When transporting goods across the country, selecting the right type of trucking service is crucial. With over 10.23 billion tons of freight transported via trucks annually in the U.S. alone, businesses are constantly weighing their options for the best method. Two of the most common options for general cargo are dry van and flatbed trucking.
But which one is better suited for your Business Needs? Here, you will explore the key differences, benefits, and considerations for each, helping you make an informed decision.
What is Dry Van Trucking?
It is one of the most common types of freight transportation. Goods are hauled in a sealed trailer which can range in size from 16 feet to 53 feet long. These trailers are widely used for moving packaged and palletized goods, non-perishable items, and electronics but you can use it to move bulked and floor loaded loads.
Since the trailers are enclosed, they offer protection from the weather conditions, which makes them ideal for a wide range of cargo types.
Key Benefits
This type of trucking offers numerous advantages that make it a reliable choice for transporting a huge range of goods efficiently and safely. Some of those advantages are:
- Weather Protection: One of the finest qualities is its capacity to shield cargo from adverse weather conditions like rain, snow, or dust. Therefore, it is ideal for shipping fragile items.
- Versatility: These trucks can transport various products, from retail goods to machinery, making them a flexible option for most industries.
- Security: The sealed trailers protect cargo from risk of manipulation or theft, offering an additional layer of security.
- Cost-Effective: This kind of truck tends to be more cost-effective than other trucking services, especially when transporting large quantities of goods over long distances.
What is Flatbed Trucking?
This kind of truck involves transporting cargo on an open platform trailer. Being an open trailer, they can transport large or unusually shaped items that would not fit within a typical truck.
This method is commonly used to haul construction materials, heavy machinery, and large equipment, basically, you can move just about any kind of dry commodities, as long as you know how to cube it out properly. Flatbeds provide more versatility when loading and unloading freight from various angles than the other kind of trucks.
Key Benefits
It provides several advantages, making it a popular choice for various industries. Here are some key benefits:
- Flexibility in Loading/Unloading: Because these kinds of trucks are open, cargo may be loaded and unloaded from multiple available angles, which makes them perfect for larger or oddly shaped objects.
- Transporting Oversized Goods: These are ideal for transferring items that need a special dedicated space, such as industrial pipes, building materials, giant beams, or machinery.
- Any kind of Packaging: in this trailer can move any kind of packaging because although contents aren’t enclosed in a trailer you can cube it. But it’s crucial to secure the cargo with straps or protect the commodity with tarps in case you need it.
Despite the benefits, it’s important to note that these trucks need an experienced driver and extra precautions, such as tarping, may be required to protect the load.
Dry Van vs Flatbed: Key Differences
When deciding between dry van vs flatbed trucking, it’s essential to consider a few critical differences.
- Type of Cargo: A dry van is better suited for goods that can be cubed in its dimensions, such as furniture, electronics, bulked loads and consumer goods. On the other hand, flatbed trucking is ideal for oversized, heavy, or oddly shaped items that wouldn’t fit into a standard dry van trailer.
- Cost Considerations: Trucking with a dry van is typically less expensive than flatbed trucking. However, flatbed transportation requires specialized equipment and extra work to secure the load, so the costs are greater. Nonetheless, the additional expense is frequently justified if your goods need a flatbed because of their size or shape.
- Weather Exposure: As mentioned before, dry vans are fully enclosed and protect the cargo from rain, snow, and other weather elements. Flatbeds, by contrast, expose the cargo, requiring additional covering like tarps to ensure protection.
- Security: Dry vans provide more security as the trailer is sealed and less theft-resistant. In flatbed trucking, the open trailer means goods are more vulnerable to potential theft if not adequately secured.
Choosing the Right Option for Your Cargo
When deciding between a dry van and flatbed trucking, consider the following factors:
- Cargo Type: If your goods are easy to cube or you need no manipulation in the process,dry van trucking is your best bet. Flatbed trucking will provide the flexibility you need for larger, bulkier items.
- Cost: While a dry van is more affordable, flatbed trucking is ideal for oversized or irregularly shaped goods like machinery or construction materials. Flatbeds offer greater loading flexibility but typically come at a higher cost than dry vans.
Conclusion
Depending on the goods’ needs, dry van and flatbed trucking have unique advantages. Flatbeds are perfect for large items, while dry vans offer security and weather protection. Selecting the best choice guarantees cargo-specific, safe, and effective shipping.
By choosing the right equipment for your cargo, we ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective shipping tailored to your specific needs. Trust UTB Logistics for expertise in FTL, LTL, and specialized transport solutions that keep your business moving forward.
