Comprehensive Dry Van Transportation

Dry van trailers—fully enclosed, weather-protected semi-trailers—are the workhorse of the trucking industry, transporting approximately 70% of all freight in North America. Quality Wheels specializes in dry van transportation for general and specialty freight, providing secure, reliable service backed by industry-leading performance metrics.

What is Dry Van Freight?

Dry van freight includes palletized, boxed, or packaged cargo that:

• Doesn’t require temperature control (not refrigerated or frozen)
• Fits within enclosed trailer dimensions (53′ x 8.5′ x 9′)
• Meets standard weight limits (up to 45,000 lbs)
• Needs protection from weather, theft, and damage
• Can be loaded/unloaded via dock or liftgate equipment

Typical dry van cargo:

• Consumer goods and retail products
• Electronics and appliances
• Automotive parts and components
• Furniture and home goods
• Packaged food products (non-perishable)
• Paper products and office supplies
• Industrial parts and supplies
• Pharmaceuticals and medical supplies
• Textiles and apparel
• And virtually any boxed, palletized, or packaged freight

Our Dry Van Fleet

Modern, Well-Maintained Equipment

Quality Wheels operates and coordinates a fleet of 108 trucks with modern dry van trailers:

Standard 53-Foot Dry Vans

• Interior length: 53 feet
• Interior width: 8.5 feet (102 inches)
• Interior height: 9 feet (standard) or 9’6″ (high-cube)
• Capacity: Up to 45,000 lbs or 26 pallets (standard)
• Loading: Rear swing doors or roll-up doors

Features:

• Air-ride suspension for freight protection
• Aluminum or translucent roofs for light during loading
• E-track tie-down systems for load securement
• Logistic posts for segregating cargo
• Clean, damage-free interiors inspected before every load
• GPS tracking on every truck

Equipment Variations

High-Cube Trailers Extra height (9’6″ interior) for maximizing cubic capacity when weight isn’t the limiting factor.

Liftgate-Equipped Trailers Hydraulic lift gates for locations without loading docks. Typical capacity: 3,000-4,000 lbs.

Multi-Temperature Divider Walls Available when combined dry and refrigerated sections are needed (coordinated through specialized partners).

Types of Freight We Handle

General Merchandise & Consumer Goods

What we transport:

• Retail products and consumer packaged goods
• Apparel, textiles, and footwear
• Home goods, furniture, and décor
• Toys, sporting goods, and recreational equipment
• Books, media, and office products

Why Quality Wheels:

• 98.2% on-time delivery ensures products reach stores and DCs when needed
• Secure transport protects valuable merchandise from theft and damage
• Seasonal capacity for holiday peaks and promotional surges
• Guaranteed Shipment Visibility for inventory tracking

Electronics & High-Value Cargo

What we transport:

• Consumer electronics (TVs, computers, phones)
• Appliances (washers, dryers, refrigerators)
• Medical equipment and devices
• Server equipment and data center hardware
• Industrial electronics and control systems

Specialized handling:

• Enhanced security protocols
• Climate-controlled transport available
• Extra cargo insurance for high-value loads
• White-glove handling and inside delivery options
• Photo documentation and signature requirements

Automotive Parts & Components

What we transport:

• Original equipment (OE) parts for manufacturing
• Aftermarket parts for distribution
• Tires and wheels
• Accessories and service parts
• Vehicle components and assemblies

Benefits:

• Just-in-time delivery supporting production schedules
• Sequenced delivery for assembly line needs
• Dedicated Lanes for recurring routes
• Drop trailer options for flexible loading

Industrial & Manufacturing

What we transport:

• Manufacturing supplies and raw materials
• Finished products and assemblies
• Packaging materials and supplies
• Industrial chemicals (non-hazardous or properly placarded)
• Tools, equipment, and replacement parts

Capabilities:

• Bulk shipments and consolidated freight
• Cross-dock and transload services
• Inventory management and warehousing coordination
• Supply chain optimization through Supply Chain Consultations

Food & Beverage (Non-Perishable)

What we transport:

• Dry goods and packaged foods
• Canned and bottled products
• Beverages (non-refrigerated)
• Snacks and confections
• Baking ingredients and supplies

Food-grade service:

• Clean trailers with no prior hazmat or odorous cargo
• FSMA compliance when required
• Temperature monitoring available
• Sanitary transportation practices

Pharmaceuticals & Medical

What we transport:

• Pharmaceutical products (non-temperature-sensitive)
• Medical supplies and equipment
• Healthcare consumables
• Over-the-counter medications
• Medical devices and diagnostic equipment

Regulatory compliance:

• FSMA Drug Rule compliance
• Chain of custody documentation
• Secure transport protocols
• Validated carriers for GxP compliance

Building Materials & Home Improvement

What we transport:

• Packaged building materials
• Hardware and fixtures
• Tools and equipment
• HVAC units and components
• Plumbing and electrical supplies

Flexible loading:

• Combination palletized and floor-loaded freight
• Mixed shipments with various products
• Residential delivery options when needed

Specialty Freight Handling

While dry van freight is “standard” in many ways, certain cargo requires special attention, handling, or protocols. Quality Wheels provides specialty freight services including:

High-Value Cargo

Enhanced security for valuable freight:

• Team drivers for continuous movement (no overnight stops)
• GPS tracking with frequent check-ins
• Sealed trailers with tamper-evident devices
• Bonded and insured for high-value goods
• Limited stops and direct routing
• Background-checked drivers

Typical threshold: Cargo valued at $100,000+ may require enhanced protocols.

