A blind shipment is when a third party controls the movement of the freight but

does not want the shipper or consignee to know the name of the other. The
following conditions will apply to blind shipments when via Saia: Two bills of
lading are required and both must be prepaid.

A shipping quote is an element of online shopping carts, it represents the cost of

shipping that product.

Dry Van Shipping: What You Need to Know

Whether you’re learning about the logistics industry, or you work in it already,
you’re probably inundated with mentions of the phrase “dry van trucking.” Turns
out, it’s for a good reason – dry vans are the most commonly found trailer for
shipping jobs, and therefore, the most commonly used. Dry vans refer to a big,
empty box, essentially, which makes them useful for a range of different shipping
jobs.

Dry van trucking companies offer services that meet a variety of needs, making
them a versatile choice for several different industries, as well as an ideal job
situation for many drivers. Learning more about dry van shipping, as well as
flatbed and refrigerated options, will make it easier for you to decide which is the
best option for shipping your freight.

The Differences Between Dry Van Shipping, Flatbed Trucks, and

Refrigerated Freight

If you’re not yet sure what type of shipping method to use for your freight,
learning about three of the common types can help you narrow down the choice.
Dry van shipping, flatbed trucks, and refrigerated options are three top choices for
shipping freight, and while they are somewhat similar, there are distinct differences
between the three.

1
Dry Van Shipping

Dry van shipping refers to the vehicle or compartment used to haul shipments. In
this case, the “dry van” is the trailer you see connected to trucks on the highway
every day. They’re big, rectangular containers, essentially. They’re considered the
most common type of freight transportation, and they’re designed to haul pallets or
boxes of cargo, as well as most any other type of equipment.

There is no temperature control or other climate alterations within the dry van,
which means if your freight needs to be refrigerated, this is not the choice for you.
However, for items like consumer goods (clothing, some electronics, machinery,
packaged foods, etc.) they are great, because they allow for a large amount of
freight to be shipped at once in an organized and convenient manner.

Dry van trucking is often chosen for their convenience: In addition to being large
and versatile, they protect cargo from bad weather, potential damage, and theft.
They’re used for both full-truckload as well as LTL shipments—full truckloads can
be scheduled with custom pick-up and delivery specifications, while LTL
shipments can benefit from lower pricing thanks to freight consolidation.

No matter what type of products you’re shipping, as long as they aren’t required to
be kept cold, dry van shipping can work for your transport needs.

Refrigerated Freight

Refrigerated LTL shipments are some of the most complex modes of

transportation due to the limitations of time taken for the delivery and distance
traveled. These shipments involve a refrigerated, temperature-controlled trailer that
can be kept at temperatures for frozen products (0-10 degrees Fahrenheit) or
refrigerated products (32-36 degrees Fahrenheit). Refrigerated LTL shipments ship
at a temperature range, not at a specific degree, so if your product needs to be kept
at a specific temperature while being shipped, this might not be the best option for
your product.

2
Flatbed Trucks

These three methods of shipping freight are somewhat similar, but flatbeds are
quite a bit different, in that they are trailers with no enclosures or doors. They can
be loaded and unloaded from either the sides or above, which is ideal for oversized
or irregularly shaped freight.

What Industries Use Dry Van Shipping and Why?

Many industries use dry van trucking, and for a variety of reasons. First, because
so many products are shipped via dry van—electronics, some foods, cleaning
products, automotive equipment, and so much more. Another reason dry van
shipping is so frequently chosen is because it’s very easy to find dry van shipping
companies that have availability to ship freight. Many shipping companies and
3PL (third-party logistics) providers focus on dry van shipping because it’s a
lucrative service to offer, which means you won’t have much difficulty finding a
carrier that can handle your shipment.

As for employment opportunities, jobs with dry van trucking companies offer the
most range for workers, because they run regionally, nationally, and locally—
making it easier for employees to tailor their jobs to their needs (for instance,
whether they want to be at home more or less). Industries that use dry van shipping
include:

Food and beverage (non-perishable/non-refrigerated products)

Automotive

Electronics

Manufacturing

Consumer goods

Entertainment

3
Health & beauty

Cleaning products

Dry van shipping is perfect for any packaged freight that does not need
refrigeration or other temperature control, and is standard-van sized or smaller
because it’s an extremely versatile logistics service across a wide range of
industries.

4
Flatbed, Stepdeck, and Double Drop Trailers – Capabilities
and Benefits

Knowing the main types of trailers and their specifications will help
shippers choose the right one to transport their freight. Although there are more
than 14 types of trailers, specially designed to meet different custom shipping
demands, we`ll focus on the 3 most common types
of truckloads: Flatbed,Step Deck and Double Drop Deck.

1) Flatbed trailers are very versatile, making them a common asset for carriers. It is
a basic form trailer, with no sides or roof, providing quick and easy loading and
unloading.  Common uses include heavy loads that are not perishable, delicate or
vulnerable to precipitation – since there is no cover to protect the freight. Examples
of typical cargo:

          construction equipment
          machinery
5
           tubing
          lumber
          scaffolding
          Steel products

2) Step Deck, or Single Drop Deck, is a type of trailer that is similar to flatbed, but
with two deck levels: upper deck and lower deck that drop down after clearing the
tractor unit. Generally, step deck trailers can haul taller loads than Flatbed trailers
and often have ramps for unloading. They also tend to be safer for forklift pickup,
due to the fact that they are closer to the ground. Examples of typical cargo:

          tractors
          machinery
          heavy freight that is over 9 feet tall

 3) Double Drop Deck trailers are used for oversized freight that is taller than 10
feet. It has a longer piece of trailer, called a “well”, in the middle that dips below
trailer axles. The well ranges from 25 to 29 feet, making it ideal for taller, shorter
freight. Double Drop Deck trailers usually have 2 or more axles, and a “Flip axle”,
which can flip up and lay on the deck or flip down and create extra axle for
balancing weight. Examples of typical cargo:

          construction equipment
          forklifts
          cars
          trucks
          tanks