Did you know that dry box van trailers (dry trailers) are the most common type of trailers in the Canadian market, representing roughly half of total sales?
If you are looking to purchase a dry van trailer in Canada, then there are certain things you need to watch out for. Keep reading to find out what those factors are.
1. Maintenance Costs
Newer models of dry van trailers have many more features and are made with better-quality materials than older ones. That's why it's a good idea to upgrade your dry van trailer every 7-10 years, even if it's working well enough.
This will reduce your maintenance costs, as newer models won't require as much maintenance, especially if you take care of your trailer. Also, make sure that it's made of higher quality materials from North America rather than cheap ones from Taiwan, which are put together in Mexico.
2. Weight Load Capacity and Flooring
This is going to be the biggest consideration for you when choosing the right trailer. You want a trailer that can handle the load capacity that you are looking for.
This means that you will want to ensure it has high-quality flooring that can support the additional pressure that is exerted when shipments are loaded, carried, and then unloaded.
3. Anti-Corrosion Features
Make sure that the manufacturer of your dry van trailer hasn't tried to keep costs down by avoiding galvanization of the cross bracing and the landing gear leg wing plates. This will prevent corrosion underneath, and in Canada, with the snow and salted roads, you must have anti-corrosion features in place.
This way, you will be able to hold on to your dry van trailer for longer and thus save on costs. Also, look for a stainless-steel front apron plate.
This feature should help with eliminating corrosion in the highly visible areas of your trailer. This should also prevent damage in an impact.
4. Tire Quality
Again, some manufacturers will use lesser quality tires to save on costs, like Tier 2 or Tier 3. Make sure you buy a trailer with Tier 1 Bridgestone tires or something at that quality level.
Since these can get retreaded, it makes their lifecycle the lowest cost you can get. Any way you can reduce cost and increase the lifespan of your dry van trailer is useful.
5. Side Panel Construction
Again, beware of imported parts that are used in side panels by certain manufacturers. Galvanized steel sheets bonded to high-density polyethylene (HDPE) core is the way to go when it comes to side panel construction.
Use This Dry Van Trailer Buying Guide
Unfortunately, no matter how much care you put into choosing the right trailer, eventually, you will have to purchase a new one, as wear and tear takes its toll. But if you follow the guide above, you should have chosen the best dry van trailer for your business.
If you need to purchase dry bins, flatbeds, trailers, storage containers, and chassis supplies, request an estimate from United Trailers today.