Guides
Dry van guides for owner-operators
Straight answers on running a dry van: the trailer, the freight, the rules and the money. Every rule is cited and every number is dated or labeled as an example.
Loads and freight
Where van freight comes from and how to judge it.
- Updated October 2026Dry Van Brokers: How to Get Set Up, Get Paid and Stay SafeSetup packets, vetting brokers, rate confirmations, pay terms and fraud red flags.Read the guide
- Updated October 2026Load Boards for Dry Vans: What to Use and How to Use ItFree vs paid boards with dated prices, the search filters that matter and the red flags to skip.Read the guide
- Updated October 2026How Many Pallets Fit in a 53 ft Trailer?26 straight, up to 30 turned, double stacking, the weight check and 48 ft trailers.Read the guide
Rates and money
What loads pay and how to set your floor.
Rules and compliance
Weight limits, insurance and the federal rules behind them.
- Updated October 2026Dry Van Insurance: What You Need and What Brokers Ask ForCoverages, federal minimums, broker requirements and what drives the premium.Read the guide
- Updated October 2026Max Weight for a 53 ft Dry Van: Limits, Tare and Cargo MathThe 80,000 lb gross limit, axle limits, trailer weight and how much cargo you can legally haul.Read the guide
Equipment
The trailer itself: types, sizes and how it compares.
- Updated October 202653 ft Dry Van Dimensions: Inside, Outside and What FitsInside and outside measurements, door openings, cubic capacity and the 48 ft van.Read the guide
- Updated October 2026Dry Van vs Flatbed: The Work, the Pay and the Trade-OffsSecurement work, rates, equipment and physical demands compared for owner-operators.Read the guide
- Updated October 2026Dry Van vs Reefer: Which Trailer Fits Your Business?Costs, rates, freight and risk compared for owner-operators choosing between a van and a reefer.Read the guide
- Updated October 2026Types of Dry Van Trailers and the Freight Each One GetsPlate, sheet-and-post, vented, food grade, liftgate, spread axle and the rest, plus securing freight.Read the guide
- Updated October 2026What Is a Dry Van? The Trailer, the Freight and How It WorksThe enclosed trailer, the freight it hauls and how dry van trucking works for owner-operators.Read the guide
Starting and growing
From one truck to steady lanes.
Apply in about 2 minutes
Keep your van loaded. Keep your weekends.
Tell us your trailer, lanes and minimum rate. A dispatcher calls you back, and you approve every load before it's booked.
6% of gross for one truck, 5% for 2+ trucks (limited-time). No haul, no pay.
Prefer the full form? Open the application