Fragile & Delicate Freight

Extra care for breakable items:

• Air-ride suspension trailers (standard on our fleet)
• Specialized load securement and bracing
• Reduced speed limits and smooth driving protocols
• No cross-dock or transfer (direct delivery)
• White-glove handling when needed

Examples: Glass products, artwork, electronics, ceramics, precision instruments.

Floor-Loaded Freight

Maximizing trailer utilization:

• Floor loading (not palletized) for maximizing space
• Hand unloading at destination when required
• Mixed palletized and floor-loaded shipments
• Proper load securement and damage prevention

Common for: Tires, bagged products, irregularly shaped items, high-volume low-weight cargo.

Hazmat Cargo (Non-Bulk)

Properly placarded hazmat freight:

• DOT hazmat-certified drivers
• Proper placarding and documentation
• Compliance with 49 CFR Part 172-173
• Emergency response information
• Carrier insurance requirements

Examples: Paints, solvents, batteries, aerosols, cleaning products (properly packaged and classified).

Time-Sensitive Freight

When standard transit isn’t fast enough, see our Standard and Expedited Cargo services for time-critical shipments.

Service Levels & Options

Standard Transit Service

Typical transit times:

• Regional (up to 500 miles): 1-2 days
• Short-haul (500-1,000 miles): 2-3 days
• Mid-range (1,000-1,500 miles): 3-4 days
• Long-haul (1,500-2,500 miles): 4-6 days
• Coast-to-coast (2,500+ miles): 5-7 days

Service features:

• 98.2% on-time delivery performance
• Direct routing when possible
• Real-time tracking and visibility
• Proactive communication on delays
• Standard business hours delivery

Appointment Delivery

Scheduled delivery windows:

• Coordinate specific delivery date and time
• Warehouse or receiving appointment coordination
• Confirmation 24-48 hours in advance
• On-time arrival to meet your schedule

Ideal for: Facilities with strict receiving hours, JIT operations, coordinated multi-carrier deliveries.

Inside Delivery & White-Glove Service

Beyond dock delivery:

• Inside delivery to designated room or area
• Unpacking and debris removal
• Assembly or installation coordination
• Furniture placement and setup
• Protective floor coverings and care

Common for: Residential deliveries, office furniture, retail store fixtures, trade show materials.

Liftgate Service

Delivery to locations without docks:

• Hydraulic liftgate lowers freight to ground level
• Suitable for small businesses, residential, or remote locations
• Pallet jack service for ground-level movement
• Weight limits: Typically 3,000-4,000 lbs per pallet

Notify Before Delivery

Communication when you need it:

• Driver calls 1-2 hours before arrival
• Allows recipient to prepare for delivery
• Reduces wait times and failed deliveries
• Particularly important for residential or small business deliveries

Loading & Securement Best Practices

Palletized Freight

Standard pallet configurations:

• 48″ x 40″ GMA pallets (most common)
• Double-stacked when height allows
• Shrink-wrapped or banded for stability
• Maximum 26 standard pallets in 53-foot trailer

Load securement:

• Load bars and straps prevent shifting
• E-track tie-downs for additional security
• Air-ride suspension reduces vibration and shock
• Corner protectors prevent strap damage

Boxed & Carton Freight

Proper packaging prevents damage:

• Corrugated boxes rated for content weight
• Adequate cushioning and dunnage
• Shrink-wrap or banding for unitized loads
• Clear labeling with “This End Up,” “Fragile,” etc.

Mixed Loads

Combining different freight types:

• Heavier items loaded first (front and bottom)
• Lighter or fragile items toward rear and top
• Load bars segregate different shipments
• Careful weight distribution for safe handling

Technology & Visibility

Real-Time Tracking

Every Quality Wheels shipment includes:

• GPS tracking with 15-minute location updates
• ETA calculations based on traffic and conditions
• Geofencing alerts at pickup and delivery
• Milestone notifications (loaded, in-transit, delivered)
• Historical route playback

Access via our Guaranteed Shipment Visibility platform.

