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The term "dry van"

ChanceMaster

ChanceMaster

Expert Expediter
Where did the words of " dry van" or even "van" as in the context of a trailer originate ? Or as in " van lines" certainly not from a traditional 4 wheel van Anybody ?
 
M

mjmsprt40

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
I don't know about the origination except that the term pre-dates the modern cargo van.

"Dry van" probably distinguishes this type of trailer from the refrigerated trailers-- especially the reefers that were cooled with ice. Ice melts, and dry goods can't be shipped in a wet trailer.
 
zorry

zorry

Veteran Expediter
My guess on the dry part is that early reefers probably didn't keep stuff dry. Too much condensation. Often product was packed in or covered with ice..
Also a lot of freight was hauled in stake trucks covered with tarps. This wouldn't keep stuff as dry as a van.
You'd have to research the word van to see why it is associated with box trailers.

Unless the Johnny Van Body Co built early trailers, which I'm sure probably isn't the case.
 
zorry

zorry

Veteran Expediter
I'm thinking Fruehauf was an early player in this market, so Van may have German origin.
 
zorry

zorry

Veteran Expediter
On No !

Will this thread cause the Maestro of Miles, to rename his vehicle, Van Go ??
 
Moot

Moot

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
From Wikipedia: The word van is a shortened version of the word caravan, which originally meant a covered vehicle.
 
zorry

zorry

Veteran Expediter
Gary:

Cool

Back in the 70's I saw pics of a Dodge Van that the guy put a tag axle under.

It too was Cool .
 
zorry

zorry

Veteran Expediter
I missed the LTL question.

Was the answer

What more and more expeditors do as they lower their rates ?
 
asjssl

asjssl

Veteran Expediter
Fleet Owner
Learning Turtles Lore

Sent from my DROID RAZR using EO Forums mobile app
 
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