How to Make a Dry Van
Driving down the highway, you look over to your right and see a transport truck in the lane beside you. Stretched out from the cab is a trailer. Usually white, these trailers carry products from one area to the next and are an integral part of shipping systems today -- they are also called dry vans. Dry vans are transport trucks that haul dry materials not requiring refrigeration or heat/cooling control. Build your own dry van at home using your vehicle and a trailer.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Challenging
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- 6-foot-by-10-foot trailer
- 2-by-4 wood, 17 pieces
- Saw
- Drill and screws
- 8-foot-by-10-foot plywood, 6 sheets
- Reciprocating saw
- Hinges
- Doorknob
- Duct tape
- Vehicle with a trailer hitch
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1
Use a saw to cut two pieces of 2-by-4 wood to the length of the inside of the trailer floor -- generally under 10-feet.
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2
Secure the 2-by-4 pieces to the right and the left of the trailer floor using the drill and screws.
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3
Cut two pieces of 2-by-4 wood to the width of the inside of the trailer floor. These pieces should sit on the inside of the lengthwise 2-by-4 pieces and be flush with them.
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4
Secure the width-wise pieces to the trailer floor at the front and the back using the drill and screws.
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5
Cut six pieces of 2-by-4 wood to the height of your trailer. For best results, ensure that the height is between 5 feet and 7 feet.
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6
Secure each of these 2-by-4 pieces vertically into each corner of the trailer.
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7
Secure the remaining two 2-by-4 pieces vertically onto the trailer in the center of the right- and left-hand sides of the trailer.
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8
Cut and secure 2-by-4 pieces horizontally to the tops of the vertical beams. This should create a box-type frame on the trailer.
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9
Cut and secure a 2-by-4 piece from the left to right vertical beams in the center of the side of the trailer for added support.
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10
Use the plywood sheets to cover in the entire frame.
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11
Use a reciprocating saw to cut a door out of the plywood sheet at the back.
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12
Secure the plywood door back into its place by attaching the hinges to the door and the trailer box.
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13
Install the door handle to the door using the instructions that came with the door handle when it was purchased.
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14
Tape all seams in the plywood with the duct tape to reduce the amount of drag on the unit from wind while driving.
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15
Build shelving and other storage or shipping requirements into the unit.
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16
Attach the trailer to your vehicle to complete the dry van.
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1
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References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