System Integration

Connect your systems with ours:

• TMS integration for automated tendering and tracking
• EDI document exchange (204, 214, 210, 990)
• API connectivity via AI-Driven & API-Integrated Logistics
• ERP integration for seamless freight management
• Automated POD delivery to your system

Proactive Communication

We keep you informed:

• Pickup confirmation with driver information
• In-transit updates for long-haul shipments
• Delay notifications with estimated resolution
• Delivery appointment confirmation
• Electronic POD within minutes of delivery

Industries We Serve

Quality Wheels’ dry van services support diverse industries:

Retail & E-Commerce — Store replenishment, DC transfers, omnichannel fulfillment Manufacturing — Raw materials, components, finished goods Food & Beverage — Dry goods, packaged foods, beverages Healthcare & Pharmaceutical — Medical supplies, pharmaceutical products Technology & Electronics — Consumer electronics, IT equipment Automotive — OE and aftermarket parts, accessories Consumer Goods — Apparel, home goods, personal care products Industrial Distribution — MRO supplies, industrial parts Building Materials — Packaged materials, hardware, fixtures

Pricing & Quote Process

Transparent Pricing Factors

Dry van rates are based on:

• Distance — Mileage between origin and destination
• Weight — Freight weight (under or over minimum charge)
• Freight class — NMFC classification affecting density and handling
• Accessorial services — Liftgate, inside delivery, appointment, etc.
• Market conditions — Seasonal demand and capacity availability
• Service level — Standard vs. expedited transit

No Hidden Fees

Our quotes include all costs upfront:

• Line haul transportation
• Fuel surcharge (FSC)
• Accessorial services requested
• Any tolls or permits required

What’s typically extra:

• Detention beyond free time (usually 2 hours)
• Redelivery due to refused shipment
• Storage if delivery is delayed by consignee
• Unscheduled stops or route changes

Request Your Quote

Provide us with:

• Origin and destination (city, state, zip)
• Freight description and dimensions
• Weight and number of pallets/pieces
• Any special requirements or services
• Preferred pickup and delivery dates

We’ll provide:

• Competitive rate quote
• Transit time estimate
• Available service options
• Equipment assignment timeline

Why Choose Quality Wheels for Dry Van Freight?

Elite Performance Metrics

• 98.2% on-time delivery — Among the highest in the industry
• 100% tender acceptance — Capacity you can count on
• 100% employee satisfaction — Drivers who care about your cargo

Award-Winning Excellence

• World’s Greatest Trucking Company (2025)
• Top Carrier #36 out of 360,000+ (2026)
• Great Place to Work Certified™

Modern Technology Platform

Our investment in technology provides:

• Real-time visibility and tracking
• System integration capabilities
• AI-driven route optimization
• Proactive exception management

Customer-Focused Service

• Dedicated account management for regular customers
• 24/7 dispatch support for urgent needs
• Flexible solutions tailored to your requirements
• Customer Success Management with periodic reviews

Strategic Midwest Location

Schaumburg, IL headquarters (2328 Hammond Drive Suite A, Schaumburg, IL 60173) provides:

• Excellent access to Chicago logistics hub
• Major interstate corridor connections
• Strong Midwest and Great Lakes network
• Nationwide reach with regional expertise

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between FTL and LTL dry van? FTL (Full Truckload) dedicates entire trailer to your freight; LTL (Less-Than-Truckload) combines multiple shippers’ freight. FTL is faster, more secure, and better for 10+ pallets or 15,000+ lbs.

Can you transport temperature-sensitive products in dry vans? Dry vans aren’t climate-controlled. For temperature-sensitive cargo, we coordinate refrigerated service through specialized partners.

Do you offer consolidated or shared truckload? Yes, for partial loads we can coordinate LTL service or shared truckload (combining compatible shipments) to reduce costs.

How do you ensure cargo security? Sealed trailers, GPS tracking, vetted drivers, insurance, and security protocols for high-value cargo. Team drivers available for extra-valuable shipments.

Can you deliver to residential addresses? Yes, with liftgate and notification services. Residential delivery may require appointment scheduling and incurs additional fees.

What if my freight is oversized or unusually shaped? If it doesn’t fit in a standard dry van, see our Open Deck Trailers or Overweight & Over-Dimensional Shipments services.

Do you offer dedicated dry van service? Absolutely! See our Dedicated Lanes for recurring routes with guaranteed capacity.

Reliable Dry Van Service for Your Every Shipment

Trust Quality Wheels for secure, on-time dry van transportation backed by industry-leading performance metrics. From general freight to specialty cargo, our 108-truck fleet and award-winning service deliver results you can count on.

Get your dry van quote today:

📞 Call: (847) 457-0990 📧 Email: [email protected] 🌐 Inquire: Request Freight Quote 📍 Location: 2328 Hammond Drive Suite A, Schaumburg, IL 60173

Ready to Get Started?

Partner with an award-winning carrier trusted by shippers nationwide.