater capacity and ease of use. High gear moves the legs faster when the trailer is unloaded, while low gear provides more lift capacity when the trailer has cargo. 
• You can also find the trailer’s K braces near the landing gear, which are important to inspect, too. They provide structural stability and make the trailer frame more rigid. 
• The trailer bogie can be found connected to the rail and the rest of the box. This subassembly of wheels and axles support the air suspension to provide load transfer.
• There is an attached air release valve that can easily slide tandems into holes up and down the rail based on your use application or state regulations. Tandems change the weight distribution on the drive axles, providing more support.
• Airbags are located in the rear as part of the air ride suspension. There are two types of trailer suspension: air ride and spring ride. Most of Premier's fleet is equipped with air ride because it tends to be the preference of shippers, it's gentler on cargo, and it generally improves driver satisfaction. 

Interior: Damage Prevention Components

The first thing you'll notice inside the trailer is the threshold plate. This metal plate prevents damage to the wood floor from the warehouse's dock plate. Going down each side of the trailer, scuff liners protect the side walls while the trailer is being loaded and unloaded. Metal lining along the walls, referred to as logistics posts, helps secure cargo inside the trailer by providing a place to tie ropes, cords, or straps. 

Interior: Sensors

At the front of the trailer, you can find the cargo sensor. The benefit of the cargo sensor is that you can log into the Premier Trailer Leasing portal and check to see if your trailer is loaded without even leaving your office or going out to your yard.

Dry Van Maintenance and Inspection

Like any other vehicle, regular trailer maintenance is required to help keep your fleet operational and your drivers safe. Accurate maintenance records ensure preventative measures are taken before they become a larger problem.

VIN and License Plate

Starting at the front of our trailers, keep an eye out for a decal at the top right corner that displays letters and numbers. Often referred to as VIN (vehicle identification number) information, these codes serve as a unique identifier for each individual trailer. VIN and license plate information can be found online to pull registrations, current renewals, or annual inspection information on the Premier Trailer Leasing website.

In addition to the VIN decal, a VIN plate is included, as well as an up-to-date annual inspection verification sticker. Just as with any other personal or commercial vehicle, annual inspections are required for all of our trailers. 

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Registration Bubble

Above the annual inspection sticker, you can find a small box which we call a registration bubble. Registration bubbles are used to hold important documents such as the registration, current renewal, annual inspection information, or other items that the driver may need during their trip (e.g., manifest information). If you don't see one of these at the front of your trailer, it may be located on the side of the landing lights. 

Tire Condition

Of course, we can’t forget to mention that tires are a critical component of every trailer. It’s important to select the best tires for your trailer because they are the most expensive trailer maintenance item. 

A responsible driver must regularly check the condition of all tires, maintaining at least the 2/32nd required legal tread depth. Tires should be adjacent, within 4/32nd, and properly inflated with an intact valve stem. Lastly, lug nuts should be properly bolted, lubricant-filled, and with no obvious signs of leaking.

Find the Right Trailer at Premier Trailer Leasing 

As you can see, trailers are much more than boxes and require consistent maintenance to ensure they continue to perform for you and your company. If you have any questions about semi-trailers, please reach out to a member of our team or visit our website to learn more about the trailer options we offer. We're happy to help keep your freight moving!

Michael Schmidt is the Branch Manager for Premier Trailer Leasing's Dallas-Forth Worth Metroplex. His 12 years of sales experience includes branch operations, territory sales management, automotive leasing, account management and branch equipment services.

If you’re in the market for a semi-trailer to go with your truck, there’s a lot to consider.

For one thing, the trailer must be compatible with the truck that will be hauling it. Budget is also a major factor, but the lowest price rarely gives you the best value. It’s important to research typical price ranges for the type of trailer you’re looking for.

In addition, we’ve put together 4 tips to guide your selection and help you choose the trailer that best meets your needs.

#1: Ask Lots of Questions

Purchasing a trailer is a major investment for your business, so the more information you can get the better.

A reputable seller will be happy to answer any questions you have. Here are a few things to be sure and find out:

• Is the seller an independent owner or broker?
• Why did the owner decide to sell?
• Is the seller seeking to upgrade to a newer truck or trailer?
• Were there technical issues with the trailer?
• Has the trailer had any mechanical problems?

#2: Get Documentation

You shouldn’t have to take the seller’s word for it when asking important questions. He or she should be able to provide a complete and accurate record of the trailer’s history. For example, Pedigree provides detailed records on every trailer available for purchase.

• The trailer should have a current safety inspection.
• Ask to see a complete service record. It should include regularly scheduled maintenance and unexpected repairs. This will give you a sense of the trailer’s overall performance and maintenance issues likely to appear in the future.
• Find out if the trailer has been involved in any traffic accidents or suffered damage from other causes.
• Verify the correct VIN number.

#3: Inspect Structural Components

Take the time to inspect the trailer closely. You might enlist the help of an experienced mechanic who knows what to look for.

• Check for rust. While some surface rust can be corrected with proper care and simple maintenance, structural rust could lead to higher maintenance costs, more downtime and a shorter service life for the trailer.
• Check for structural damage. Use a flashlight to inspectunderneath the trailer. Be sure the slider rails are securely welded to the cross members. Look for cracks, irregularities, or fresh welds that could indicate recent major repairs. If anything looks odd to you, ask the seller to provide details in writing.
• Make sure openings are properly sealed. If you’re purchasing a reefer trailer, it must be able to protect any perishable cargo you’re carrying and to give you optimal energy usage. Inspect the reefer from the inside with all openings closed, and check the door seals, ceiling, floor, and sides. If you can see daylight coming through, then repairs are needed to ensure the reefer will give you a good return on the money you’re spending.
• Check the lights. Make sure brake lights, signals, and electrical connections are in good working order. Check all wiring for fraying or other damage.
• Check the brakes. Have drums and linings inspected, make sure the anti-lock braking system ABS is working, and that wires are not frayed or cut.
• Check the tires. Tire problems could be just a matter of repairing the tires themselves or could indicate mechanical problems elsewhere on the trailer. Look for irregularities such as tread, embedded objects, and bulges. Worn tires could be caused by problems with the axle, wheels, rims, brake drums, hubs, or shocks. On the other hand, worn-out or improperly inflated tires can contribute to mechanical issues such as axle misalignment, broken suspension, and bad shocks.

#4: Anticipate Costs & Service Needs

Don’t just look at the list price of the trailer. Think about other costs of acquiring and owning the trailer over time.

First of all, consider financing and insurance. Unless you intend to pay the full asking price upfront, you will need to apply for a loan to help you acquire the trailer. Lenders will, of course, want to see your credit score and other qualifications such as driving experience, business registration, and proof of insurance.

Second, what happens when it’s time for repairs? Think about replacement parts that will be needed in the future. Make sure they are still available from at least two suppliers.

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